Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

"Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, but most of the things they make it easier to do don't need to be done."
-- Andy Rooney

Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

Internet Relay Chat is a multi-user chat system, where people log into "channels" (usually centered around a specific topic) to talk publicly -- in groups -- or privately.

IRC is like a huge, international party going on 24 hours a day. In each part of the room (channels), smaller groups of people are talking about a different topics. You are can wander from group to group, listening to the various discussions, and if yo u wish, you can join in.

IRC is where people meet and talk in real time. The subjects of discussion are manifold. At any one time there are several hundred conversations taking place. You can look through a list of topics and join any chat group that interests you.

When you choose IRC from the menu you are automatically connected to a public computer like irc.virginia.edu. By giving the /list command you will be able to see a VERY LONG list of all the individual channels by name. You then choose which channe l you want to join and start chatting to the other people on that channel simply by typing your comments and pressing [Enter].

How Do I Get On IRC?

The user runs a "client" program (usually called 'IRC') which connects to the IRC network via another program called a server. Servers exist to pass messages from user to user over the IRC network.

From the prompt in the UNIX SHELL, enter:

irc

There are also IRC clients that you can use with your PPP connection.

Basic IRC Commands

Here are the basic commands needed to conduct an IRC chat session:

/list
This will list ALL the chat groups by title. There is no way to stop the the list scrolling off the screen. One way to shorten it is to ask for a list of only those channels with a minimum or maximum number of participants. To do this, add -min or -ma x and a number to the list command. For example, /list -min 10 will display only those chat channels with a minimum of 10 people.
/join
The channel names are all preceded by the # symbol, which must be included in the name when you elect to join a channel. For example, /join #fishing will allow you to join a channel by that name and, presumably, talk about fishing.
/who *
You can use this command at any time to see who is on this channel with you.
/nick
This displays your current nickname. To create a nickname you can type, /nick nickname. Use whatever name you want to be known as in place of "nickname"
/msg nickname message
This is a way to send a private message to another person in your channel. The words "nickname" and "message" should be replaced by the nickname of the person you want to send the message to and your private message respectively.

Windows Internet Relay Chat Software
IRC Software -- Windows

Mac Internet Relay Chat Software
IRC Software -- Mac