IRC is some kind of communication, using the computer and the internet....which allows millions of people around the world, to gather in just one place...to meet and to "socialize". The term "chat" is used to explain the "talking" we do in typing on IRC.
Life may not be easy on IRC, you can get kicked out...banned...or even ignored, just like in real life. It's a community within the new world of cyberspace. It's a place to relax, to get addicted and to enjoy yourselves, talking to friends or even strangers!!
First of all, you need a computer, a modem, a phone line! and of course Internet access. Once connected to the net, you have to acquire an IRC Client. A Client is a program which helps you connect to the Servers ( Efnet, Dalnet, Undernet...etc )..in other words..the " IRC World ". Clients ( MIRC for Windows and IRCII for Unix .and IRCLE for Macintosh platforms) ..can downloaded free from various websites on the Net. ( just do a search for IRC Clients )
Once you have the IRC client, everything is in your hands. You just need to connect to any server....and get onto a channel to chat. You will need to think of a nickname, which will help other people identify you on the channel you are on. Once you found out how to work everything out...I guarantee you that you'll be going onto the most addictive adventure of your life!! Yes ADDICTIVE!! You have been warned :)
Here comes the most interesting part.....Why Interesting?? cos #Mauritius channel is the BEST channel on the IRC world!! You get to meet not only Mauritians ( like myself )..but our friends from all over the world ( Canada, UK, France, South Africa, Singapore, Australia....you name it! ). We speak English, French and Creole normally, but some times, you can even hear some chinese, africaans.....or even other weird languages :)
To get onto the #Mauritius channel :
(1) Connect to any EFNET server. [ irc.ionet.net-port 6665-6669; irc.nol.net- port 6667; irc.voicenet.com -port 6667 ] just to name a few..
(2) Once connected, join the #Mauritius channel by typing /join #Mauritius
(3) chat away!! You might even find me on the channel chatting with my friends. My nickname is Wendles!
Basic Tips once you get connected:
To find out who is on a channel, type /who #Mauritius
To message someone , type /msg [nickname] message
To ignore someone annoying, type /ignore [nickname]
To find out who a person is, type /w [nickname] or /whois [nickname
To part a channel, type /p #Mauritius [message]
To quit IRC with a message, type /quit [message]