IRC is totally international and multilingual. Its topics are
unlimited and uncensored by any corporate interest, and it runs twenty-four hours
a day. To participate, all you need is internet access and some simple software.
The beauty of IRC is that, although it has a fairly complex command set,
allows very sophisticated interaction with the world. It can be enjoyed at a superficial
level with just a few commands.
IRC itself is a teleconferencing system, which is well suited to running on any machine in a distributed fashion. A typical setup involves a single process (the server) forming a central point for clients (or other servers) to connect to, performing the required message, delivery, multiplexing and other functions.
SERVERS
The server forms the backbone of IRC, providing a point to which clients may connect to, forming the IRC network.
CLIENTS
There are different IRC clients available for use. These clients can be downloaded or accessed by your own internet provider. Some of the more popular clients are mIRC, wsIRC and IRCle for Macintosh.
GETTING
STARTED....
Now that you have your IRC client and a nearby server picked out, the next step is to connect to IRC and begin your journey in cyberspace. Most IRC clients require you to enter information, such as a userid and password. You are also required to pick a nickname. Nicknames may not be more than nine characters in length, and you may not use a nickname which is already in use by another user on IRC. If this should happen you will be prompted to choose another nickname. Under certain circumstances, known as "netsplits" (where a server splits from another) the nickname you choose may already be present but temporarily unrecognized to the client software. You will then be permitted to use the nickname, but sooner or later the original person with your nickname will rejoin, causing a condition as a nick collision. One or both of you will crash out of IRC.
IRC COMMANDS
All IRC commands begin with a forward slash (/). You will learn how to use these commands more efficiently as you go along. Click below for a list of general IRC commands. Remember IRC should be an enjoyable experience in which you can travel almost anywhere and meet people from around the world.
(The IRC Survival Guide, Staurt Harris)
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Server
Locations