IRC stands for "Internet Relay Channels". It is simply another portion
of the internet, but one that many people overlook. Like the Web,
Newsgroups, E-Mail, and others, you need a special program (client) to
connect and use an IRC server. Like any other part of the internet, it
doesn't cost you anything to use except whatever you pay to connect to
the internet in the first place.
IRC is used mainly for talking with a great deal of other people at the
same time, no matter what the physical distance. It can cut down on long
distance, or simply provide an easy way to gather friends together to
chat, or for that matter, meet new friends.
How does it work?
When you connect to an IRC server, it will normally send you some rules
and regulations for that specific site. At which point, you have full
control over your session. You may join channels, part channels, send
messages to a whole channel at once, or to a single person. At first
glance, it may seem like mayhem, but there is really quite a bit of
control available. If you join a channel that doesn't exist yet, you
create it. At this point you are considered an "Op" (operator). An op
has many extra options available to him/her in order to maintain order
in their channel. An op may give ops to someone else, or remove ops
from someone. An op may kick or ban someone from a channel, or invite
someone into that channel. The op may set the topic of the channel,
and quite a few other things.
Where do I start?
To get connected to an IRC server, you need an IRC client. We suggest
the following applications to get started as easily as possible.
