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The WURD Chat FAQ
This page contains answers to common questions asked in the worldnet.help.* newsgroups about chatting on AT&T Worldnet Service. We also added some tips and tricks that we have found useful and have presented here as questions. If you're new to chat, be sure to read our Chat Tutorial.
Does AT&T Worldnet Service provide...
- Does AT&T Worldnet Service provide an IRC server?
- Does AT&T Worldnet Service provide access to Web based chat?
What is (are)...
- What is IRC?
- What is the Undernet?
- What is a Nick Collision Kill?
- What is a netsplit? Why does everybody keep signing on and off?
- What is NickServ?
- What is a bot?
- What is a channel operator? What is an IRC operator?
- What is my Local Host name?
- What is my IP Address?
- What is a nickname?
- What is the port number to use to connect to IRC?
Where can I find...
- Where are the chat rooms?
- Where can I find a safe environment for my kids to chat?
- Where can I find Instructions on configuring my chat software?
- Where can I find information on chatting on the Undernet?
- Where can I find a list of servers for ICQ?
Can I...
- Can I chat with my AOL friends while using AT&T Worldnet Service?
- Can I create my own Web based chat room?
- Can I talk with someone privately on IRC?
How do I...
- How do I get on IRC?
- How do I know which IRC server I should use?
- How do I keep people from seeing my real name? I've done a /whois on myself and other people, and I notice that my real name shows up in parentheses.
- How do I complain about someone kicking/banning me from a channel?
- How do I create a new channel?
What's going on?
- I keep getting messages telling me to type something cryptic?
- I've been K-lined and I can't connect to certain IRC servers?
Does AT&T Worldnet Service provide an IRC server?
No, I'm afraid not! There are a lot of servers available for your use though. You'll find information about some of the IRC networks below:
Most IRC programs also have lists of available IRC Network and Servers.
Where can I find instructions on configuring my chat software
We have provided configuration information for a number of chat clients. You will also find links to the latest versions of the software.
What is IRC?
IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. It was originally written by Jarkko Oikarinen in 1988. Since starting in Finland, it has been used in over 60 countries around the world. IRC is a multi-user chat system, where people meet on channels (rooms, virtual places, usually with a certain topic of conversation) to talk in groups, or privately.
How do I get on IRC?
First, you have to make sure an IRC client (program) is installed on your computer.
How do I know which IRC server I should use?
Try to choose a server that is close to you. As a rule of thumb, servers that are close geographically are also close network-wise (which is what matters) but this rule of thumb is not always true.
What is a Nick Collision Kill?
After a netsplit, a net-join begins on both halves of the merging network, and people that existed with the same nicknames can be killed. This can happen frequently with popular nicknames.
What is a netsplit? Why does everybody keep signing on and off?
Netsplits are (unfortunately) a routine part of IRC life. The above message means that NickName, who was on a channel with you, was on a different server from you and this server split off from the part of the net you are on.
How do I keep people from seeing my real name? I've done a /whois on myself and other people, and I notice that my real name shows up in parentheses.
In the setup of your IRC client simply state a fake real name or none at all.
What is NickServ?
On the Dalnet IRC network a NickServ allows users to register and effectively own nicknames.
What is a bot?
A bot is short for robot. Bots are normally not needed on IRC. A bot generally tries to protect a channel from takeovers. It is important to know that many IRC servers ban ALL bots. Some IRCOps ban domains if you run a bot on their server. On IRC you will find a lot of people with a love/hate attitude towards bots.
I keep getting messages telling me to type something cryptic.
Never type anything anyone tells you to without knowing what it is. There is a problem with typing a certain command with the IRC client that gives anyone immediate control of your client (and thus can alter your account environment also). The people that ask you to do that sometimes want to cause harm.
How do I complain about someone kicking/banning me from a channel?
Discuss it with the current channel operators, and them alone. Given the dynamic nature of channels, channel operators do not need to have a *reason* to kick you off. They decide what goes on in the channel. If you should get banned or kicked from a channel, you are always free to start your own channel and decide what is appropriate content there.
How do I create a new channel?
A channel (room) is automatically created as soon as the first person joins it. If you join a channel and you find your name as the only one there, you just created that channel. Channels on IRC are dynamic in the sense that anyone can create a new channel, and a channel disappears when the last person leaves it.
What is a channel operator? What is an IRC operator?
A channel operator (ChanOp or Op) is someone with a @ by their nickname in a channel's names list, or a @ before the channel name in a /whois. Channel operators are the 'rulers' of a particular channel. This means they can kick you out of their channel for any reason. An IRC operator (IRCop) is someone who maintains a server or part of the IRC network. They cannot fix channel problems. They cannot kick someone out of a channel for you.
I've been K-lined and I can't connect to certain IRC servers.
Why do some servers disconnect me? Some servers restrict access to local users and might therefore close or not even accept a connection from you. Bad behavior by you or your friends, customers from your provider or an entire country may also be restricted from using certain servers.
What is my Local Host name
The Local Host name is the name you or your provider assigned to your PC. It can be a single word or a name equivalent to your IP Address.
What is my IP Address?
Your IP Address is the address your PC uses on the Internet. It is usually a set of 4 numbers or its equivalent IP Name.
What is a nickname?
On IRC you are known to others by a nickname. You are free to choose any nickname you like, up to 9 characters long. It is also very common to find people that use the same nickname and you may be asked or choose to switch nicknames to avoid confusion.
What is the port number to use to connect to IRC?
In general, the port number to use is 6667. Some, but not all, servers listen to other ports (most commonly in the 6665-6670 range). When in doubt, select port 6667 (Dalnet usually uses port 7000). If you're using the AT&T Worldnet Service IRC server, use any port between 6660-6669.
Where can I find a list of servers for ICQ?
You can find additional ICQ server lists at the following location:
Can I chat with my AOL friends while using AT&T Worldnet Service?
Yes, there are a few ways that you can do it. You can use AOL's Instant Messenger, IRC or ICQ. If you use IRC or ICQ, your AOL friends will also have to have that type of software on their system. See Chat for downloading and configuration instructions.
Does AT&T Worldnet Service provide access to Web based chat?
Yes. See the AT&T Worldnet Service Perks Features page for details.
Where can I find the chat rooms?
Read our Chat Tutorial, then see the AT&T Worldnet Service Perks Features page for additional information on chatting.
Where can I find a safe environment for my kids to chat?
I'm not sure that there is such a thing. There are things that you can do to help make it a safer environment though. You can download and install one of the programs mentioned on the following page:
Can I create my own Web based chat room?
Yes, you can if you have a personal Web page on AT&T Worldnet Service. See the following page for details.
Can I talk with someone privately on IRC?
Yep, and it's called DCC Chat. Check the Help section of your IRC client for instructions.
What is the Undernet?
You'll find this description at the Undernet Website:
"The Undernet is one of the largest Internet Relay Chat networks in the world, with an array of servers that spans three continents and links an online community of over 20,000 people."
Where can I find information on chatting on the Undernet?
The Undernet IRC Primer is an excellent source of information.
Need Additional Help?
If you can't find the answers you need, please try:
- The help file for the application you are using.
- Our FAQs.