| Home » Tutorial » Chat |
Chat
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a world wide system where multiple users can meet to talk in groups or privately. These conversations occur on channels which are similar to rooms or specific meeting places. Typically, there is one particular topic of conversation in each place or on each channel. You communicate with other people by typing what you want to say. Other people's comments appear on your computer screen prefaced by the speaker's name or nickname.
Getting Ready
Before you can participate in a chat group, you will need to install special software (a chat client) on your computer. This software is available as freeware or shareware on the Internet and is easy to install. There are many chat clients and any one will do to start. AT&T Worldnet Service does not provide chat software, but you can find information about using chat, and installing and using chat software at the AT&T Worldnet Service Chat Forum, and the WURD on Chat.
When you install the chat client, you will be asked for several pieces of information. Be sure to read the instructions that come with the software. Here are a few things to keep in mind. First, when you are asked for your name, you do not have to use your real name. Be aware that simply using an alias will not make you anonymous. Your computer can still be traced. You will also be asked to enter a nickname. You will be known by this nickname when participating in chat groups. You will be asked for information about your IP address. The IP Address is the location of your computer on the world wide telecommunications network that makes the Internet possible. Because your computer is only connected to the Internet when you dial into Worldnet, you do not have a permanent IP address. You get a new one every time you log in. So, you will need to tell the chat client that your IP Address is dynamic.
Participating
Once you have the chat client installed and are connected to a chat server you are ready to participate. All IRC commands begin with a slash(/).The two to get you started are /help to get help information and/list to get a list of all of the available channels. The output of /list is typically something like this:
#jason 14 Worldnet site design
#paris 21 speak french here
The channel names in the above list are #jason and #paris. All channel names start with a # or a &. The # channels are globally available while the & channels are restricted to users on your local IRC server. The number following the name is the number of people currently using this channel. After that comes the topic for this group. To join a channel, type /join #channel name. That's it! Once you get to the channel, you will see people talking. It will probably look like this:
<Gryph>Hi bona.
<Beako> yo, bona, whasup?
<Bona> Hi, Gryph, Beako. Moved my laptop outside. Trying to work, decided to investigate chat.
<Beako> bona...PUUUULLLLLLEEEEZZZ don't say you're workin'by a pool!!!
<Bona> Well...
Note that you will often come in during the middle of a conversation. Unless you're familiar with the channel you may want to sit and watch it for a minute or two to see what the conversation is about. Often the channel name has little or nothing to do with the topics of conversation on the channel. To start talking, just type! And when you're done saying what you have to say, just hit the Return or Enter key. You can start with something simple like "hello!". You don't have to type your nickname because IRC will insert it before all of your channel messages. If you choose to leave a channel, just type /part #channel name. A summary of the more basic commands follows:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| /help | Shows general help or help on the given command. |
| /list | Lists all current channels. |
| /list -min20 | Will show you channels with 20 or more members. |
| /join#name | Join channel #name |
| /part#name | Leave channel #name |
| /quit | Exits your IRC session |
| /nicknewname | Changes your nickname to newname |
| /away Gone to get a cup of coffee. | Leaves a message saying you're away (in this case getting a cup of coffee) |
| /whoisfred | Displays information about the person whose nickname is fred |
For More Information
- Ron Crook's mIRC Help Site
- mIRC Instructions for Net Newbies and Download Dummies
- IRC FAQIRC FAQIRC FAQindows
- UndernetIRC Info
- Newbie Guide to DALnet
On IRC you will find several channels intended to help you with simple as well as more difficult problems. You could give #irchelp, #ircnewbies,#new2irc, #newbies and #wasteland a try. Also most of the popular Windows based IRC clients have their own IRC channel.Check out #mirc, #virc, #interface and #wsirc.
Next: FTP