Frequently Asked Questions
About Chat
IRC is real-time chat where people from around the globe can type messages to one another. You can `chat' with as many people as your fingers can handle. Your messages appear on their screens just seconds after you type it. Nobody sees you or hears you, all they know is what you choose to disclose. All that's needed to discover the joys of IRC is an Internet connection and an IRC client program.
Once you've installed and launched IRC for the first time, you will need to enter some basic details about yourself and how you wish to connect to IRC. Now you need to connect to an IRC 'server', a computer where all the action happens.
IRC "channels" are like individual rooms where conversations take place. Channels always begin with a hash symbol (#) followed by a name which indicates the nature of the conversations (and the people) in that channel. Depending on what IRC network you are on there can be hundreds or thousands of channels active, each containing anywhere from one user to hundreds. Channels can also be private, in that you have to be invited to join them, but the majority are public, and as long as you watch your online manners, you will be welcome to join in.
