IRC stands for "Internet Relay Chat", a section of
the Internet where people communicate, one-on-one or in groups, by typing messages
which are instantly viewed by others on their computer screens. This interchange
is known as "chatting".
How the IRC Works: An Overview
![](\"overview.gif\")
In the above illustration, we'll follow how three IRC users gain access to the
IRC and ultimately interact.
First, realize that IRC is a separate protocol, such as FTP and HTTP. This means
that you need to access an IRC server. There are IRC servers in almost every
country in the world. It's best to connect to one near you (maybe a little tricky
in some areas of the world, but not that difficult).
Important Note: Some people have the misconception that you need to be logged
onto the same server as another person in order to talk to them. This is not
true at all. Anyone accessing through one server is able to talk to anyone else
accessing through another server as easily as if they were on the same one!
Let's say that our chatters, Kim, Joe, and Karl, have successfully found a server
in their area and have fired up their IRC clients. They simply type the name
of the server into their client, then the client logs onto the server. If all
goes well, they will then be on the IRC. Not too tough.
Now they can join a channel, or channels, of choice. Notice that Joe, Karl and
Kim are in the same channel, one called "#ircbar". (Channel names
always start with the "#" sign.) This means they can carry on a realtime
conversation with one another, even though they are a world apart and are accessing
the IRC through different servers. Amazing what technology can do, eh?
You may notice that Kim and Joe are in two channels at once. This is entirely
possible, but not recommended. It doesn't hurt anything, but it makes keeping
up with conversations more difficult.
You may also notice that Karl's name is highlighted. This means that either
he has created the channel, or has been given operator ("ops")
status by another channel operator. Operators monitor the channel for disruptions
and decide how to deal with any troublemakers.
So you see, the IRC enables people from all over the world to come together
and converse on many subjects, without spending a dime on long distance charges
or airline tickets.
IRC Terminology
Channel |
An individual gathering place for users to
communicate. (Online services, such as America Online, refer to such areas
as chat "rooms".) Channel names are always preceded by a "#"
(pound) sign. |
DCC |
DCC stands for "Direct Client to Client"
and is a way of chatting or sending files directly to another person's
IRC program. No data is sent through IRC servers, resulting in a faster
connection. There are three DCC commands: "/dcc send" which
sends a file directly to another user; "/dcc get" which receives
a file sent by another user; and "/dcc chat" which opens a private
chat area between you and the other user. |
EFNet |
Stands for "Eris Free Net", The
"Original IRC" network of servers. Because of the massive number
of users, EFNet is plagued by problems with netsplits and lags. In response,
various other IRC networks have sprung up. |
Flame |
Derogatory comments communicated in a posting
to a newsgroup. |
Flame War |
When a discussion degenerates into nothing
but a series of personal attacks, or flames (see above). |
Lag |
When a server's processing slows dramatically
because of an overload caused by the sheer number of users. Many popular
servers lag almost all the time. |
M.O.T.D. |
Short for "message of the day",
a message displayed in the status window when you first connect to a server. |
Netsplit |
When a server disconnects because of an overload
caused by the sheer number of users. The server automatically reconnects,
but it may take anywhere from 2-15 minutes to do so. |
Nickname ("Nick") |
Your self-chosen "alias" or alter
ego on the IRC, which can be anything you want up to nine letters. |
Notify |
A user can set up a "notify" list
of other users. When any of them log on to an IRC server, the person with
the notify list is informed. |
Operator ("Op") |
The moderator or "boss" of a channel.
Responsible for setting the topic of the channel and keeping out any troublemakers.
(There may be more than one "op" in a channel.) |
Private Chat |
Communicating with just one other person at
a time. This can be accomplished with the slash command "/msg"
followed by the person's nickname which will display your message only
on that person's screen. An alternative method is DCC
chat, which will set up a direct link between your computer and his. |
Server |
The computer and/or computer program that
supplies the information and resources that enable IRC to work. |
Undernet |
A separate IRC network created by EFNet users
disillusioned by too many netsplits and lags caused by the strain put
on servers by the huge numbers of users. The Undernet is not as well known,
so there are far fewer users and thus far fewer problems of this type. |
/ (Slash) Commands
There are many actions which you can take while in an IRC session
by typing different bits of text preceded by the "/" slash.
Sometimes you add optional information after the command, and always you complete
the operation by pressing ENTER or RETURN. Here are some of the most common.
/away |
|
To notify others that you are temporarily
away from your computer. You may type a short message after the "/away"
command which will be displayed to others. |
/bye |
|
Used to sign off. You may type a short message
after the "/bye" command which will be displayed in the channel. |
/dcc chat |
|
Opens a private chat area directly between
you and another user. |
/dcc get |
|
Receives a file sent directly by another
user (not through the IRC server). |
/dcc send |
|
Sends a file directly to another user (not
through the IRC server). |
/ignore |
|
Use this command with a nick (i.e., "/ignore
joeblow") and any messages from this user will not appear on your
screen. Useful for blocking a pest or harasser. |
/join |
|
Use this command followed by the name of
a channel (i.e., "/join #chatzone") in order to connect to
that channel. |
/leave |
|
Disconnects from the current channel. You
don't need to specify the channel name. |
/list |
|
Will produce a list of every channel currently
active on the IRC. Frowned upon because it taxes the server and will
probably result in your being disconnected. |
/me |
|
A way of putting a message identified as
from you to the channel (i.e., if your nick is sammy, "/me is hungry"
will display "sammy is hungry" to the channel.) |
/msg |
|
Use this command followed by a nickname
to send a private message which appears only on the screen of the person
whose nick you have entered. If you'd like to open a separate window
for your communication with this person, use "/query"
instead of /msg. |
/nick |
|
Use this command if you want to change the
nickname which identifies you in the channel. |
/notify |
|
Use this command followed by a nickname(s)
so that when any of them log on to an IRC server, you will be informed. |
/part |
|
Disconnects from the current channel. You
don't need to specify the channel name. |
/query |
|
Use this command followed by a nickname
(1) to send a private message which appears only on the screen of the
person whose nick you have entered, and (2) to open a separate window
on your screen for your communication with just that person. If you
don't need to open a separate window, use "/msg" instead. |
/quit |
|
Means what it says -- quits the session,
not just the channel. |
/server |
|
Use this command to change the server to
which you are connected. |
/topic |
|
A command used by a channel operator to
set the topic which will display when someone accesses the channel. |
/who |
|
Use this command followed by the channel
name displays a list of all users currently in the channel. |
/whois |
|
Use this command followed by a nickname
will display information about that user, such as e-mail address, username
and the IRC server to which they are connected. |
Getting Connected: EFNet, Undernet &
Other Nets
EFNet
EFNet (stands for Eris Free Net) is the oldest and largest network of IRC servers,
but several alternative networks have sprung up because of the problems generated
on EFNet by its sheer size and popularity. The list of servers provided with
your IRC software are probably all EFNet servers, unless they are specifically
identified as part of the Undernet.
Netsplits and Lags
A netsplit is a disconnection of a server because of an overload caused by the
sheer number of users. The server automatically reconnects, but it may take
anywhere from 2-15 minutes to do so. A lag is a noticable slowing of the flow
of messages on a server, even though it doesn't completely disconnect as in
a netsplit.
Undernet
The most popular alternative IRC network, created by EFNet users disillusioned
by too many netsplits and lags. The Undernet is not as well known, so there
are fewer users and thus fewer problems of this type. However, it is growly
rapidly and may soon rival EFNet in its userbase. Here's a link to a Web site
which maintains a list of Undernet servers: IRC
Undernet Servers.
Other Nets
Here are several other IRC server networks and some links to more information
and where to find their servers.
DalNet -- was originally created
as a haven for the #startrek channel on EFNet, but has grown substantially beyond
that limited emphasis.
UpperNet
-- is relatively new, but growing fast. The atmosphere is very loose.
ChatNet -- is a friendly,
family oriented alternative.
AnotherNet -- also bills
itself as a clean, family-oriented space for conversation.
GalaxyNet --
is a brand new network dedicated to channels related to computer game playing.
Info-x : Info-x Tutorials and Documents : Tutorials
Topic: IRC - An Overview
Topic: IRC - An Overview
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