How to Get Started with IRC Networks (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-02 02:12

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is an internet protocol that allows people to communicate with each other in real time using the text format (chat), see Wikipedia. However, it can be difficult to understand how it works.

Steps

Step 1. Download and install one of the IRC clients available on the internet

A client is the software used to interact with the chat environment. On Wikipedia you can find a comparison of various IRC clients here.

1. Multiplatform

   • Chatzilla is available as an extension for the SeaMonkey browser and the popular Mozilla Firefox browser.
   • Mibbit is an ajax IRC client accessible via the web.
   • The Opera browser includes a built-in IRC client.
   • Pidgin is a cross-platform instant messaging client that supports the IRC network, as well as AIM, Yahoo, Facebook and several other protocols.
   • Smuxi is a flexible, user-friendly and cross-platform IRC client inspired by the Irssi client, and is used by experienced users for the GNOME desktop of the GNU / Linux operating systems.
   • There are several terminal-based IRC clients; the most popular include WeeChat and Irssi. These two in particular are feature-rich and highly extensible, especially the former. Note that they are usually made for Unix-like operating systems, such as Linux and OS X.
   • There are a number of web clients that can be used to access IRC networks, and they can often be found on the website of the organization that has an IRC channel or room. However, these clients usually restrict access to a particular channel or network.
   • HexChat is the successor to the most popular Linux IRC client, XChat. It can probably be found in the software repository of the Linux distribution of your choice. Unlike XChat, HexChat is a completely open source software that can be used for free on all platforms.

2. For Windows

   • mIRC is the most popular IRC client available for Windows, as it is easily customizable. It is known as shareware and a 30-day license is granted to test the software, after which it can still be used, but registration is required for $ 20.
   • While mIRC is the most popular client, there are a number of other IRC clients available for free: ClicksAndWhistles, IceChat, and many platform-independent IRC clients.

3. For Linux

   • SourceForge hosts many IRC clients for Linux.
   • Konversation is a popular IRC client for KDE, which usually comes with the installation of the popular GNU / Linux distribution Kubuntu.

4. For Mac

   The most popular IRC clients for Mac systems include Colloquy, Ircle, Snak, and Linkinus. Colloquy is a free and open source client

   

   Step 2. Consult your client's user guide

   It will give you information on how to perform common tasks with the software.

   

   Step 3. The first thing you will need to do is provide the name you wish to be known by

   You can choose your real name or any other nick you prefer. Most people choose not to disclose their personal data.

   

   Step 4. Often the software will include a list of some of the most popular IRC servers in the world; you could consider them in case you don't find the servers you are interested in

   Client names often indicate a particular target audience they are targeting. Popular servers (also known as networks) include EFNet, and QuakeNet (a network generally intended for gamers). The top rated clients all have over 100,000 users online, 24 hours a day. WikiHow currently has an IRC room on the Freenode network. You can connect to any of these networks using your client. All IRC networks have addresses similar to web addresses (e.g. irc.freenode.net). Choose the server and press Connect.

   

   Step 5. Congratulations

   You just connected to an IRC server! You will notice that a rundown of information will appear at the beginning. You may find it useful to read them, as they include important warnings and information on the most popular channels (see below). This info also includes i terms of use which you will find on most IRC networks.

   

   Step 6. However, you can't just start chatting right away

   IRC networks can contain numerous rooms (or channels) that are used for conversations of a certain type, as there are often channels dedicated to a specific topic. You can easily join all conversations, unless a particular room is password protected. But first, you need to find a channel to access; you can do this using one of the common client functions which shows all channels available on the server. However, this functionality depends on the type of client.

   

   Step 7. After choosing a room to access (for example, # wikihow on irc.freenode.net) you can enter it by typing in the / join text box #channelname

   If you just can't find a room, most servers have a #help channel where you can forward your requests.

   

   Step 8. Chat freely

   Advice

   • Another IRC search engine
   • IRC networks are very useful for troubleshooting and problem solving! For example, many software programs have a support group where some representatives are continuously available. You can safely contact them for whatever you need.
   • Other links related to IRC networks:
   • IRC News
   • IRC search engine

   • If you need more information before going through these steps, you can read the following articles:

     • Wikipedia article on IRC networks
     • Living Internet article on IRC networks
     • ixibo.com article "The conceptual model of Internet Relay Chat (IRC)"
   • Most of the people on the IRC networks are very helpful, but it is best not to bore them. If you have any questions or want to post a comment, quickly check the channel topic to see if they've posted any recommendations.

   Warnings

   • As in any other area of society, there are always some disreputable and dangerous people. Obviously, Not never disclose your credit card number, and it is also advisable not to disclose your personal data, especially if you belong to a category of "vulnerable" people (eg minors). There are people in IRC who can pretend to represent someone else and try to earn your trust.
   • Keep in mind that there are some adult networks and channels.

   Some Wiki Related to IRC Channels

   • #wikihow (here) - WikiHow IRC channel
   • #wikipedia (here) - Wikipedia IRC channel
   • #wiktionary (here) - Wiktionary IRC channel
   • #wikisource (here) - WikiSource IRC channel
   • #wikibooks (here) - WikiBooks IRC channel
   • #wikimedia (here) - Wikimedia IRC channel
   • #wikinews (here) - WikiNews IRC channel
   • #wikiquote (here) - WikiQuote IRC channel

   • Note:

     to open one of these links you need a browser that recognizes the irc: // protocol of your IRC client.