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What is Chat?

Internet Relay Chat - IRC - is a technique for allowing several users on the internet to join in a real-time text conversation. To start with you must all be connected to the same server - the server acts to distribute the text messages. Secondly, each server manages several conversations, known as channels or chatrooms - you must join one of these channels. Thereafter, you will receive messages from others in the same channel as they are sent and anything you send will be received by all of the others.

In addition, separately from the main channel conversation, you can have a private chat with any individual in the channel.

How do I get started?

Firstly you need a program called an IRC client. This will usually store settings to allow easy access to your most frequently used server and channel(s). It will usually allow you to enter and edit text before sending it and provide other features such as file sending and receiving and video conferencing.

The clients will also allow you to set up your own channel on a server and configure the behaviour of that channel whilst you are connected to it. Such things as determining who is allowed to join a channel and who might be kicked off, possibly for offensive behaviour, are determined by the Channel Operator who is usually the person who set the channel up.

What’s the difference between different chat software?

All pieces of software have their advocates and there is no harm in downloading all and trying them, though you will have to set them up separately. You will be able to use the same settings in each so that as far as others on a channel are concerned they will not readily be able to tell which you are using.

All allow for basic chatting with the inclusion of easily used features such as changing the colour and attributes of text, privately chatting to others, sending and receiving files.

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