Introduction to IRC

Several IRC clients are available from our ftp server. You can download them from ftp.netdoor.com/pub/.

Much more information on IRC is available at www.irchelp.org.

Irc is a multi-user, multi-channel chatting network. It allows people all over the Internet to talk to one another in real-time. Each irc user has a nickname they use. All communication with other users is either by nickname or by the channel that they or you are on. All IRC commands begin with a / character. Anything that does not begin with a / is assumed to be a message that is sent to everyone on your channel. Here is a list of basic commands to help you get started:

  /SERVER <ircserver> Connects you to an irc server.  You must
                      be connected to a server to use irc.
                      Here are a few servers to get you started:

                      irc.emory.edu
                      irc.mindspring.com
                      irc.ais.net
                      irc.lagged.org

  /LIST               Lists all current irc channels, number
                      of users, and topics
  /NAMES              Shows the nicknames of all users on each
                      channel
  /JOIN <channel>     Join the named channel.  All non-commands 
                      you type will now go to everyone on that
                      channel
  /MSG <nick> <msg>   Sends a private message to the specified
                      person.  Only the specified nickname will
                      see this message.
  /NICK               Change your nickname
  /QUIT               Exits irc.
  /HELP <topic>       Gets help on all IRCII commands.
  /WHO <channel>      Shows who is on a given channel,
                      including nickname, user name and host,
                      and realname.
  /WHOIS <nick>       Shows the "true" indentity of someone
                      Use this often to make sure you know who 
                      you are talking to, because nicknames
                      are NOT owned so any number of people
                      could use a nickname.

These commands should get you started on irc. Use the /HELP command to find out more about things on irc, or ask question of people... most would be happy to help you out, or you can send email to ircadmin@netdoor.com. Much more info is available at www.irchelp.org