How To Use Chat

By: Ed Gagle

This article will focus on the IRC (Internet Relay Chat), since it is the largest international chat forum.
For this discussion you will need a good chat program, which we recommend MIRC
available at MIRC.COM. A series of networks host chat servers through the use of server daemons
or programs which can host quiet a few people.

In order to get started - you will need to go to a chat channel, and in order to this, you
will need to log onto a chat server.

We will use a random undernet chat server for example.

Chat servers are identified by their alphanumeric names such as us.undernet.org:6667
The numbers after the name designate which port they are located.

The chat program will use this port to communicate. Usually chat servers go from about
6667 to 6669.

Once you have selected a chat server from the dialogue box, you will need to know these
commands and rules.

Rules:
Typing in all capitals is considered SHOUTING and is regarded as rude.
People with a @ sign in front of their names are Operators - if you offend one of them,
they can ban or kick you off of the channel you are in.
People with a + sign are considered special guests - it designates the person as a "visitor"
these are people who have made special acquaintance with the Operators.
There are quiet a few unwritten rules, some operators do not like to be messaged,
so use some common sense, and talk to people as you would if you were talking
to them in person.

Commands:
To use a command, you will need to type a "/" before the command

LIST - by typing /list you can view all the channels available on a server - be forewarned
it can take a while to view all the channels (rooms). The numbers before the channel
descriptions designates how many people are in that room at the current time.

JOIN - Allows you to join a channel and start talking with the people inside.
You use this command by typing /JOIN #channel (where channel is the name of
the room you want to visit) for example /join #music will join the MUSIC channel.

Thats really all you need to get started. View the help files that come with your
chat program to get a better understanding of more advanced commands, such
as sending files or playing sounds.