General Chatting Help

What is IRC, and how does it work?

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) provides a way of communicating in real time with people from all over the world. It consists of various separate networks (or "nets") of IRC servers, machines that allow users to connect to IRC. Generally, the user (such as you) runs a program (called a "client") to connect to a server on one of the IRC nets. The server relays information to and from other servers on the same net.

Check out our IRC Scripts/Clients pages for more information clients

Once connected to an IRC server on an IRC network, you will usually join one or more "channels" and converse with others there. On AustChat there are many different channels each devoted to a different topic. Conversations may be public (where everyone in a channel can see what you type) or private (messages between only two people, who may or may not be on the same channel).

IRC is not a "game", and we highly recommend you treat people you meet on IRC with the same courtesy as if you were talking in person or on the phone, remember there is a real person on the other end of that screen with real feelings just like you.

IRC in more detail...

Channel names usually begin with a #, as in #Lounge . The same channels are shared among all IRC servers on the same net, so you do not have to be on the same IRC server as your friends. (There are also channels with names beginning with a & instead of a #. These channels are not shared by all servers on the net but exist locally on that server only.)

Each user is known on IRC by a "nick" or "nickname", such as smartgal or FunGuy. To avoid conflicts with other users, it is best to use a nick that is not too common, e.g., "john" is a poor choice. On some nets, nicks do not belong to anyone, nor do channels. On AustChat we have services, which allow "registration" or ownership of nicknames and channels to avoid this problem

Channels are run by channel operators, or just "ops" for short, who can control the channel by choosing who may join (by "banning" some users), who must leave (by "kicking" them out), and even who may speak (by making the channel "moderated")! Channel ops have complete control over their channel, and their decisions are final.

If you are banned from a channel, send a /msg to a channel op and ask nicely to be let in (see the /who command in the next section to learn how to find ops). If they ignore you or /who gives no response because the channel is in secret mode (+s), just go somewhere else where you are more welcome.

IRC servers are run by IRC admins and by IRC operators, or "IRC ops". IRC ops manage the general running of the network here in AustChat and on many other networks, do not get involved in personal disputes, channel takeovers, restoring lost ops, etc. They are not "IRC cops."

Where to chat.

You can learn a lot by joining a channel and just listening and talking for a while. For starters, come and check out our main channel #Lounge and say hi to everyone, we're a friendly bunch and we don't bite!

To form your own channel with the name #mychannel (if #mychannel does not already exist), type /join #mychannel. The channel is created and you are automatically made an op. To register your channel for future use "ownership" please check out the help pages for services, specifically ChanServ.

Remember, when you are in someone elses channel, you are a guest just as if you were in their own home. Treat them and the other chatters in the room with courtesy and respect.