IRC (Internet Relay Chat)

[Raiden no Kishi]

Hello everyone. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with IRC chat and could offer some info, since I was looking at it mostly out of interest (having heard of it at random places). I'd like to know what advantages it offers over the popular instant messaging clients available, what possible dangers there are to using it, and basically a brief explanation of what it is and why it exists. I hope that isn't asking too much.

Thanks.

.rai//

[Slater]

Yes, I use it. It's not really supposed to be compared with IM programs, which are kinda made for 1on1 talking, whereas IRC is made for multiuser chatting. IRC is kewl cause you can do a lot more stuff with it than you can with other typical chatroom enviroments.

[Anime Dad]

IRC is not for the faint-hearted..... it's not exactly user-friendly compared to instant messenger programs. It's been around longer than instant messengers, and you need to know the right commands to use it properly.

[Mithrandir]

AD is very astute. I tend to shy away from IRC. Though I have to admit that our CAA chat is based in part on IRC syntax. I hope it's a bit more user friendly, though.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I use mIRC to download some stuff. Namely scanlations for manga such as 20th Century Boys and stuff. It's relatively safe, a pain to use. And some more "elite" people will tend to make in fun of newbs.

[LorentzForce]

I'd like to know what advantages it offers over the popular instant messaging clients available, what possible dangers there are to using it, and basically a brief explanation of what it is and why it exists. I hope that isn't asking too much.

What it is: A chat protocol, most often for group talking, rather than one on one.

Why it exists: Because people like to talk to each other, duh. If you want to know where it comes from,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRC is a nice place to find out exactly where.

Advantages: Very nice way to talk to a lot of people at once. Imagine talking in a room. Also, the protocol is very well known, and there are many clients (programs) to choose from. Also, it's pretty much text-only, which keeps clutter away.

Disadvantages: Can take some time to set it up, considering people who barely knows how to turn on a computer, and you have to know which server and channel to go to, unlike you making a list of people you know.

Dangers: Only if you use very old outdated clients. Good example is using old versions of mIRC purely to get around the nagging shareware screen. You have been warned, such programs get patches and upgrades for very good reasons.