irc channel Options

[*disco infiltrator*]

ATTENTION! Those who do not have an IRC Client or do not want one can use this for now: JAVA IRC

Be sure to type in you CB Username (and press enter) in the bottom right once you have connected and joined the channel!

We have created a Createblog IRC channel!

If you don't know what IRC is:

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a form of instant communication over the Internet. It is mainly designed for group (many-to-many) communication in discussion forums called channels, but also allows one-to-one communication.

IRC was created by Jarkko Oikarinen (nickname "WiZ") in late August 1988 to replace a program called MUT (MultiUser talk) on a BBS called OuluBox in Finland. Oikarinen found inspiration in Bitnet Relay Chat which operated on the Bitnet network.

IRC gained prominence when it was used to report on the Soviet coup attempt of 1991 throughout a media blackout. It was later used in a similar fashion by Kuwaitis during the Iraqi invasion.

Our channel is #createblog on the DALnet server (irc.dal.net). We're going to try to replace the AIM chat with this one. It's easier for both us and you to create a friendly chat environment. I know a lot of people aren't familiar with IRC, but we are here to help. :)

If you have never used IRC before, he's a little tutorial I wrote up for you for IRC use on Gaim:

Weehoo! I'm gonna teach you guys how to use IRC on Gaim.

First and foremost, you'll need to download Gaim. Gaim is a program, much like Trillian, that supports many different protocols of instant messaging (AIM, MSN, ICQ, IRC, Yahoo, etc.). It's an open source program, which means the source of the code the program uses is open and free for all to see and learn from. Open source programs like Gaim are ideal for use by those who wish to understand programming and for those wanting to customize their programs to fit their ideals. The program is also free, similar to pretty much any other open source program (Linux, Firefox, etc.).

Now, once you've gotten Gaim up and running, go to Tools > Accounts. Click "Add". At the top of the box, click on the drop-down menu and select "IRC". Under that is the textbox for "Screenname". This will be the name that you are presented as when you enter a new chat. It can always be changed, so you don't need to choose so carefully. Under that is the textbox for "Server". For our chat, you should use irc.dal.net. If that doesn't end up working out for you, PM either I or Kryo and we'll help you out. Now, under that is the choice for "Password". Just choose something. Yep. The "Alias" is optional, so you don't really need to worry about that.

Now, after you're done adding the new account, click "Save". Now on the main Account screen, click the little checkbox under "Online" next to your IRC account. It should sign you on without trouble. Close the Account screen.

Next, go to Buddies > Join Chat. Click on the dropdown menu and select the account you had made earlier. Put in "#createblog" as the channel and enter the password you did earlier into the "Password" textbox. Press "Join".

And there you are. :D

Have fun, and give it a try, please!