- IRC = Internet Relay Chat – It is the grandfather of all internet based chat applications, created in 1988, it predates the World Wide Web. IRC is a system that allows you to connect to a server, and join unique chat rooms (known as channels). You can be in multiple channels at once, send and receive private messages with other users, and even send and receive files.
- Server = The chat rooms (known as channels) are hosted on a server. There are hundreds of servers available. Our server name is irc.otherworlders.org.
- Network = IRC Servers are able to link together to form a network. This allows people to connect to a server that is physically closer to them, thereby decreasing lag.
- Lag = When your messages take longer than expected to show up at the other side. This is usually more prominent when people are connected to seperate servers in a network.
- Netsplit = When the connection between two or more servers is lost. When this happens, you will see a group of people suddenly quit at the same time. Servers usually join back together by themselves after a few minutes.
- Client = The client is the application you install on your computer and use to access the IRC server. There are IRC client applications for all operating systems.
- OSX – iChat, ircle
- Linux – xCHAT, ircii, irssi
- Windows – xCHAT, mIRC
- Firefox Plugin – Chatzilla
- Many web based apps all over the place.
- Channel = A “chat room”, unique to the server or network you are connected to. All Channels begin with the # sign. Like the #Training channel we will be joining later.
- User = You. An average chatter. No special rights on the server
- Op/Chanop = an administrator of a specific channel, on a specific server. When a channel is created, the first user to join the channel is granted Op rights, as indicated by an @ symbol next to their name. Channel Operators have the ability to set channel modes, set the topic, kick and/or ban people from channels, and they generally control what happens in their channel. We will cover Ops in more detail later in this training session.
- Oper/IRCop = Server Administrator, Have the ability to kick and/or ban from the server.
