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Introduction to IRC
Internet Relay Chat or IRC is one of the most popular and most interactive services on the Internet. The IRC network is accessed through a chat server... a host computer on the Internet that runs the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) protocol. Chat servers allow users to join chat sessions called channels. It is not uncommon for a chat server to have dozens, hundreds or even thousands of chat channels open simultaneously. Although a channel's name usually reflects the general nature of the conversation within, each channel can also have a specific topic. Channel names tend to remain constant, while topics change continuously. For example, in a channel called "PC Users" the topic might be "Windows 95 Bug Fixes" one day and "How to Choose a High Speed Modem" the next day.
Channel topics are set by the person who creates or moderates the channel, called the channel operator or "op". Chat participants can exchange ideas about common interests, making chat sessions an ideal means to hold forums and group discussions. For example, many businesses now hold scheduled chat sessions, wherein customers can chat with company representatives about a new product, or exchange technical information and advice. Using a chat "client" or software application, you can exchange text messages interactively with other users. Some of the more popular chat clients are mIRC for Windows and Snak or Ircle for Macs. You can also choose from an extensive list of IRC clients from Boston University's Department of Computer Science ftp site. When logged into a chat session, you "converse" by typing messages that are instantly copied to other chat participants.
A word of caution... as in any free enterprise, there is a good deal of abuse of the resources of the IRC. There is indeed a great deal of sextalk, sleaze and garbage on the IRC, and one should exercise caution in allowing children to access the IRC without supervision. But, as an adult, you are free to visit only the channels you choose, and there is also a great deal of positive communication going on. Internet Relay Chat is a great way to talk to people from all over the world about anything at all. There are many help related and tech support channels where you can get immediate assistance with perplexing computer related problems on the spot and in easy to read typewritten form!
On IRC many people can simultaneously participate in discussions over a channel or even multiple channels. There are no limits to the number of people who can join a discussion and there is no limit to the number of channels that can be made. You are only limited by your typing speed. IRC can be fun and informative and is rapidly becoming one of the most popular areas of the Internet. And IRC will undoubtedly evolve over the next year or two with advancing technology... There are already various new software applications such as IRIS Phone and Internet Phone for Windows95 which permit one-on-one long distance telephone-like conversations on the Internet.
Occasionally you may come in contact with "IRC warriors" who delight in causing problems for other people. Flooding is a common way to cause you to be bumped off a channel. You can also be "kicked and banned" from a channel or sometimes from an entire network, although usually this won't happen unless an overzealous sysop has decided you have abused your privileges. One of the latest ploys is "nuking" other IRC'ers, launching what has been termed a DoS(Denial of Service) attack. This ploy has been called the "bonk" and causes a crash of the Windows TCP/IP stack and the dreaded BSoD(Blue Screen of Death), which renders your connection inactive until you reboot and reconnect.
Speaking of great developments.... It's not exactly IRC... but it is on-line chat... it's totally lag free, it's private with only invited guests in your chat window, allows file transfer and uses an IRC-like interface. It's called ICQ and it is available from Mirabilis LTD. Check it out! It's very cool, very fast and it's free. And it will notify you instantly when any of your friends who have the program are on-line with their ISP. Other similar services now exist including MSN chat and AOL's Instant Messenger.
If you want to find out more about IRC, you should visit the NewIRCusers Web site for lots of information on how to connect, understanding the etiquette of IRC, the commands and scripts used, as well as lots of tips and tricks and troubleshooting information. Another great IRC reference site is the #IRChelp Homepage. You will want to read their FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) which will answer almost any question you might have about IRC. The Undernet FAQ is also excellent and worth reading about IRC in general. You might also try subscribing to a related newsgroup. Use a newsreader like the one that comes with Netscape or Microsoft. Click on one of the links below (the first on is as good as any) and your newsreader will open and retrieve postings from that group. Please remember that some of these newsgroups may not be carried by your ISP's news server. Also well worth reading if you decide to use mIRC (why would you use anything else?) is this mIRC FAQ.
If you would like to see a calendar of scheduled chat events, TalkCity, our favorite IRC network, has a calendar of scheduled chats on their network. Another useful service is OakNet's CHAT ALERT Service which is designed to help you find interesting chat rooms and chat events on the Internet with a regular newsletter containing announcements from chat hosts and moderators across the Internet.
Internet is a source of information, from where you can discover new things and can find out where you have reached. IT experts are the requirements of the industry today, why could not it be you? There are many exams that can make you an expert just like 50-686, appearing for this exam will surely make you an expert in Novell Networking. A person should be multi dimensional, means he should be able to work for any company anytime; therefore 50-686 is not all that you have to appear for. There are many other exams like 1Y0-256 or mb3-409. All of this certification will lead you to a road of success, ones suggestion to you would be to try some Microsoft examinations also, and you can be an expert in designing database solutions by appearing for 70-441 examination. Appearing for 642-481 might also help you I achieving a great job! |
