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(meteorobs) Internet Relay Chat ("IRC")
Several folks have expressed interest in a "#meteorobs" channel on "IRC".
Here's a short primer on IRC, for those interested in having "real-time" meteor
discussions on the Internet! The difference between "chats" (like IRC) and
email is sort of like the difference between talking on the phone and leaving
voicemail! With IRC, you actually have a window open on your PC, where you see
other people's comments immediately as they type them. Then you can also type
responses and everyone else on the "channel" will see them immediately...
The "window" where you type and watch what others type is called an "IRC
client": it connects over the Internet to an IRC server. The IRC server keeps
track of everyone who's "connected" to a given channel, based on the "nickname"
each person chooses for themselves, and forwards all messages to everyone. It
also tracks a particular user as a "channel operator" - an admin person.
To connect to a channel - say "#meteorobs" - you need to know 3 things:
1) how to download and start your own IRC client (mIRC for
Windows, IRCle for the Mac, Netscape Chat, etc.).
2) name of the IRC server you'll tell the client to connect
to (irc.cetlinkdot net, centurion.daldot net, etc).
3) the name of the channel to join (e.g., "#meteorobs").
You "join" a channel once you're client is connected to
the server, by typing the IRC command "/join #meteorobs"
(for instance) into your IRC client command line.
That's all there is to it!
Lew
owner-meteorobs@latrade.com
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