IRC stands for "Internet Relay Chat". It was originally written by Jarkko Oikarinen (jto@tolsun.oulu.fi) in 1988. Since starting in Finland, it has been used in over 60 countries around the world. It was designed as a replacement for the "talk" program but has become much much more than that. IRC is a multi-user chat system, where people convene on "channels" (a virtual place, usually with a topic of conversation) to talk in groups, or privately. IRC is constantly evolving, so the way things to work one week may not be the way they work the next. Read the MOTD (message of the day) every time you use IRC to keep up on any new happenings or server updates. --"Helen Rose, Trillian on IRC :"

IRC is based round interconnected servers which the user runs an IRC client program to connect to. Each user on an IRC network must have a unique nickname and can join one or more channels. They can also send and receive private messages and even transfer files. --"Andrew Crawford."

IRC is organized in channels on a specific topic. On average there are about 18000 users and 5000 channels on IRC worldwide.

An IRC user wrote :

"If you've been using your Internet account to send e-mail or access gopher and the World-Wide Web; you haven't had the complete net experience till you've gotten a handle on IRC. IRC, short for Internet Relay Chat, is the net equivalent of CB radio. But unlike CB, Internet Relay Chat lets people all over the world participate in real-time conversations.

As in life -and CB radio- not all those chatters have something interesting to say, but some do, and many people have developed lasting friendships through IRC. Even marriages have resulted from relationships first forged on IRC. In fact, some people have become so addicted to chatting on the Internet that there's a Usenet newsgroup entitled alt.irc.recovery.

The value of IRC depends on how you use it. IRC can keep you company when you can't sleep, contribute to family togetherness and cut your phone bill. It also can expose you to unpleasant behavior. Chats can get wild and woolly, and anyone (male or female) who takes on a female persona is likely to be hit on. Some users also engage in mean-spirited acts, such as telling first-timers to type in commands that mess up their computers. ..."

How often do you use IRC?
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Never use it