In this guide we shall discuss basic concepts on IRC, web chat.

IRC "CHAT"

The Internet Relay Chat is an Internet service that allows you to communicate in Real Time with other users. This means that both (or more) participants must be seated in front of their computers at the same time. You acheive this by connecting to Chat Servers. There are some huge networks like undernet, efnet, dalnet etc… which are open and free, while some others which are usually private and small, require that you access via an invitation, or a password. The different networks do not connect to one another.

This is how it works. What one person writes on their machine shows up on everyone's screen, who is actually connected at that moment on that Channel. In this way you can Chat or converse with other people from anywhere in the world. Many people are using chat in order to communicate live at a certain time.

Chats are organized in rooms or channels. These have pre-established themes so that people have an idea of what they will find there. The title or name of the channel will indicate what subjects people are likely to deal with in it. There are thousands of channels in many languages although most are in English (because most networks are from english speaking countries).

Some channels have moderators. These are responsable in that channel and make sure that things proceed in an orderly fashion. They have certain privileges like the possibility of warning and even excluding someone for inadequate behaviour.

One can enter a channel and simply see the messages people are sending (lurking) or participate in the conversation sending your own messages.

Once you have chosen a Chat channel, you need to register using a nickname. Many people use any name in order to keep their identity hidden. On some servers, by using special software you can select icons which represent you.

Once inside a Chat room, you will see a list of participant nicknames, and the messages they are sending. If you write a message and hit Enter, the message will appear in the message box. The messages can be sent to all connected at that moment, or privately to a single participant.

This example is from a south american Web Chat channel.

This window is a chat request in private (you can usually respond to the request or ignore it by closing the window) :

There are two ways to enter a Chat server.

Some people connect via a special IRC chat client like, MIRC, Pirch, Virc, WSIRC, InteRfaCe, ChatMan, Global Chat etc...

Others work by means of an application, say one in java, which downloads to your machine on the spot (Web Chat) and you therefore access it directly via a website. You might need a browser that supports the application.

The uses for chat are varied. Mainly it is for fun, but it can be used for other things. For example, during earthquakes, wars etc... it is a tool that has provided information almost immediately to the world. It is also being used as a replacement for long distance telephone. You could enquire within chat channels for information, since most people are quite helpful and willing. There have even been cases of two people meeting through chat and then getting married!

Activity

1 - Try the Web Chat with an open server through the search engines. It could be a channel of the Web Chat server by Excite.

Note: The browser might show a warning message since it is about to open a chat window programmed in Java and this is potentially a security hazard.

CHARACTERISTICS AND NEWS

With technology advances we are beginning to see text, audio, 2d & 3d images, videoconferences, etc.

There are also Buddy List programmes, like Messenger or ICQ that tell you when a friend is on-line. In the program we setup a list of friends with whom we are interested in staying in contact often. This allows us to send them a message in order to establish contact at that time with them. The message will show up on their screens and if they desire to do so, they can reply immediately, begin a chat session, etc.

Vea la guía de ICQ

Through these programs you can send files. You simply select the recipient in the participant list and send them the file you like.

smileys can be added (called emoticons) to the text you send in order to enhance the expressions or emotions in your text.

Eg:

Happy	:-)	Wink	;-)
Serious	:-|	Sad	:-(
Surprised	:-O	Drunk	:*)

Would you like to see the complete list of smileys?

You can also participate (and create) Private rooms in which only people that know the necessary details can enter that room.

You can play certain games within the Chat community.

Some Chat servers get a celebrity to organize an event with Internet users. THe celebrity connects to the predetermined chat Channel at a certain time and people can ask them questions and participate in the conversation.