IRC - Internet Relay Chat is a multi-user chat system. This is a feature which allows you to hold live text conversations with other people.People gather on channels to talk with each other using a nickname to identify themselfs.

All the conversation is scrolled across your computer screen as people talk to each other.

If you want to make use of IRC, you need an IRC program that allows you to send and receive messages over the internet. Popular IRC programs, such as mIRC for the PC and IRCIe for the Mac users, can be downloaded from the internet. You'll be connecting to a IRC server, there are lots of these servers around the world which Undernet and DALnet are some of the most popular.
Each service has a number of lines known as 'channels', which is like a meeting place, usually dedicated to a specific topic of conversation.
You can also hold a private conversation, a two-way chat which no one else can see, called DCC or Direct Chat.

There are two types of very important people on IRC. IRCops - are system supervisors, who keeps the IRC servers up and running. ChanOps - are channel operators, who have all the power over a channel.They can kick you off if you are offensive or just because.You can identify a ChanOp by the '@' sign next to their nickname.

Some basics.......

• Install your mIRC.
• Open it, enter your details like email address, nickname and real name .Choose a server that is close to where you are from the suplied list, connect.
• Once you've connected to the server, choose a channel and join.
• Things can look very confusing when you first log on to IRC, so sit tight for a bit and watch what is happening.
• If you feel ready then ask nicely and someone may invite you to join them.
• A private conversation - find someone willing to talk and find their name in the nickname list.Right click on the name and choose DCC Chat from the list of options.

It takes a bit of practice to get the hang of it, but play around and you should be chatting in no time.