At one time, most chatting was done on porches or over a back yard fence. But
             not any more! Now you can talk to anyone, anywhere in the world, anytime you
             want, without paying a dime in long distance phone charges.
             How can you do this? Let us count the ways:
             IRC is a network service, designed with the Internet in mind. It allows two or more
             people to talk to one another live. These chats are carried on by typing instead of
             talking. The network transmits a message from one typist to the other people in
             the conversation. Any or all of them can then type in their responses.
             IRC is simple to use if you know how, and we're going to teach you how. First, you
             need a computer that's linked to a network with an IRC Server. (A server is a
             computer on a network that stores files for and fulfills requests from other
             computers on the network.) If you have an Internet connection you are already
             on the largest network in the world, and you have access to many, many IRC
             IRC client software is the next thing you'll need. That's the software on your
             computer that will let you chat over the Internet Here are a few examples of IRC
             mIRC is an excellent IRC client. You can download mIRC at:
             TIP: Don't just blurt out a message the moment you join a channel, although it
             doesn't hurt to say "Hello!" People in that channel might be carrying on a
             conversation and you might interrupt them. Wait a few moments to see if there is
             a conversation going on. Manners are just as important on IRC as they are
             anyplace else. If you are polite about it, you'll find the other people on IRC will
             help you learn all the tricks of using IRC.
             You can start your own channel by using a channel name that is not in use
             already. When you start a channel, you get channel operator status which means
             you can make your channel a public, private, or secret channel. You can setup
             your channel so that only those people you invite can join...