How to use IRC

What is IRC? Well, IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat, and is sort of like a chat protocol. It uses port 6667 mainly to chat, and you can either download an irc client go access chatrooms, or you can find some chatrooms online that are java based as well.

If you want to chat to me, I am currently in the #depression room at irc.quakenet.org .

If you are looking for specific chatrooms, the first place to start is the website www.ircsearch.com . With this website, you can search for specific room names (like #depression), and specific networks that you are after as well.  If you have your very own IRC server, you can even submit it to this website, and soon enough, the entire world will be able to access your IRC server.

You can download an IRC client at the following websites here:

Softpedia - Here you can download a heap of IRC clients!
XChat - XChat is a multiplatform chat program (free).
dIRC Chat - I used to use dIRC Chat, try it out I guess.
Ircle - Ircle is an IRC client for Mac computers.
MIRC - MIRC is probably the most popular IRC chat client, and it is free.
HydraIRC - HydraIRC is the chat program that I use - very simple and clean.

I guess google is your best friend, but if you go to www.ircsearch.com, you can find literally thousands upon thousands of irc rooms to chat in.  Have fun now!