IRC
       Internet Relay Chat [protocol] (RFC 1459, Internet)

	

	IRC
       InformationsRessourcen Controlling (IM)

	

	IRC
 /I?R?C/, n.

    [Internet Relay Chat] A worldwide ?party line? network that allows one to
    converse with others in real time. IRC is structured as a network of
    Internet servers, each of which accepts connections from client programs,
    one per user. The IRC community and the Usenet and MUD communities
    overlap to some extent, including both hackers and regular folks who have
    discovered the wonders of computer networks. Some Usenet jargon has been
    adopted on IRC, as have some conventions such as emoticons. There is also
    a vigorous native jargon, represented in this lexicon by entries marked ?
    [IRC]?. See also talk mode.

	

	Internet Relay Chat
IRC

    (IRC) /I-R-C/, occasionally /*rk/ A
   client-server chat system of large (often worldwide)
   networks.  IRC is structured as networks of Internet
   servers, each accepting connections from client programs,
   one per user.

   The IRC community and the Usenet and MUD communities
   overlap to some extent, including both hackers and regular
   folks who have discovered the wonders of computer networks.
   Some Usenet jargon has been adopted on IRC, as have some
   conventions such as emoticons.  There is also a vigorous
   native jargon (see the entry for "chat").

   The largest and first IRC network is EFNet, with a smaller
   breakaway network called the Undernet having existed since
   1992, and dozens of other networks having appeared (and
   sometimes disappeared) since.

   See also nick, bot, op.

   Yahoo's IRC index
   (http://yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Internet/Chat/IRC/).

   (1998-01-25)