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Posted By: squertty Getting started, what is out there? - 01/11/03 01:53 PM
Hi
I am brand new to IRC . I see there are Servers and Channels.which at this stage are just words on the page.

How do I find what subjects each Server covers?

Also there does not seem to be an index for the channels. How do I find out what Channels there are and what field of interest they cover?

Sorry if it has been covered before.
Posted By: Aenox Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 01/11/03 04:21 PM
Large servers don't usually have a general topic..
to list channels and topics use /list after connecting.
You might want to restrict the query to channels of at least 10 people /list -min 10
Posted By: squertty Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 01/11/03 08:04 PM
Thanks. I'll try that.
Posted By: squertty Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 01/11/03 08:23 PM
Well, I have tried to get a list but one was too busy and anothe saiid 'list too large, truncated.'
Difficult to understand the jargon and they didn't seem to have any clear subject. Are they just chat rooms or do any have a theme or interest ?
Is there some sort of 'insider' knowledge required to suss out appropriate groups?
Posted By: squertty Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 01/11/03 09:20 PM
OK. I have printed off all the Help pages I can find.
It looks a lot of stuff to learn. I hope it is not all teenage drivel on the sites when I eventually get through to them. I am 70.
Will there be anything there for the mature person, anyone?
Posted By: MDConker Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 02/11/03 12:18 AM
what would you even want to talk about?
Posted By: squertty Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 02/11/03 12:30 AM
Politics, engineering, whatever.
Why do you ask?
What is the IRC for?
Posted By: stimpy Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 02/11/03 02:10 AM
IRC is for everyone...
Most servers have a lot of channels and most channels don't give an actual item there discussing at that moment...

Most of the times it's just a standard text like :
-Come in !!! It's fun...
-The best channel of blabla...

Just try out a view channels...
You'll find one with your interests..
That's the way i did it...


Good luck...

stimpy
Posted By: squertty Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 02/11/03 03:08 AM
Thanks for the encouragement. I will persevere.
Posted By: stimpy Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 02/11/03 03:13 AM
YW

That's why we are here for...
Posted By: Macondo Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 02/11/03 07:16 AM
normally, if u connect to one of the major irc networks (call 'em "servers" if u like... i know somebody will prove me wrong about that name... just wanna know how long it takes grin), that is, undernet, efnet, dalnet, newnet, or any other server u want, u can find many channels that don't have fancy names...
so, if u just type /join #australia , there might be a channel where actual australians meet!, same thing with /join #mexico , /join #newbies (people that are gettin' started with mirc), /join #grafitti , and so on... so, just connect to one of these networks and start joining channels... some of them might have only one user (you!), but, who know, u can hit one with hundreds of users!
good luck, and have phun! laugh
Posted By: MDConker Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 02/11/03 09:10 AM
Probably be easier if you would of told him to type /list

joining random channels will not get you what you want
Posted By: Online Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 02/11/03 11:52 AM
Try http://searchirc.com/
Posted By: sparta Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 02/11/03 12:22 PM
I must say it's really fun to see that not only the young ones using mirc smile I hope you find a channel that you can find intresting and that you will have many houers of fun chat online.. good luck to you smile
Posted By: Macondo Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 02/11/03 05:16 PM
mdconker: have u tried to do a /list while in Undernet?
Posted By: CtrlAltDel Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 02/11/03 08:51 PM
undernet /list results: 33979/34429 Channels
Posted By: squertty Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 02/11/03 09:13 PM
Thanks.
http://searchirc.com is the answer I guessed must be there somewhere.
One more question:- What does <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh or smile etc mean?

Is it a type of smiley or do I enter it somewhere?
Posted By: Online Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 02/11/03 09:49 PM
Where did you see that? <img> is a HTML tag that is used to include images in the page, and "/images/graemlins/" is the folder on this server where the smiley icons are stored.

When you write your post, you can left-click on one of the listed smilies to automatically add it to the text.
Posted By: squertty Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 03/11/03 12:31 AM
I see. I normally tick the box for an email to be sent to me when a reply comes in. The strings are in there.in the Outlook Express message

You prompted me to look here and I see they are the smileys.in the thread above..I suppose the email cannot handle smileys.
I did say i am new.
Posted By: Macondo Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 03/11/03 02:13 AM
Thnx CtrlAltDel laugh... that proves my point that it's easier joining channels at random than reading a 30000-line list to find what u want... wink
Posted By: ParaBrat Re: Getting started, what is out there? - 03/11/03 09:01 PM
Welcome to the wonderful world of IRC (InternetRelayChat).
mIRC is the client (software) you use to get to any of many Networks by way of their servers. Each network can only be accessed by their servers. Once on that network, you can find a variety of channels and people, some talking about specific subjects, from the same age or general area, or just general chitchat. Finding one with people you are comfortable with isnt the easiest task, so be patient. It isnt unlike going to a huge party IRL (In Real Life), some groups of ppl (channels)you'll enjoy, others you wont.

One way to narrow your search is to get lists of channels with a specific word in their name or topic, like /list *texas* or /list *engineer* or /list *60+* (the * are called wildcards, so if a channel has the word engineer or engineering there, they would be listed). Join a channel, read the topic, and sit back to watch for a while, get an idea of whats going on and what kind of ppl are there. If you dont like it, try another channel.

You ask if you will get "teenage drivel", yep. You will also get ppl old enough to act like they have good sense but dont. You will find ppl who seem to think IRC is a kinky free-for-all. Imagine in place of "what's your sign" they use "asl" as their clever opening line. (asl== whats your age, sex, and location). Like IRL, you will also find some wonderful ppl who will add amazingly to your life. It gives you the opportunity to meet and get to know ppl from all walks of life, all ages, and all over the world. One of the nicest things is that you can talk to ppl and get to know them without preconcieved notions based on their age/ appearance/country of origin. You will find yourself engaged in great conversations, never guessing the other person is half your age or twice your age.

Give it some time, wander about different networks and channels.
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