Library & Information Science, Course 233: School Library Media Centers.
Dr. David Loertscher
Spring, 1999

T4al.html

While the World Wide Web receives most of the publicity, another aspect of

the Internet also draws considerable attention. IRC, more formally

referred to as Internet Relay Chat, provides a means by which one user can

type a message in real time to one or more Internet users, and almost

instantaneously, the message appears on the monitors of all the other

users who are monitoring the transmission. They, in turn, can type

messages that all the others may read. These electronic "conversations"

run the gamut from general chit-chat to exchanges of highly specific

scientific or technical information, to conversations between school

children and guest authorities.

Why use Internet Relay Chat?

In the educational arena, individuals from distant places frequently need

to discuss plans, projects or theories. Several teachers in different

states may wish to collaborate on a workshop that will be presented at a

national conference. A group of educators taking a class at a university

may wish to "hear" a guest "speaker" via the Internet. Perhaps a class of

elementary students wants to discuss a joint project with a partner

classroom across the country or even across an ocean. A high school class

might wish to arrange a "visit" from a noted author or scientist. IRC can

accomplish all of these goals without the problems and expenses associated

with conference calls or physical travel.

IRC allows participants to contribute to discussions on an equal basis.

Each person types "comments" that the entire group can see. Should the

situation require it, the chat environment also allows a user to type

private comments, viewable by only one other participant. The IRC

environment even allows files to be exchanged. IRC can also provide

eyewitness accounts of major world events from revolutions to earthquakes

and because most channels are open, students can hear first-hand accounts

of newsworthy events.

What is required?

In order to use Internet Relay Chat (IRC), the user must have an Internet

connection. The connection can be dial-up or direct. After the Internet

connection is in place, a software package allows users to connect to the

IRC server's special computers reserved for interactive conversations. The

most popular IRC chat software for PCs, mIRC, is a shareware program that

puts IRC servers and advanced IRC features as close as the click of a

mouse. Pirch is a newcomer, and has enthusiastic users. Macintosh users

usually select Homer or Ircle as their software program of choice. Any of

these programs allow users to log onto IRC servers, join channels, and

exchange live conversation. Some of the programs support such advanced

features as sound files or color coded text. Another useful feature,

supported by some software programs, is URL "catching." This feature will

collect and/or automatically display any properly typed URL. This can be

especially useful when a user wants to follow a professional discussion or

any other seminar-type of chat. All URLs typed can be logged into a

database for inspection later.

How is IRC organized?

Tens of thousands of people throughout the world may be using IRC at any

given time. If all these people were to "talk" simultaneously, chaos would

reign. Conversations between two people could be lost among the

transmissions of all other people. To sort out the conversations, the

Internet Relay Chat world has divided itself into Nets, or groups of chat

servers, and each Net is again divided into channels. Choice of a Net will

determine which channels will be available, but if the user cannot find a

suitable channel, a new channel can be created. While there may be no

modem police, IRCops and channel ops (operators) monitor their respective

domains very carefully.

Nets

Each Net has its own personality. EfNet, the first IRCNet, and home to

channels devoted to high-level computer discussions, is the largest, but

it is also slow because of its sheer size. Unfortunately, there are also

hundreds of "adult" oriented channels on EfNet and their descriptions are

quite public. UnderNet sprang from EfNet. It is smaller, more reliable,

and friendlier, though many of the same channels exist on both EdNet and

UnderNet. DALnet began as a gamers Net, but has expanded. It offers

intrusion protection and registered nicknames. KidsWorld is a Net for

those under 18. Adults must register upon entering, and security personnel

supervise vigorously. All of these Nets and more are pre-configured in

major IRC software packages.

Channels

When a user logs onto an IRC server (using appropriate IRC software),

hundreds and maybe thousands of channels will be in operation. Each

channel name is preceded by a # sign and each channel was created for the

purposes of topical discussion. Typing "/list" will show every public

channel on a particular net. Channels can be public or private, and

moderated or unmoderated. Establishing a private channel is as simple as

typing "/join" followed by an unused channel name starting with #. The

channel will cease to exist when the last participant leaves the channel.

Ops

Each channel is controlled by an op(erator). The op is the person who

creates the channel. The op has the power to configure the channel as

moderated, invitation only, or according to several other parameters. The

op can also kick (eject) or ban unruly users from the channel. The op also

has the power to bestow op status on other users. In the list of channel

members, ops are indicated by the @ sign in front of their names. The op

is responsible for maintaining order on the channel and establishing

ground rules for participants to follow. Ops realize that once they leave

the channel, they lose op status unless someone with op power is left

behind to restore the authority of the original op.

Nicks

Users on each channel are known by nicknames, or "nicks." A nickname can

be a shortened version of one's own name (Tom_S), or it can be a fantasy

name (BlkKnight). IRC programs have a limitation on the length of the

nick, so abbreviations or truncations are common.

How do you find, join, or create a channel?

The command "/list" will generate a list of all current channels. To join

any one of the channels, type: "/join #channelname", substituting the name

of the desired channel (including the # sign) for "#channelname." Those

who would like a private channel can create one quite easily. They simply

type "/join #channelname", substituting the new channel name (including

the # sign) for "#channelname." Private channels are advantageous for

educational settings and class-to-class chats since the channel won't show

on the channel list and outsiders won't be able to send off-topic

messages.

Can you send a private message?

While most IRC messages go to a public area where anyone in the channel

can view them, it is possible to send messages to a single person. Each

software package has its own method of accomplishing this, but the

standard command will always work. To send a private message to user

Tom_S, one would type: "/msg Tom_S Are you receiving my message?" A

separate window will open for this secondary conversation, and anything

typed in the private window will go only to Tom_S. It's possible to

maintain multiple private conversations simultaneously, at least to the

capacity the human brain has to follow all the conversational threads.

How does one exit an IRC chat?

Leaving IRC is as simple as closing the window in which you have been

chatting. Good netiquette requires that one announce one's departure.

What are the disadvantages of IRC?

IRC, a live activity, has some of the same problems encountered with live

radio or live television. Technical problems can cause sessions to be

terminated prematurely. Equipment or telecommunications failures on the

Internet can cause what is known as a "net split" where one group of

servers is cut off from another group. Each group will continue to

converse within its own servers, but participants registered on a

separated portion of the network will not be able to see the conversations

of the other half. Of course, IRC participants on the same server will be

able to converse no matter what happens to other IRC servers. For

classroom projects, teachers would do well to plan in advance which server

they will use, and agree to have all classes use the same server to

eliminate these problems.

Anyone with an Internet connection can access IRC servers.

For educational purposes, this means that anyone in the world can drop in

on a classroom chat session. Outside visitors can be simple observers

(a.k.a. "lurkers"), but some may be out to cause mischief and mayhem.

Savvy Internet users can take over unprotected channels. Teachers creating

IRC channels for classroom use must learn how to make a channel private,

and how to "kick" or ban unwanted members.

Occasionally, an Internet user will "spam" unprotected channels.

"Spam" is an unsolicited message broadcast to many channels at once. The

channel op has the ability to configure the channel to reject messages

from those outside the channel. Because many spam messages are "adult" in

nature, this adjustment would be a wise stance.

What educational benefits can I expect?

IRC allows students and teachers to interact synchronously with live

persons. These can be peers, mentors, or guests. Younger students who

don't type well might ask an older student, parent, or teacher to type

their questions and comments, so that physical limitations do not stand in

the way of communication. Classes in remote locations, across town or

around the world, can collaborate on joint projects. IRC is more immediate

than e-mail exchanges because there is no need to wait a long time to

receive a response. IRC also personalizes the Internet, which can

sometimes seem cold and robotic. All in all, IRC environments provide an

interactive, personal channel through which numerous varieties of

communications can occur.

References, suggested readings, and topic related Web sites:

Harris, S. (1995). The IRC survival guide. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

Toyer, K. (1997). Learn Internet relay chat. Plano, TX: Wordware

Publishing, Inc.

Toyer, K. (1997). Learn advanced Internet relay chat. Plano, TX: Wordware

Publishing, Inc.

Using the Internet as an Instructional Tool. (1997). Hudson River Center

for Program Development, Glenmont, NY. (ED 417 344)

http://www.kidlink.org/IRC/

http://www.irchelp.org/

http://www.wko.com/faq/irc/irc-faq.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Digest was prepared by Carol Simpson, Assistant Professor, University

of North Texas School of Library and Information Sciences, Denton, Texas.

csimpson@lis.admin.unt.edu

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