For many people, internet relay chat (irc) seems like an intimidating jungle, inhabited exclusively by UNIX nerds. In reality it's a delightful adventure, waiting to happen to almost anyone with an Internet connection. At once romantic and high tech, funny but sometimes dangerous, irc is the very essence of the Internet culture, and the perfect post-modern experience for those with know-how. Although the most advanced irc client software understands over 400 commands, The irc Survival Guide can show you how to establish an identity and join the irc community using just five basic commands. Rewards are great: participation in an international culture that offers you a choice of more than 1,000 separate conversations in many languages 24 hours a day. Irc expert Stuart Harris will show you how to: master those five basic commands in five minutes discover the identities of almost everyone logged in develop a circle of international friendships use irc channels for effective business meetings use a cypher to make your conversation secure start your own irc channel and make your own rules deal with such hazards as flamers, war-bots, and netsplits exchange data files such as personal pictures. Ideal for newcomers and experienced Internet users alike, this book will show you how to get the most out of this amazing new communication medium. There's no limit to the uncharted, uncensored Internet territory you can explore with The irc Survival Guide.

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