In what is arguably the most nerdy way to send and receive instant messaging through popular networks such AIM, Yahoo and MSN, it is possible to do it all using IRC. While it’s true that instant messaging isn’t used as much as it used to be, IRC shows absolutely no signs of slowing down whatsoever and people do use it regularly – so much that...

On the PCMech LIVE show I do every week Wednesdays from 8pm-10pm EST I periodically get asked if there is an alternative way to participate in chat. This is because for some the text chat using the browser method is just too small, and/or the chat text scrolls by too fast for some to read, and so on. Yes, there is an alternative way. You can connect by using a...

Text mode conferencing is one of the oldest forms of communications on the internet. You commonly know this as participating in a "chat room." This form of communication has lasted as long has for three very good reasons:It requires the least possible bandwidth necessary in order to do it. You don’t get any smaller in bandwidth usage than plain...

IRC is one of those things that either you get or you don’t. You probably know IRC as chat rooms. But if you said that to a diehard IRC user, he or she would give you a dirty look or two because "chat room" is a term originally popularized by AOL. And to be technically correct, IRC has no chat rooms. They’re called channels. Maybe...

For those that join us live every week on Wednesdays from 8pm to 10pm EST, you may find it easier to use chat if you alternatively connect using an IRC client like Chatzilla instead of the in-browser way. This video shows you how to do...