Before the implementation of the Meebo Chatroom, which most of you have been in, or heard of, Instructables had an IRC chatroom.
The meebo room has served us well, but it is limited, has many flaws, and bogs down most average computer systems. IRC can be accessed via a dedicated program, or via your browser as the previous meebo room was. Were going to run the two systems in tandem for a while, to make the change more smoothly, and so we can move back to meebo if all else fails.
So, here is a brief overview of IRC, and how to access the Instructables IRC room.
If you know exactly what your doing, then the room is -
and is located on the freenode server. You'll also need to identify yourself, as explained in step 5.
If not, head on over to the next step..
The meebo room has served us well, but it is limited, has many flaws, and bogs down most average computer systems. IRC can be accessed via a dedicated program, or via your browser as the previous meebo room was. Were going to run the two systems in tandem for a while, to make the change more smoothly, and so we can move back to meebo if all else fails.
So, here is a brief overview of IRC, and how to access the Instructables IRC room.
If you know exactly what your doing, then the room is -
#instructables
and is located on the freenode server. You'll also need to identify yourself, as explained in step 5.
If not, head on over to the next step..
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Signing UpStep 1: IRC Clients
Web Based Client
To make the IRC chatroom easily accessible, we have chosen to use an online IRC client called mibbit, you can access this via two methods.
Via the Instructables Chatroom Topic
Or directly via Mibbit
A few other online clients to have a look at are CGI:IRC, and Loq.
Windows Programs
Since I use Firefox, I use Chatzilla. Its a clean and simple IRC client, which works wonderfully on most computers.
You can download it here: Chatzilla
You might want to try xchat If you love the command line and irssi which is a powerful client with a steep learning curve.
Programs like Pidgin, and Trillian have IRC capabilities, while also supporting AIM, YIM, gTalk, and more.
Mac OS X Programs
For Mac there are two main programs, colloquy and babbel.
Babbel also produce a windows version. Gmjhowe has been using colloquy with no problems, and found that it had the simplest interface.
Linux Programs
I am yet to get hold of any major linux users, so for the time being check out this Top Ten Guide.
If any of you have some good suggestions then please shoot them off in the comments.
iPhone, iPod Touch, and other systems
The two best options for iPhone apps are colloquy's mobile version, and IRChon who offer a free version.
I know a few years ago one could access IRC via their cell phone, alot of the my googled results came up with websites a few years out of date, again, suggestions welcomed in the comments.
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I'm logged in now, the channel seems awfully dead to me though.
08:42 -!- Irssi: #instructables: Total of 13 nicks [1 ops, 0 halfops, 2 voices, 10 normal]
New IRC. Type in #instructables.