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Appendix - Internet Relay Chat

Introduction

The purpose of this page is discuss the acquisition and installation of chat client software which uses Internet Relay Chat (IRC) protocol. The focus of this installation is to support the conducting Project Oriented Work Sessions including Brainstorming and other electronic meetings for IEEE volunteers using Synchronous Electronic Communications methods. For the purpose of this work, synchronous means that both parties are "on-line" at the same time and are able to see each others' inputs and respond in near real-time. This technology is similar to a telephone conference call except 1) it is conducted over the Internet (lower cost) and 2) uses typed text instead of voice for communicating, and 3) maintains a log that serves as a record of the meeting.

Project Oriented work is a group activity with the purpose of performing a design activity, solving a problem, discussing an issue, etc. It usually precedes and is followed by individual efforts on the project.

IRC Clients - Some examples and where to find them

The table below summarizes a variety of clients that are available that allow users to chat using the IRC protocol. The Volunteer column relates which members of the e-conf project have tried the client and might be able to offer some support. In a typical meeting three or four of the clients have been in use.

Note 1. *** marks the recommended client per platform.

Note 2. Shareware, normally $20 registration but the mIRC author Khaled Mardam-Bey has informed us that "I allow non-profit organizations to use mIRC freely, so in the above case, for IEEE meetings, IEEE is licensed to use as many copies of mIRC as it needs freely for group meetings, etc." The Region 3 e-conf team hereby thank him for his generosity. Note that if you use this fine product for other than IEEE business you should register the program.

The following table gives the URLs for those reading a paper version of this report. The links match the ones associated with the links in table above.

An excellent source of IRC clients is Stroud's CWSApps, www.stroud.com. This site is one of the Internet's best directories of freeware and shareware. All of the most popular IRC clients are indexed along with user reviews. Please note that the IRC applications for Windows platforms are categorized by 32 bit and 16 bit. Make sure that you download the application that fits your operating system.

IRC Clients - How to install

Each of these clients comes with install instructions and some sort of install procedure. Follow the procedure and install the product.

After installing the software, some configuration is necessary. The exact details vary per program, but you wish to set up the following information:

Nickname:     nickname     (i.e. DaveG)
Real Name:    full name    (i.e. Dave Green)
Chat Server:  irc.ewh.ieee.org
Password:     xxxxxxxx
Chat Room:    #ieee3 (the Region 3 chat channel but 
                      any name with leading "#" is fine)
Port:         6667   (or 7000)
Auto-ignore:  Turn off (Sometimes know as anti-flooding.
                      This setting allows more lines to be 
                      sent quickly to you.  This can be
                      dangerous on normal chats but very 
                      useful for quickly sending out
                      lists of items to participants.)

Installing mIRC (cheat sheet)

1. Download the mirc56x.exe (or later) file from the www.mirc.com web site (or acquire a CD with the install file)
2. Run the mirc56x.exe (or later) install program and choose to install it into the directory c:\mirc (or your choice)
3. Go to the c:\mirc directory
4. Delete or rename the files mirc.ini and servers.ini
5. Run mIRC from the Start Menu or by double clicking on the .exe file
6. Add server:
   
   Description: IEEE
   IRC Server: irc.ieee.org
   Port: 6667 (default)
   Group (leave blank)
   Password: Obtain
   
   Click "ADD"
7. Add server:
   
   Description: UAB
   IRC Server: ccc.chat.uab.edu
   Port: 6667 (default)
    Group (leave blank)
   Password: (leave blank)
   
   Click "ADD"
8. Enter the following personal info:
   
   Name:
   Email:
   Nickname: (usually First Name plus last initial unless this in not unique in group -- example: DickR, DaveG)
   Alternative nickname: (pick another unique name)
   (Note: nicknames cannot contain spaces or symbols)
   
9. Under options, go to IRC, flood.
   Make sure that "enable flood protection" is not checked
10. Under options, go to IRC, logging.
    Check "Automatically log channels" and "Date filenames"
    Click OK to save options.
11. Log onto your ISP if not already connected.
12. In mIRC, click on File, Connect.
    When the Channels window appears, type in #ieee3 and click "ADD".
    Click "Join"
13. To close a channel, close the channel window or type /quit .

Specific Comments for Microsoft Chat

The Win98 CD contains a relatively recent release of Microsoft Chat. Alas, this version does not support passwords and thus can not be used on the IEEE irc.ewh.ieee.org server. You will need to download the new client at the URL above. You will need at MS Chat Version 2.5 or later in order to connect with the IEEE server.

1. Some users have found it difficult to set a server password in MS Chat (2.5). Try the following:
   1. When you get denied, pick "cancel" and with luck you move to "working offline".
   2. While offline, choose from the Menu: View | Options.
   3. From the dialog box, choose the "Servers" tab
   4. The "Network" box may show something, use the drop-down to cause ">None>" to be selected.
   5. In the bottom left hand area, there may be 'irc.ewh.ieee.org' listed in the list area. If not, type it "irc.ewh.ieee.org" in the textbox just above the list area and hit the "add button".
   6. Now, select irc.ewh.ieee.org from the list area by single clicking on it, looking to the right, in the "Advanced Settings Area" change the radio button to select "IRC username/password". Then enter the password into the password text field leaving the username blank.
   7. Click on the "Remember Password" so we don't have to do this again <GRIN>.
   8. Hit "OK".
   9. Exit the program, come back in choosing irc.ewh.ieee.org as your server and you should be going.
2. On View | Options Menu, Settings Tab, Make sure that "Don't Send Microsoft Chat specific information is checked". (This allows "friendly" inoperabilty with non-Microsoft IRC clients and the log.
3. On View Menu, choose either the "Text" view or "Comic Strip".
4. On View | Automation Menu, General Tab, Make sure "Auto ignore enabled" is NOT checked.
5. TO SAVE A CONFERENCE MEETING (LOGGING)
   1. If you are in COMIC mode, switch to TEXT mode.
   2. On the FILE menu click on SAVE
   3. Double-click on the folder you want to save the meeting.
   4. In the FILE name box, type a name for the log, and then click SAVE.

Chat technology usage

The following "rules" are offered as suggestions to improving the efficiency of meetings using this technology. Attendees who meet frequently may adopt additional techniques to make their efforts more efficient.

1. When "talking" use "..." when at the end of the line when you have not completed a thought and "." at the end of line to imply that you have finished your thought. Of course, you can use a "?" if you are ending with a question or "!" if you are done exclaiming! Note that while many of the clients allow you type multiple lines before sending, if you send a partial thought with the "..." appended, the other participants feel more connected to the conversation.

2. Try not to "double", i.e. speak at the same time as someone else. A combination of the above "signaling" and the guidance of the facilitator should help keep this problem to a minimum.

3. Choose a "nickname" that is related to your name, easy to type, and which will not generate confusion with other attendees. Example e-conf team member names are DaveG, BobD, dickriddl, and CharlesL. Nicknames must be short and it is helpful if they do not contain spaces.

4. Use "whisper" (Microsoft Chat) or "/msg" to send messages to individual participants if your comments are not intended for all attendees.

5. Keep in mind that logs of chat sessions like tape recordings of meetings represent something beyond minutes. Use of the these logs should be carefully considered and all participants should be aware that recordings are being made.

6. In large meetings, some "short-hand" way of recognizing individuals may be necessary. One approach is to use the "Q" or "C" signal. When an individual wishes to talk, they can either type a single "Q" or "C" to signal to all that they have a question or comment respectively. The facilitator can keep a list and recognize individuals when it is their time to speak. The facilitator may choose to allow questions first (before comments) or to take speakers in order, or some other scheme appropriate to group dynamics.

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are often used in chatting to save typing.

1. <BG> - (BIG) grin see <G>
2. BTW - By the way
3. FWIW - For what it is worth
4. GA - go ahead
5. <g> - grin
6. <G> - (big) grin see <BG>
7. LOL - laughing out loud
8. ROFL - rolling on floor laughing

Some additional abbreviations to convey "feeling" are documented as emoticons. See for example http://http://www.fingertek.com/smilies.htm.

IRC - How do I find a server to host my chat

The Region 3 E-Conference Project used the IEEE IRC Server (irc.ewh.ieee.org) that is currently in beta phase of installation and release. There are hundreds of servers on the Internet that allow public use of their system for group chats. Many of these servers are dedicated by subject but others allow general use for any subject (blessing and curse!). Sources of IRC servers that can be used include the following:

The IRC Help Organization, http://irchelp.org/irchelp/networks/nets/big4.html

YAHOO, http://dir.yahoo.com/computers_and_internet/internet/chat/irc/

The Ultimate IRC Resource, http://www.familychat.net/

The Undernet IRC Network, http://www.undernet.org

mIRC, http://www.mirc.co.uk/servers.html

For use of a particular server, go to the server's web site and follow their instructions. Some of the chat applications such as Microsoft Chat, have built in servers for public use. Other servers can also be used.

Keeping your connection alive

Some users (especially AOL users) have reported problems keeping their connection alive during the time they are chatting (and thus NOT using the AOL client). Users in similar predicaments suggest obtaining the shareware ($19.95) software "Stay Connected!" from http://www.inklineglobal.com/.

Additional IRC Documents and Help Information

If you are seeking additional information on IRC, check out http://www.irchelp.org/. At this site, you will find links to basic topics such as "IRC Prelude", "IRC FAQ", "IRC Primer", and "IRC Tutorial" and also links such as "Nukes & Trojan Attacks" and a variety of other links for the serious IRC user and operator.

Links: Prev Section Next Section Top This page: http://www.ewh.ieee.org/reg/3/e-conf/guidelines/ircinfo.html Region 3 E-Conference Project: http://www.ewh.ieee.org/reg/3/e-conf/ Comments on this page may be sent to Last modified: Mon Dec 15 22:31:50 2003