Introduction > About

About IRC
IRC is different from other chatting systems like AIM and ICQ in that it is intended for conversation within a whole group of people, rather than one on one. Additionally IRC fully supports private conversations between two people.

IRC is not one single system, but a collection of independent networks. These networks consist of IRC servers whose owners have decided to exchange IRC messages.
An IRC server accepts user input through an IRC client and receives messages from other servers. The server then sends the received messages back to the client program that then displays it to the user.

IRC Networks
There are many IRC servers, but they are not all connected to each other. They are organized into different networks, the largest of which are EFNet and Undernet. All servers on a given IRC network exchange messages but do not bridge to other networks.
Some networks are regional like OZnet (Australia) and BrasNet (Brasil). Others, like EFNet and Undernet have servers all over the world. All the servers on the same network carry the same channels.
Most networks have thousands of channels, each focused on a location or subject. All channel members see the text that is typed into the channel. This makes it possible to have a real-time conversation with people all over the world.

Snak will let you connect to multiple servers at the same time and the servers do not have to be on the same network. Therefore you can participate in channels on multiple networks if you so desire.

At any given time the largest of the IRC networks may have as many as 35,000 participants. Almost anyone can find a channel that focuses on a topic of interest. It is estimated that at any given time there are several hundred thousand people using IRC across the various networks.

About the program
The primary functions of an IRC client are to display the messages other participants send to the channel, and to allow you to send your own. However, a client like Snak does much more.
You can jump right into IRC and connect to a network and join a few channels. Read the Quickstart chapter to jump right in.
Please see the Registration chapter for information on how to register.
Some of the features are:
o Unique docking windows allow efficient use of window space
o Highlight feature can highlight or speak messages
o Full speech support with individual voice assignment
o Two powerful script languages - AppleScript and ircII
o Files can be sent with DCC by dropping them on the User list
o Easy download of MP3 files from sorted list of available songs
o Built-in address book allows you to keep track of the snippets of information you find as you talk to other people via IRC
o ToolTips provide quick reminders about settings
o Guardian feature can help parents and teachers control what channels their children and students can visit
o Settings like background color and font can be selected individually for each channel
o Connection records can specify multiple servers, which allows the program to try each server until it finds one that will connect
o Integrated notify list makes it easy to track when your friends are connected to IRC
o Aliases and scripting helps eliminate much tedious typing and provides powerful features
o Scriptable in both the ircII scripting language and AppleScript
o Find and Find Again functions search in the channel listing and channel text
o Multiple connections and multiple channels per connection
o Intuitive Drag and Drop support in many situations
o Automatic and Manual logging functions
o Support for Command-clicking URL

If you find bugs in the program it is important that you report them to me at "bugs@snak.com" so that I may fix them. Please do not assume that someone else has reported the bug. If you report a bug, please be sure to let me know if it is reproducible, and exactly what steps to take to make it happen. Every system is unique in some way and each of us uses the program in our own way.

If you like the program be sure to tell others about it. If you have problems with it, tell me.
You can always find the newest version of Snak on my web page at "http://www.snak.com" and I can be reached at "kents@snak.com"