<networking> (IRC) A medium for worldwide "party line" networks that allowing one to converse with others in real time. IRC is structured as networks of Internet servers, each accepting connections from client programs, one per user. The IRC community and the Usenet and MUD communities overlap to some extent, including both hackers and regular folks who have discovered the wonders of computer networks. Some Usenet jargon has been adopted on IRC, as have some conventions such as emoticons. There is also a vigorous native jargon. The largest IRC network is EFNet, with a smaller breakaway network called the Undernet having existed since 1992.
See also talk mode.
(09 Nov 1995)