What is IRC, and how does it work?

 
IRC (Internet Relay Chat) provides a way of communicating in real time with people from all over the world. Generally, the user (such as you) runs a program (called a "client") to connect to a server. Recommended clients:
 
 Once connected to an IRC server , you will usually join one or more "channels" and converse with others there. Conversations may be public (where everyone in a channel can see what you type) or private (messages between only two people, who may or may not be on the same channel). IRC is not a "game", and I highly recommend you treat people you meet on IRC with the same courtesy as if you were talking in person or on the phone, or there may be serious consequences.