Archive:IRC

Internet Relay Chat, or IRC, is an online protocol used to chat in near-realtime. IRC predates instant messaging and is particularly popular among F/OSS developers.

FreeCulture.org uses IRC for meetings and community chats, because
 * 1) it is an open protocol, and
 * 2) it is widely supported, including popular F/OSS implementations

FreeCulture.org maintains an IRC channel at #freeculture on server irc.freenode.net. Click here if you have an IRC client installed.

Standalone programs
IRC is widely supported by many programs. Below are a few:


 * mIRC - Windows
 * IRC with Pidgin - cross-platform F/OSS instant messaging program: Windows, Mac, GNU/Linux
 * X Chat for GNU/Linux and Windows (windows version requires purchase after a fixed time of usage)
 * X-Chat Aqua for Mac OS X, download here
 * Colloquy for Mac OS X
 * Chatzilla, an extension for Mozilla Firefox
 * IRC irssi and screen

If your ISP attempts to block IRC, there are ways around an IRC block.

Web portal
If you don't want to download anything (or are on a computer where you can't install programs), don't worry! You don't need to!

In addition to the above programs that support IRC, there are various web-based IRC portals, including [http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=freeculture&nick=FreeCulture.. the official Freenode IRC web portal] (recommended!), from which you can access #freeculture. Just solve the CAPTCHA and you're on your way!

This may be particularly useful if you have trouble connecting via other mechanisms or are on a shared computer.