Interest in an IRC chat channel?

[ixl]

Would folks be interested in me setting up an IRC chat channel for discussion of PC issues, problems, happenings, certification study and whatnot?
This would complement these forums (the forums aren't going away) but would be more for collegial chat and "real-time" stuff. Or maybe folks don't really want to go that route, what do you think?
Note that the forum shuffle is still going to happen, but I want to take a bit more time to think about options and get feedback.
Thanks, everyone, for making the forums so useful to all. You guys (and gals!) are the best.

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Charles M. Kozierok
Webslave, The PC Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com)
Comprehensive PC Reference, Troubleshooting, Optimization and Buyer's Guides...
Note: Please reply to my forum postings here on the forums. Thanks.

[Paleo Pete]

I thought about IRC, and it seems like it would work well, I know how to use it pretty well too. Only problem I see is keeping the idiots out, you see more insulting abusive people than normal folks usually...or it could be set up as a private channel by invitation or password only, that might work...Thought about ICQ too, in multiple participant situatiuons it has two display layouts, one is exactly like IRC, the other uses a separate window for each person. Having it open to anyone who wants to drop in wouldn't be such a consideration.

I like the IRC option, as long as we can set it up so the intrusions by the less considerate people will not be a major bother. It takes time and is a distraction to kick and/or ban them.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[ixl]

Simplest way I can put it: it's easier to keep abusive people out of a properly-administered IRC channel than it is to keep them out of here. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif
Fortunately, it's not likely we will have much problem with this anyway. We've only had a couple of incidents in what, six months here? Pretty darned good for a BBS, and that's a testament to quality of the people here.

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Charles M. Kozierok
Webslave, The PC Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com)
Comprehensive PC Reference, Troubleshooting, Optimization and Buyer's Guides...
Note: Please reply to my forum postings here on the forums. Thanks.

[bassvax]

For people like myself who have steered clear of the IRC and ICQ, but am familiar with the other chat programs like MSN Messenger and AOL Chat, you could provide a short tutorial along with some guidelines and a program download. I like the idea for when there needs to be a constant back and forth conversing to really solve a problem. Of course, you could just tell me to go find in on my own.

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Jerry

[ixl]

IRC is really easy. Even people who have never used chat before can get used to it quickly as there are now web-based interfaces that automate pretty much everything.
Note that if you folks want to set up ICQ or whatever instead, that's cool. But unfortunately, it's just not a viable option for me for a number of reasons.

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Charles M. Kozierok
Webslave, The PC Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com)
Comprehensive PC Reference, Troubleshooting, Optimization and Buyer's Guides...
Note: Please reply to my forum postings here on the forums. Thanks.

[4thandgoal]

I am all for it. A chat session here for certs would be great. I do not know ixl if you are hosting this from a Unix server or not, but if you are you may want to check out some of the IRC apps at this site : http://linux.davecentral.com/confirc.html

Of course most of this is for Linux, but some Unix server stuff is mixed in.

[bassman]

I think an open chat would be good. As far as abusive behavior, that is some thing we will have to deal with. Like Charles said "It can be dealt with easier" if we have the people to oversee it on a realtime basis.
My biggest concern would be that it is more work then necessary for those already providing us a great place to share and help.
I vote "YES" if you feel it could be done without taking away from what you are already doing.

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If your not living on the edge, your taking up to much space!

[Paleo Pete]

IRC Help (http://www.irchelp.org/) has the downloads, goo dinfo, about everything you need. I'm online now, and will be for a while. 8PM here.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)