|
IRCHelper.co.uk |
|
|
WebTV and Internet Relay ChatBy Ngan Bui (Ariell) and Joseph Lo (Jolo), with help from FraN2k and
ExPeaches WebTV opened the world of the Internet to many people through an inexpensive computer that uses your existing TV. While WebTV is generally adequate for web browsing and email, it's harder to do more complicated things, and you can't take advantage of specialized programs designed for those tasks. For example, while you can use WebTV to chat, you must go through their web interface. Compared to using a chat "client" program on a PC, WebTV provides extremely limited access to chat networks and very few commands. Imagine if you could only watch movies on video - not every movie comes to video, and even then you have to wait half a year before it's released, and watch it on a much smaller screen without any of the exciting digital sound effects. The same is true with chatting via WebTV. We therefore developed this chat guide specifically for WebTV customers so you can make the best use of your service. Contents1. Getting StartedIRC (Internet Relay Chat) allows you to communicate live with people from all over the world. It consists of many separate networks of IRC servers, machines that allow users to connect to IRC. The largest nets are EFnet, Undernet, IRCnet, and DALnet. Of course we say Dreamwave is the best :) On IRC, people know you by a nickname. At the present time, you will always have the same name as your username. However, on WebTV, you can create up to five secondary users and use any of them to chat on the Internet. Group conversations occur on the thousands of channels on each network. Channels can be open to everyone or only to friends. For a list of channels, see #IRChelp's channel listing page. Channels are dynamic because anyone can create a new channel, and a channel disappears when the last person on it leaves. [ Contents ] 2. Networks And ServersBy default WebTV users can chat on Talk City, one of the largest web-based chat servers. These servers are like the tip of the iceberg compared to the much larger and more exciting IRC networks. To reach other IRC networks, you need to know the address of a server on that network, the port number, and the channel name. You may not be able to access all networks or servers due to restrictions placed on each server to limit the kind of people who can connect. After you have this information, do the following:
Note that all channels names begin with a # symbol, but using the Go to feature you can optionally type the # or not (such as #help or help). You do not type the # when using the /join command mentioned below. See the list of servers and networks for some suggestions. Once you have connected successfully, you may talk by just typing into the text field at the bottom of the chat screen. Then choose Send (or hit the Return key on your keyboard). See the next section for specific commands you can also type. [ Contents ] 3. Commands for WebTV ChatEach command begins with a slash character (/) and you just type them into the same text field at the bottom of the chat screen.
[ Contents ] 4. Limitations of WebTVIn addition to the commands described in the previous section, you also have the option of making a private channel. When you create a new channel, check off the option to create a private, unlisted channel. Unfortunately that's about all you can do with WebTV. Below we will list just some of the many things you cannot do. There's no way around this unless WebTV chooses to improve their software, or unless you get a "real" personal computer which would allow you to run a "real" IRC client program (such as mIRC for Windows or Ircle for Macintosh).
There are many other things that WebTV users cannot do. I don't think it's necessary to list everything. Until WebTV gives more options to their users, accept the limitations and enjoy IRC with what you have. IRC is still primarily for "chatting", and you can still do that as a WebTV user. Returning to my earlier analogy, there is much more to the magic of movies than video tapes. One day when you get a real personal computer you'll be amazed at what else you can do with IRC! [ Contents ] 5. Finding More HelpFor specific questions on WebTV and how it works with IRC, email the customer support at wecare@webtv.net. Here are all the ways to get more help.
|