IRC

Our main form of informal communication is IRC.

Where to find us

Join the chatter at #mch2022 on irc.oftc.net. (irc.oftc.net 6697)

If you don't have IRC client software, you can use the web chat client in your browser.

What is IRC?

IRC, or Internet Relay Chat is one of the oldest still active chat protocols on the internet. It is typically used with IRC clients that connect to IRC servers, which are grouped in IRC networks. Being a very open protocol, IRC does not prescribe any single specific program to use, so there are many to choose from, and they all work differently. If that sounds like too much work, the web chat is an easy way to skip all that. Do note, however, using a full IRC client gives more features and is more comfortable for long term sessions. Most seasoned IRC users leave their IRC clients connected 24/7!

A note for the IRC newbies among us: unlike most newer chat technologies, IRC is a "you had to be there" thing. You can't scroll back to conversations that happened before you joined the channel. To enjoy IRC, you will need to actually be present in the channel. So please be patient and wait for replies (and be forgiving if everybody seems to be asleep; just come back another time and try again.)

MCH IRC channels

Main channel: #mch2022 on OFTC.

• Badge is at #badgeteam
• Volunteering is at #mch2022-volunteers
• Family Zone is at #mch2022-family

For the IRC channels for individual teams see the Teams page.

IRC Clients

Recommended open source IRC clients:

Browser

• Web chat (recommended for beginners)

Graphical

• Hexchat
• Quassel Client+Server, client can have intermittent internet and you still get all the messages. Like a bouncer, just better

Terminal based

• Irssi
• Weechat

Feel free to edit this page and add your own recommendation. But please only include open source clients that you actually recommend :)

A huge list of IRC clients is available on Wikipedia.

Matrix

There's a Matrix bridge that allows bidirectional access to the MCH channels, for users of the Matrix federated chat network.

• Go to https://app.element.io/ or install the mobile app (iOS or Android)
• Register and/or login (free account on matrix.org works fine)
• In the web app:
  • Explore rooms
  • Search for #_oftc_#CHANNEL:matrix.org, for example: #_oftc_#mch2022:matrix.org, #_oftc_#mch2022-volunteers or #_oftc_#mch2022-family:matrix.org. For the IRC channels for individual teams see the Teams page.
  • Join (even if the room is not "found")
• In iOS:
  • Join a room (for example by pressing the + button)
  • Enter #_oftc_#CHANNEL:matrix.org, for example: #_oftc_#mch2022:matrix.org, #_oftc_#mch2022-volunteers or #_oftc_#mch2022-family:matrix.org. For the IRC channels for individual teams see the Teams page.
• In Android
  • Search for a room (for example by pressing the #+ button)
  • Enter #_oftc_#CHANNEL:matrix.org, for example: #_oftc_#mch2022:matrix.org, #_oftc_#mch2022-volunteers:matrix.org or #_oftc_#mch2022-family:matrix.org. For the IRC channels for individual teams see the Teams page.
  • Select the room and click JOIN
  • If the rooms keeps loading, you may have to back to your room list (top left <-) and click the room again