Irc is a multi-user, multi-channel chatting network.  It allows
people all over the Internet to talk to one another in real-time.
Each irc user has a nickname they use.  All communication with
other users is either by nickname or by the channel that they or
you are on.  All IRCII commands begin with a / character.
Anything that does not begin with a / is assumed to be a message
that is sent to everyone on your channel.  Here is a list of
basic commands to help you get started:

    /LIST		Lists all current irc channels, number of
			users, and topic.
    /NAMES		Shows the nicknames of all users on each
			channel
    /JOIN <channel>	Join the named channel.  All non-commands
			you type will now go to everyone on that
			channel
    /MSG <nick> <msg>	Sends a private message to the specified
			person.  Only the specified nickname will
			see this message.
    /NICK		Change your nickname
    /QUIT		Exits irc.
    /HELP <topic>	Gets help on all IRCII commands.
    /WHO <channel>	Shows who is on a given channel,
			including nickname, user name and host,
			and realname.
    /WHOIS <nick>	Shows the "true" indentity of someone
			Use this often to make sure you know who 
			you are talking to, because nicknames are
			NOT owned so any number of people could
			use a nickname.

These commands should get you started on irc.  Use the /HELP
command to find out more about things on irc, or ask question of
people... most would be happy to help you out.