IRC Communication Research ResourcesMass Media Resources |
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Lama, Yanji. [Title unknown]. Article: 308 of alt.irc The Michigan Daily, Ann Arbor, MI, 1/21/91 By Yanji Lama As the world anxiously awaited word from Israel after Iraqi missiles struck last Thursday, an international computer network allowed Israeli users in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa - and students in Ann Arbor - to communicate throughout the attack. Through Internet Relay Chat (IRC) - a special network that allows users to converse by being channel through servers located around the world - international events are being transmitted faster than network news and radio. Computer Engineering senior Mike Pelletier, a regional IRC server operator, said over 300 users were on-line during the attack - almost double the usual number of users on line at any given time. Pelletier said IRC was the only information source in Europe for four hours after the March 17 bombing of Israel by Iraq. International users relayed information they heard from local media while Israelis described what they were experiencing first-hand. Pelletier said users in Israel remained on-line while donning gas masks, telling of air raid sirens, local news reports, and their growing apprehension. Many had terminals in their sealed rooms and continued typing throughout the crisis. One user in Haifa under the name "Nati" typed "I'm shaking" during the bombardment. For Pelletier, being on-line with users all over the world, especially those in Israel during the bombing, was an experience that made the war even more personal. "I'm worried about Nati in Haifa," he said. Pelletier has not heard from Nati on IRC since the bombing. [I did over the weekend, however.] Even though several University students and Ann Arbor residents use IRC, Pelletier said he is surprised it isn't more popular. Pelletier described IRC as "truly the global village." Developed four years ago in Finland by Jarkko Oikarinen, IRC is a quicker alternative to the "talk" utility available on most UNIX systems. To connect with IRC, type in "irc" at a shell prompt of any CAEN (Computer Aided Engineering Network) supported UNIX machine. IRC conversations during the January 16 bombing of Baghdad and the March 17 [sic] bombing of Israel are stored an [sic] IRC log. More information about IRC can be obtained at the User Services Office at 231 Chrysler on North Campus. END Mike Pelletier - Usenet News Admin & Programmer |