IRC Server

[LBK Rules]

I have been wondering how to setup a PHP-based IRC server. Is it even possible? Our team has a website, and a chat server would be a nice addition. Not to mention the possibilites of team webmeetings. (I know you can do that with AIM or MSN, but IRC is more compatable, IMHO.)

[Joe Ross]

Well, running an IRC server on your website is a completely different set of problems then having an irc client which connects to an existing IRC server. Which do you want?

[devicenull]

Its probably overkill to host an irc server.. you would be better off picking a network, and having some type of java irc client connect to it.

[Aignam]

If you're hosting your website with a company, make sure that anything you're doing in regards to IRC doesn't breach your Terms of Service. In my experience, most companies are very limiting in what you can and cannot do with IRC.

[Goobergunch]

Originally Posted by devicenull

Its probably overkill to host an irc server.. you would be better off picking a network, and having some type of java irc client connect to it.

Yeah - you can get a free java IRC client at http://www.pjirc.com, if you want one; that's what we use at http://www.friarbot.com/irc.php

[LBK Rules]

I know I am reviving this thread, but how do I find a network for our team?

[Greg Marra]

Originally Posted by LBK Rules

I know I am reviving this thread, but how do I find a network for our team?

There's lots of major IRC networks. Gamesurge, EFNet, Quakenet, etc.

Just do some research about which networks cater to which kind of people and pick one and register a channel with them. It's pretty simple.

If you need a whole list of networks, download mIRC and look at the list it has built in.

[Goobergunch]

Originally Posted by Greg Marra

There's lots of major IRC networks. Gamesurge, EFNet, Quakenet, etc.

Just do some research about which networks cater to which kind of people and pick one and register a channel with them. It's pretty simple.

If you need a whole list of networks, download mIRC and look at the list it has built in.

Note that a handful of networks (like the aforementioned EFnet) do not have IRC Services (such as ChanServ, which is necessary for channel registration). You almost definitely want to use a network with services, unless you have a lot of people prepared to be active 24/7.

[evulish]

Also, some servers like EFnet don't really moderate the types of channels allowed on the network (illegal and/or adult content). Even though your channel may be seperate, if EFnet or something is being accessed on a school computer, it MIGHT be breaking some sort of terms of service with the school.

[Astronouth7303]

Indeed. (EFnet, I believe, has services but not using chanserv or nickserv).

My personal favorite is ChatSpike. I happen to have several channels there (including the unofficial ChiefDelphi channel and the official FURC channel). it also has something called LaveServ.

Goober happens to use Esper, though I'm not so much of a fan of that.

Both Esper and ChatSpike have ChanServ, NickServ, and MemoServ.

Have fun!