If the client you are using does not have an automated way of joining the channel, simply type /join #BITTechChat Some clients have an automated way of doing this. Using your IRC client app, join the #BITTechChat channel.

Choose and register a nick (IRC username) on the freenode network.Connect to one of the many freenode servers using your clients method of connecting to IRC servers.Download and install one of the many free IRC client apps or use one of the web browser plugins listed below.Replace #channel with BITs channel name, which is #BITTechChat. Once connected you join the channel of your choice using the /join #channel command. Most clients have an automated way to connect to specific IRC servers however if you decide to use a command line client like irssi, then you will need to learn the commands to manually connect. IRC uses a client/server model so you must use one of the many IRC clients to connect to it’s servers (a list of Freenode servers can be found here). Also, most open source software companies use branded IRC channels as a way to discuss and answer technical questions regarding their products. For as long as I’ve been using IRC (well over 15 years), I’ve found it to be a great resource for getting questions answered by experts and enthusiasts or chatting about specific tech topics. IRC has long been a staple in the tech community. One of the pillars of BIT’s mission is to increase participation of African Americans and people of color in the tech arena so we wanted to offer a safe haven for our people to engage in serious technology discussions and at the same time learn proper IRC etiquette so that we know how to conduct ourselves in other IRC channels….and quite frankly, IRC is what serious techies use. Users register their “nick” (short for nickname and is the same as a screen name or handle) on one of the IRC servers. The channels are usually related to a common topic or interest. Those servers host channels (chat rooms) that users can connect to. It’s a great way to for users with common interest to gather and discuss that interest. It is a hosted internet texting (chat) service that allows participants to connect to a chat room via a chat client (Pidgin, mIRC,) and participate in group discussions, one to one discussions and file sharing. This channel is for those of us who really want to talk tech with our peers.

Blacks In Technology now has it’s own IRC channel on the freenode network. Some of you have asked for this in the past and now we are finally bringing it to you.

Mirc download software channel