How do i get an IRC chat server? I know nothing about this... but I want to use a java applet on my website to connect to an irc server.

if you want your own, you need to install ircd

Man, where to begin....

1) do you want your own IRC server or just link into a channel on something like dal.net?

2) if you want your own IRC server, does your ISP allow this? You might want to look into this first before making any decisions. I know alot do, but some do not allow it.

3) if you never have ran a IRC server, you really need to do some research prior to setting one of these babys up. We have several that we maintain for customers, and they are very very hectic to keep up with.

4) if you want to link into one from a webpage, you need something like JIRC or something of that fasion. There are only about 1000000000000000 of these things out there, just make sure you choose one that is tested and proven with security.

5) IRC servers are very subceptible to DoS, ICMP Floods, and the list goes on. Your ISP, even if they offer shells for IRC, needs to know what they are doing in this area or you will never be up, and possibly held liable for setting this toy up and not having alot of knowledge on it.

Basicly, what I am saying, a IRC server can be a massive undertaking, and that is why some providers specialize in it. There are other ways around all this mess:

1) Find a ASP or Java chat out on http://www.cgi-resources.com or something of that nature.

2) Go to bravenet.com and get one of thier free accounts and use thier chatroom script that they allow you to use free. Decent and fast, just not very robust.

Either way you are going to have to shell out some cash (anywhere from $15/mo up) for a IRCD, or buy a script if you want alot of functionality.

If you want, post up what you are wanting to do and I am sure you will get more feedback as to the best option for your scenario. A full IRCD for one chat room is not really feasible, I will say that.

If you don't know what you are doing with IRCd then I wouldn't recommend running one.

Especially when it comes to linking servers ;) thats a right pain in the a$$.

I'll second the point that it's better to just use a channel on a large IRC network like dal.net. That way you don't have to deal with the hassel of maintaining the server.

anyhoo Jpilot is probabbly the best java irc applet although personally I think the guy charges way to much for it!

a few others to look at are:
http://www.majik3d.org/~namhas/jicra/
http://eirc.sourceforge.net/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/snirc/

Thanks all... How do I register for a channel on Dal.net?

i know the guy who owns the dedicated server im hosted on used to run an IRCD for you for $30/quarter i think...

its on the irc.ecforums.com / irc.cubedesigns.com / irc.insanegamers.net / irc.undergroundcandy.net irc network...

...and i like jIRC from www.webmaster.com

Originally posted by acidHL
If you don't know what you are doing with IRCd then I wouldn't recommend running one.

Especially when it comes to linking servers ;) thats a right pain in the a$$.

Linking is easy :)

fatbargains heres some basic commands..

Register a nick
------------------
/msg nickserv register PASSWORD emailaddy

then the next time you goto the server type...

/msg nickserv identify PASSWORD


Register a chan (Must register your nick also)
---------------------------------------------------------

/msg chanserv register #channel PASSWORD



Help Commands
--------------------

/msg nickserv help

/msg chanserv help


List all availiable chans (mirc) (http://www.mirc.com)
-------------------------------------------------------------------

/list




Irc software
---------------

Unreal3.2 beta10 http://www.unrealircd.com


Services (nickserv etc)
----------------------------

http://www.auspices.org

http://www.epona.org


if anyone needs any help please contact me ;)

Thanks, now I know where to get that irc applet I need.

You may also want to try a network other than DALnet. They're having a ton of issues with flooder bots, spam bots, war bots, nuke bots, hacker bots and just about every other kind of malicious-intent program out there. Maybe you should try a smaller, but still stable, network if you're only going to run a chatroom.

Originally posted by Darth


Linking is easy :)

Think back to the first time you linked and seen all those confusing CN lines... it can be difficult the first time - after that it's a synch :D

--Shaun (who ran a small IRC network for almost 2 years).

Get www.webmaster.com's software. Its the best!

Sorry, im a services admin there, had to throw that in.

Originally posted by Darth


Linking is easy :)

Unless it goes wrong.. if you have never set up ircd.conf before your in for a headache...

I thought it was easy when i set up my first one. Im now about 100 into it and i can do it with my eyes closed. I also dont suggest using dalnet as its kinda slow.

Originally posted by acidHL


Unless it goes wrong.. if you have never set up ircd.conf before your in for a headache...

LOL you think thats hard!? check out unreals conf ;)

Aha good old UnrealIRCd - what version are they up to now?

Unreal3.2 beta10 :)

Originally posted by Darth


LOL you think thats hard!? check out unreals conf ;)

Something wrong with Unreal's conf? We used that exclusively on the 4 servers in our network; didn't have a problem.. it's only hard if you don't read the docs :D

--Shaun

No, nothings wrong with it.