IRC

Channels

#installgentoo @ irc.installgentoo.com

#/g/technology @ irc.rizon.net - general tech channel, with some occasional off topic.

#/g/sicp @ irc.rizon.net - hardcore technology

#technology @ irc.freenode.net

Someone post the ricing channels

Clients

Hexchat - Windows + Linux (Free & Libre fork of X-Chat on Windows)

irssi - Linux/Unix Terminal Client

weechat - Linux/Unix Terminal Client

Limechat - Windows & OS X

Tutorials

http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/new2irc.html

http://rizon.net/info

Need to Know IRC Commands

/join

       Type /join #channelname -- to join a channel of your choice
       Example:  /join #installgentoo

/me

       The /me is an action message.
       Type /me 'does anything'
       Example:  /me waves hello

/msg

       Type /msg nickname (message) to start a private chat.
       Example:  /msg foobar Hey tat, how are you?

/nick

       /nick changes your nickname
       Example:  type /nick newnickname (limit 9 characters)

/ping

       Type /ping nickname.  What this command does is give you the ping time, or lag time, between you and the person you pinged.  Lag can be explained as the amount of time it take for you to type your message and for others to read your messages.  Unfortunately, lag is always a part of IRC, although most times it's not a problem, just a nuisance.
       Example:  /ping luv2quilt

/whois

       Type /whois nickname to see a bit more information about another user.  You'll see what server another person is using, or what their ISP is.  Pretty helpful when you don't recognize a nickname that wants to chat.  You may recognize the IP, (Internet Protocol) and then feel more comfortable carrying on a conversation.  You'll also be able to see what other channels a person is in, which might be a good indicator if you really want to talk with them or not.
       Example:  /whois bossmom

/help

       There's one more very helpful command, and probably the one you'll use a lot when first starting out.  In fact, I still use it quite a lotType /help, you'll see the the mIRC Help Menu open up.  You can do a search from there, or you can type /help topic.  Either way, a TON of information at your fingertips.
       Example: /help Basic IRC Commands