Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a form of instant communication over the Internet. It is mainly designed for group (many-to-many) communication in discussion forums called channels, but also allows one-to-one communication.
IRC was created by Jarkko Oikarinen (nickname "WiZ") in late August 1988 to replace a program called MUT (MultiUser talk) on a BBS called OuluBox in Finland. Oikarinen found inspiration in Bitnet Relay Chat which operated on the Bitnet network.
IRC gained prominence when it was used to report on the Soviet coup attempt of 1991 throughout a media blackout. It was previously used in a similar fashion by Kuwaitis during the Iraqi invasion.
More on [ Internet Relay Chat ]
Networks :: IRC
Servers :: IRC
IRC :: Protocols
IRC :: Chat

asuka - Development page of the IRCd used by QuakeNet.
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Beware Ircd - A small (less than 200 KB) IRC server for Windows that is able to handle large numbers of users.
Blitzed Open Proxy Monitor - BOPM is an open-source open proxy monitor which works with the Hybrid, Bahamut, Xnet, Unreal and Dancer IRCDs.
ChatSpace - Commercial chat server for small to mid-size businesses.
Meta Description: [ Akivas Open Collaboration technologies and services enable enterprises to collect ideas from employees, customers, partners and suppliers to dramatically improve business performance through rapid innovation and reduced expenses. ]
ConferenceRoom - Popular commercial IRC server for Windows.
Meta Description: [ ConferenceRoom homepage - We are the
marketshare leader in real-time chat applications installed in thousands of
web sites with millions of users worldwide. ConferenceRoom, the WebMaster
Chat/Conferencing client & server software is the perfect choice for
reducing your communication costs in ... ]
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DALnet - Bahamut - Bahamut is an Internet Relay Chat Daemon (IRCd) designed for DALnet, one of the major IRC networks in the world.
DALnet IRCD - The DALnet FTP archive. More than just IRCDs.
DICE - A multi-protocol hybrid server that offers simultaneous connectivity from IRC-, opennap-, and HTTP clients (WWW browsers).
Faerion - An open source multi platform IRC server developed with respect to internationalization and portability.
FWS IRCd - Windows IRC server with a reasonable amount of configuration/tweaking options. It also has VBScript support, a built-in HTTP server (IRCd information), IRC Services, DNS server, client graph program, many IRC tools and some IRC clients.
Global IRC-d - IRC server for MacOS. Compatible with most clients on all platforms. News, shareware download, FAQ and help pages, mailing list.
Meta Description: [ Global IRC-d Home Page. Welcome to the only working IRC server for the Macintosh ]
IgnitionServer - An open source/free RFC1459 compliant IRCX server for Windows with services (NickServ, ChanServ, etc.) and remote administration.
Meta Description: [ Open source collaboration solutions for enterprise, business, home, and communities. Including ignitionServer, an open source IRCX collaboration server, ignitionLite, an open source browser-independent webchat, and ignitionCollaborate, an IRCX instant messenger (IM) client. ]
IRC Defender - IRC Defender is a fully modular perl program which helps with securing a medium to large network against abusive users, bot attacks, and ban evasion, amongst other things.
IRCD - Release notes, free download, documentation and FAQ for the (now historical) original Internet Relay Chat Daemon.
IRCD-Hybrid - The IRC server software used on networks like EFnet, one of the original irc servers.
Meta Description: [ IRCD-Hybrid, a high performance ircd daemon ]
IRCXpro - IRC server for Windows. Free trial version, FAQ, manual, reviews, example sessions. Also offers messenger client.
Meta Description: [ IRCXpro is the ultimate communication software. Our server software can power live internet chat and our messaging software makes our products ideal for internal communication for your business. ]
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Old IRC Depository at cs-pub.bu.edu - Out of date distribution site; for historical purposes only.
PTlink IRC Software - PTlink IRC Sofware provides a set of software packages useful for establishing a secure IRC Network.
Meta Description: [ PTlink IRC Software - Software for IRC Networks ]
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The DarkFire IRC Daemon - The server software used on the DarkFire IRC Network. An robust IRCd based on Dreamforge with enhancements and years worth of changes.
The Inspire IRC Daemon - InspIRCd is a C++ IRC Daemon for Linux and BSD systems. The system is modular and scalable and includes a module API.
The Perl IRC Daemon - News, view CVS tree, mailing lists, readme file, and source downloads.
TR-IRCd - An IRCd that combines the comfort of bahamut with the reliability of hybrid, adding user security related features.
UltimateIRCd - IRCd based on dalnet DreamForge IRCd.
Meta Description: [ ShadowRealm Creations ]
Undernet IRCD - The Undernet IRCD server.
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UnrealIRCd - One of the most feature-packed IRC servers in the world.
Windows IRC servers - Several (outdated) IRCDs compiled for the Windows Platform.
Meta Description: [ IRC Server for the Win32 Platform (IRCd for Win32) ]
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