IRC stands for "Internet Relay Chat" and is a very popular method of instantaneous communication over the internet. The majority of this communication is done with text in a chatting channel. Users use an IRC client to connect to an IRC server, which then allows a user to connect to a chat channel or individually message other users.

IRC has been popularized by the media as being a haven for hackers and illegal file-sharing. While this occurs to some extent, the average IRC user uses IRC to chat with people from around the world. Topics of discussion vary from politics to technology to anything the mind can think of.

Unlike popular instant-messaging tools such as AIM, MSN, or Yahoo Messenger, individual IRC servers are run by independent volunteers. Like other popular instant-messaging tools, connecting to an IRC server is free of charge.