# SDMB irc channel?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [September 10, 2000, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646 "2000-09-10T03:28:43Z")
**Posts on this page:** 16
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@nick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nick)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/1 "2000-09-10T03:28:43Z")
Well, does this exist?
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### Author:  [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/2 "2000-09-10T03:51:25Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by nick \*
> \*\*Well, does this exist? \*\*
#straightdope
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### Author:  [@sterwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sterwill)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/3 "2000-09-10T03:58:14Z")
Nick might also need to know which network it’s on. #straightdope on the [Undernet](http://www.undernet.org/) is the only channel I know of. Usually you can connect to a server by country code ([us.undernet.org](http://us.undernet.org), [ca.undernet.org](http://ca.undernet.org), etc.). [http://www.undernet.org/servers.html](http://www.undernet.org/servers.html) is an up-to-date list of explicit servers.
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### Author:  [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/4 "2000-09-10T04:28:46Z")
Please note that this is not an OFFICIAL Straight Dope service. The Straight Dope staff don’t run it.
Lynn
Administrator
For the Straight Dope
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### Author:  [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/5 "2000-09-10T04:44:57Z")
I’m lost on this…
How the Hell do you punch in the info and where? Where do I put in ‘undernet’? In the browser? Do I need to be going through Outlook express? Or is this strictly an AOL deal?
Can I come up with any more questions?
Feel lucky I didn’t ask you the DOS command sequence I was about to the other day. My brother laughed at me when I asked him. I know squat about DOS commands and what your talking about now.
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### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/6 "2000-09-10T05:05:21Z")
First off, as Lynn noted, #StraightDope is _not_ in any way endorsed, run by or otherwise connected to the actual Straight Dope, the Chicago Reader or anything else. It’s just a bunch of us who hang out there.
#StraightDope runs off the Undernet server network. You need some form of IRC client to access it. Your best bet, if you’re a PC user, is [mIRC](http://www.mirc.com) or else you can access IRC via the web. Your best bet for a web connection is through [Undernet](http://www.undernet.org)’s site and I’d give you the exact address except it doesn’t seem to be working at the moment. You can also use [mIRCx](http://www.mircx.com) which is a java based IRC client, but that requires you to know the server names.
If you get mIRC, it already has a list of Undernet servers on it. Just click on one and you’re on the network. Then type in /join #StraightDope and you’ll be in the channel. If anyone needs additional help, you can mail me (it’s in my profile) and I’ll be glad to help you out.
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### Author:  [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/7 "2000-09-10T05:58:45Z")
It’s probably because I’m technically illiterate, but I find it easier to go through [Fathom](http://fathom.org/teemingmillions/chat.adp). Is this wrong?
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### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/8 "2000-09-10T06:04:20Z")
Not at all. I tend to give the direct addresses to Undernet’s java client because it’s the one most likely to be up and running (ironic that it was down when I looked). I’ve heard some complaints about other java clients, but I don’t use them so I’m not one to judge 'em. Use whatever is easiest for you (which for most people is mIRC – I never heard of anyone using it and then going back to java) and come join us.
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### Author:  [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/9 "2000-09-10T06:22:55Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni \*
> \*\*Please note that this is not an OFFICIAL Straight Dope service. The Straight Dope staff don’t run it.
>
> Lynn
> Administrator
> For the Straight Dope \*\*
Please note that the same rules of “Don’t be a jerk” etc. still apply. Granted, we are a bit less persnickity about spelling, since it’s LIVE and all.
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### Author:  [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/10 "2000-09-10T06:27:19Z")
Thanks for the input, but I still can’t seem to get anything live.
I’m sorry, but you have to explain it as simple as possible to me, because I joined the IRC thing way to late. I remember the Mosaic days when others in the comp. room were doing this thing. I didn’t even get it then. I was too busy doing _homework_!!!
Actually, I was playing Sim City, but noone knew. The original to me is by far and away the best.
Anyrate, when I hit the Fathom site, I get a Mr. Dopy message that’s remained the same since the first time I’ve checked it (about a month ago). As far as I can tell, there’s noone on the site and nothing much is happening.
Oh well, I’ll check this tommorrow afternoon after the game, I’m not so interested in joining in on the chat, well, maybe, but don’t bust a nut trying to explain it to me now.
Besides, I’ve had a couple of Mike’s Hard Lemonade tonight and am about to faceplant my pillow. This stuff is great.
To all that have tried to help, thanks for the effort, I appreciate it.
And **Homer** , are you like twelve years old? I’m half in the bag now and seem to be spelling quite fine.
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### Author:  [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/11 "2000-09-10T06:32:16Z")
And if it isn’t known by now…
**YES** , I understand that it is not endorsed by the SDMB.
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### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/12 "2000-09-10T07:08:39Z")
Cnote, try the Fathom link and sue the client there if you want to get started. Ignore the MrDopey stuff (long story and irrelevant here) and take comfort in the fact that people ARE there. Just enter your name in the box that says “your-name” and hit Connect or whatever it says. If you want to know who’s in the channel, you can try:
[http://www2.satexas.com/~mortwight/straightdope.html](http://www2.satexas.com/~mortwight/straightdope.html)
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### Author:  [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/13 "2000-09-10T07:46:32Z")
Thanks…
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### Author:  [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/14 "2000-09-10T09:25:25Z")
[hijack]
Chris, I remember trying to spell correctly for awhile, and then just saying ‘fuck it’ and flinging my fingers at whatever keys they hit. Sad, no?
[/hijack]
–Tim
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2000, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/15 "2000-09-10T18:31:45Z")
Connecting sucessfully is no guarantee that there’ll be other people on chat at the same time, of course. Evenings seem to be the busiest time, im my (very limited) experience.
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### Author:  [@Akatsukami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akatsukami)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2000, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-irc-channel/32646/16 "2000-09-11T22:04:34Z")
**Jophiel** writes:
> [@](#):
>
> Cnote, try the Fathom link and sue the client there if you want to get started.
Hey, it’s a program, not a legal career! 🙂
(Sorry, **Jophiel** , but sometimes I just can’t resist.)