Video, sound, and sleek interfaces are common. IRC is Internet Relay Chat. It's not the only way, but it boasts the most people and is almost always the fastest. People sometimes write and ask why I don't explain exactly how to do something, like setting up an email filter or attaching a file. The reason is that there are too many different ways to accomplish something online, and the odds are against your computer being set up like mine.
Today is different.
Not because these are better, but because the majority of people use them. Or maybe you want a copy some other great IRC program, but you can't have it, because we're keeping it simple and using what's popular. At this point I would like to say that I am not responsible for any problems on your computer, including but not limited to a gang of Linux penguins coming around to rough you up. Everything you need to know to get started and have a good time is on those pages. However, I sense that not all of you want to be bogged down with instructions.