How to get there

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is an - by today's standards - ancient protocol for instant messaging/chat. It has been called "Multiplayer notepad" because of its basic functionality. More info about IRC here.

There are multiple IRC networks, we are located on one called Undernet. Lately the network has suffered some stability issues, and there are rumours that the future is uncertain. However, do not let that worry you! We are still there. More info about Undernet here. 

To connect to IRC you need an IRC client. (Personally I would recommend X-chat for a graphical client (supports most OS:s) and is fairly userfriendly, and if you are more comfy around computers - irssi.).   The quickest way to connect if you don't have an IRC client or cannot or don't want to install a client is through a web client (in your browser window). Try this one: http://www.mibbit.com/

History

From the archives - "About":

#Languages is one of the few channels on IRC devoted to talking about linguistics. All its members are interested in languages to some extent and they are willing to help those with linguistic problems in any way they can. However, many other topics are often discussed at #Languages, such as philosophy, sociology and culture. Anything goes so long as you discuss in a polite way and respecting all members.

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From the archives - "History":

#Languages was founded in early 1999 by two Finns, Chaosborg and Vaev.
The channel started off with few people, just the two founding operators and some occasional visitors, among which there was a Romanian. In June 1999, rashd (now known as _miguel^) popped up and he decided to enter the channel on a regular basis. In time, he became an operator, too. More people joined the channel later on. Abavagada was the most regular, but also Angasule, Wivani, Silva, _Anais_ and some others. Chaosborg drifted away from the channel slowly and eventually disappeared. So did Abavagada and the most of the members during 2000 and 2001, because they did not accept the fact that #Languages was not exclusively devoted to talking about linguistics, but also to making friends and chatting about culture or just life in general.
TimeLord joined the bunch in 2000 and became a quite regular member. He changed his nick to Jabbrwock in 2002. Wiseman, Noumenon and Silme joined the channel in 2001 and have been fairly regular members up to now, too. Sleepy and Hobbes are recent regular members, as well, and have operator status.

Written by Vaev(or Jabbrwock?) February 2003