Sydney Linux Users Group (SLUG)

Much conversation in the SLUG community is achieved through IRC.

The SLUG IRC channel is #slug on Freenode. This network can be accessed via the server available at irc.slug.org.au.

New to IRC?

If you're new to IRC, read this guide and try a client like Pidgin or Xchat.

IRC culture tends to differ from what you see on instant messaging networks like Jabber/Google Talk or Yahoo! Instant Messenger. Regulars often stay logged in for long periods, but for most of this time they are not actively chatting. For them, IRC chatting is a background activity, to be engaged in from time to time as an occasional diversion from their real work.

It is not uncommon for there to be a considerable delay between a message being issued and someone making a response. The SLUG IRC channel is most busy on weekdays in the 6pm-10pm AEST time frame, i.e. after work. Outside of that time you might find the conversations to be less instantaneous.

What this means for newcomers is that you should not expect an immediate response to your questions/statements. Don't presume that others are poised at their keyboards ready to pounce on your every query.

If you keep this advice in mind and exercise some patience (or do something else in the meanwhile — modern computers multitask very well!), you might be able to get some help and make some friends :)