Nowadays, when people think of IRC (Internet Relay Chat), people think of large channels full of spammers and idle users. Finding a decent IRC server out there shouldn’t be difficult, nor should its setup drive you, the user, up the wall in frustration and annoyance. There are hundreds, probably more accurately, thousands of different sized chat servers out there. While there is no doubt many of them are wonderful servers, this review is about one in particular: WhatNET.
WhatNET was founded in March of 2002 after splitting away from a larger server that had turned down a less pleasant path. Without going into details or belittling the other server, WhatNET came to be rather suddenly. However, just because it was new in name does not mean that the founders behind it were new at the responsibilities that were required for running something stable and safe for users. In fact, all of the founders were quite apt at running a server from prior experiences. This taken into consideration, they linked their separate servers together easily and formed what is now known as WhatNET.
WhatNET hosts on average around 300 users at any given time, however, it obviously fluxuates higher or lower depending on the time of day and location of most of the users, but at any moment of the day there is almost a guarantee of users willing to chat. WhatNET is composed of 5 separate servers, which allow people from all over to connect to the main server easier depending on the location. One can join based on location by putting in, for example, boston.us.whatnet.org, or if they are unfamiliar with the servers and locations – they may simply type irc.whatnet.org which connects to a “round robin”. A round robin, basically, connects you to one of the servers without the user having to know where they need to connect to get onto chatting fastest. There is also java chat available, which is an option to still chat on the server without having to download an IRC client.
There are several features of WhatNET which users should be made aware of when chatting. For example, a lot of irc servers have ‘nickserv’ which reserves a nickname to a specific person. WhatNET does not have this option, nor will they ever. They feel that you can still be known as a certain user online while not having to posess a designated nickname at all times. Instead, they offer H. H is a service, as you will see all their services are one-letter nicknames. H allows you to authenticate to a handle, which may operate a lot like nickserv in most cases, but, means that you simply use the same name to login to services to be identified. This means if you register under the handle Susie, you can log on as Ethyl and still be recognized as Susie without having to change your nickname. Like with nickserv, you need a password for this option.
Q is a channel bot. Mainly it means the channel is registered and with a command such as .users you can see who the regulars are in the channel right on up to owners and when he or she last made an appearance. While funtional as an information booth, it also has a game option on it such as .8ball, which the syntax to use that is .8ball followed by your question here. It randomly generates a response just like the real deal.
WhatNET also offers memoserv, known solely as M. The function of M is to send long distant messages to users even if they are online and idle, or offline. To use M you must be registered under H.
O is Opserv, which is solely used for IRCops so that they can keep the server friendly and safe for users. O can kill, g-line (global ban from full server) or even k-line (ban from one of the five available servers) users or bots.
Finding assistance on WhatNET is also extremely easy. Operators and experienced users often hang out in their main server channel, #whatnet, as well as in #help, both easily found by typing /join #whatnet (for example) in your Editbox, commonly referred to as where you type your text before hitting enter. Also, if you desire an operator to report an abusive user or other important matter, you can type .ircops (or playfully type .nerds) to get a list of available and unavailable operators on the server.
If you just wish to know where to chat, you can override trying to ask and simply typing /list in your box. It’ll generate a list of channels based on users currently in. The larger channels are shown first for easy access. This function is moreso irc in general than a specific WhatNET specialty.
WhatNET also has a ‘blog’ celebrity on their server in the channel known as #maddox. One can guarantee conversations there already going when one joins or one starting shortly after joining. However, that is not what WhatNET is about. There are numerous other channels out there with ample users on various subjects and interests. Most are general chat, so don’t feel obligated to converse solely about the channel’s name or topic if others are talking other things in there. Any users best bet is to merely say hello and see where the conversation goes from there.
WhatNET’s website offers information on who runs the various servers, as well as a link to the java site. It also has an AUP (Acceptable User Policy) for users to read and follow before chatting. As the website changes and expands, the site will tentatively reach out to the non-english speaking users, as well as offer tutorials on how to download irc clients and from where, as well as generalized IRC help. Also, by typing /msg H,Q,M help (whichever you desire) a vast and easily understood help file becomes available. There are also e-mail addresses listed in case you require help or have a general question/comment about WhatNET.
While still rather new, WhatNET’s user numbers have steadily grown since 2002 and has offered a fairly stable atmosphere to chat under without having too many netsplits (Where one server splits from another separately). In time, the numbers will no doubt increase as WhatNET welcomes more and more users from all areas of the world. With a mixture of friendly users as well as a friendly and understanding staff, WhatNET is definitely one of the better smaller servers out there.
