Interoperability Between Microsoft Chat and Internet Relay Chat

This article discusses the interoperability between Microsoft Chat and Internet Relay Chat (IRC).

Microsoft Chat is a graphical chat client that functions like an IRC text- based chat client when connected to an IRC server chat room (channel). Members inside the chat room are not required to use the Microsoft Chat client in order to communicate with Microsoft Chat users. Microsoft Chat automatically assigns a chat character to IRC text-based chat users, enabling participants who are using Microsoft Chat to view all members of the chat in a graphical representation.

When you are using Microsoft Chat in an IRC server chat room in which most of the other members are using IRC text-based chat clients, we recommend that you follow the steps below before you join the chat room:

1. On the View menu, click Options, and then click the Settings tab.
2. Under Connection, click the Don't Send Graphics Information check box to select it.
3. Click Apply, and then click OK.

Enabling this option prevents Microsoft Chat from sending special comic messages to IRC text-based chat clients. When you quit Microsoft Chat, these settings are reset.