Using IRC Pidgin - By Alex J. Tanner
Impress tutorial is here.
In this presentation I am going to cover a couple of things.
    * What Is IRC?
    * Different IRC Clients
    * Common IRC commands
    * Setting up IRC with Pidgin

What Is IRC?
    * IRC was created in 1998 by Jarkko Oikarinen
    * IRC works in a Server/User model
    * IRC is an open protocal
    * Unlike something like MSN messenger IRC is not controlled by one group

Servers & Channels
IRC works with Channels on Servers.  The server is pretty much self explanatory.  You can think of the channels as chatrooms.

    Example: #linuxbasement on irc.freenode.net
    Server: irc.freenode.net
    Channel: #linuxbasement
    Different IRC Clients

There are IRC clients for almost every Operating System.  Here are four clients for linux.
    * Pidgin, also known as Gaim
    * Xchat,
    * Konversation
    * IRSSI, command line based

Common IRC Commands:
    * /msg: Allows you to send a private message to another user on an IRC server
    * Example: /msg eclug
    * /nick: Change your nick
      Example: /nick SaschaRed
    * /me: Write a status post
      Example: /me is bored

Setting UP IRC with Pidgin
Step One:
    Click Accounts, then Add/Edit
   
   

Step Two:
    Click the Add button
   

Step Three:
    1. Pick a Screen name & Password.Enter irc.freenode.net for the server
    2. Press Save
   

Step Four:
    1. Type REGISTER and then your password.
    2. Hit Enter
   

Step Five:
    1. Type /join #linuxbasement
    2. Hit Enter
   

Step Six:
    Click Conversation and then AddStep Seven:
    1. Enter an Alias if you like
    2. Press Add
   

Step Eight:
    Now you have a listing in your buddy list for your IRC chat