Chat?

[User137]

That's a start. I'm now on channel #pascalgamedev in FreeNode irc, using NetTalk client. Chose that 'cause it's free and lightweight, with relatively good features.
Server: chat.freenode.net
Room: #pascalgamedev
It's simple command /join #pascalgamedev
If there's nobody on the channel, then it's automatically created and you might get moderator status. At least you can register your nickname by following guides you get from:
/msg NickServ HELP

You can also try http://webchat.freenode.net/

[Darkhog]

Yeah, I know about that - but when no one is on someone may take over channel. To protect channel from that would involve setting up IRC bots and that's outside of my capabilities. Anyway, I don't have time to be channel operator so someone else should be.

[imcold]

IIRC you could register the channel just like the nickname (but it might have been on another network). I'll join tomorrow.

[Darkhog]

I think Freenode support ChanServ (that's name of this service), but as you said it's network-specific. Some networks has it some doesn't. Anyway, I've tried to make channel for my site (now R.I.P.) few years ago and couldn't get ChanServ to work properly, though it was on Quakenet or esper.

[phibermon]

I'm getting deja vu...

[Darkhog]

I'm getting deja vu...

Meaning unknown. Requesting explanation.

[User137]

At least i get response from ChanServ:

<PRIVATE:Zaflis>help flags
- ChanServ: ***** ChanServ Help *****
- ChanServ: Help for FLAGS:
- ChanServ:  
- ChanServ: The FLAGS command allows for the granting/removal of channel
- ChanServ: privileges on a more specific, non-generalized level. It
- ChanServ: supports nicknames, groups and hostmasks as targets.
- ChanServ:  
- ChanServ: When only the channel argument is given, a listing of
- ChanServ: permissions granted to users will be displayed.
- ChanServ:  
- ChanServ: Syntax: FLAGS <#channel>
- ChanServ:  
- ChanServ: Otherwise, an access entry is modified. A modification may be
- ChanServ: specified by a template name (changes the access to the
- ChanServ: template) or a flags change (starts with + or -). See the
- ChanServ: TEMPLATE help entry for more information about templates.
- ChanServ:  
- ChanServ: If you are not a founder, you may only manipulate flags you
- ChanServ: have yourself, and may not edit users that have flags you
- ChanServ: don't have. For this purpose, +v grants +V, +o grants +O
- ChanServ: and +r grants +b.
- ChanServ:  
- ChanServ:  
- ChanServ:  
- ChanServ: If you do not have +f you may still remove your own access
- ChanServ: with -*.
- ChanServ:  
- ChanServ: Syntax: FLAGS <#channel> [nickname|hostmask|group template]
- ChanServ: Syntax: FLAGS <#channel> [nickname|hostmask|group flag_changes]
- ChanServ:  
- ChanServ: Permissions:
- ChanServ:     +v - Enables use of the voice/devoice commands.
- ChanServ:     +V - Enables automatic voice.
- ChanServ:     +o - Enables use of the op/deop commands.
- ChanServ:     +O - Enables automatic op.
- ChanServ:     +s - Enables use of the set command.
- ChanServ:     +i - Enables use of the invite and getkey commands.
- ChanServ:     +r - Enables use of the unban command.
- ChanServ:     +R - Enables use of the recover and clear commands.
- ChanServ:     +f - Enables modification of channel access lists.
- ChanServ:     +t - Enables use of the topic and topicappend commands.
- ChanServ:     +A - Enables viewing of channel access lists.
- ChanServ:     +S - Marks the user as a successor.
- ChanServ:     +F - Grants full founder access.
- ChanServ:     +b - Enables automatic kickban.
- ChanServ:  
- ChanServ: The special permission +* adds all permissions except +b, +S, and +F.
- ChanServ: The special permission -* removes all permissions including +b and +F.
- ChanServ:  
- ChanServ: - ChanServ: Examples:
- ChanServ:     /msg ChanServ FLAGS #foo
- ChanServ:     /msg ChanServ FLAGS #foo foo!*@bar.com VOP
- ChanServ:     /msg ChanServ FLAGS #foo foo!*@bar.com -V+oO
- ChanServ:     /msg ChanServ FLAGS #foo foo!*@bar.com -*
- ChanServ:     /msg ChanServ FLAGS #foo foo +oOtsi
- ChanServ:     /msg ChanServ FLAGS #foo TroubleUser!*@*.troubleisp.net +b
- ChanServ:     /msg ChanServ FLAGS #foo !baz +*
- ChanServ: ***** End of Help *****

Basic info is here http://freenode.net/using_the_network.shtml

[WILL]

I'm getting deja vu...

Meaning unknown. Requesting explanation.

Do a search for "IRC" through all the old posts here on PGD.

I hate the idea of raining on this parade, (as there is so few interested in contributing to the community these days) but the problem is that people in this community don't seem to like to contribute unless they can do it a couple of times and then give up. A lot of the people that used to contribute and continue contributing over an extended period of time have grow apart from the community sadly.

Unfortunately PGD has become a community of consumers rather than contributors for the most part.

By all means start an IRC channel or some other way to try to build the community at large, but unless you plan on staking your efforts into something that the majority will join in on and you plan on putting a lot of effort into, you'll probably end up wasting your time in the long run.

Notice many news posts on the front page lately? That's because I stopped. I've been too busy with family and my own commercial efforts lately so I've had to let the contributions to the community slip a bit. Sadly this means that everything slips because noone else puts in the required time and effort. (Save for the few that have been helping to keep the "invisible" spam away and welcoming newcomers. Thank you very much btw!!!)

If you really want to help the community, I'd invest in this place more. News, striking up design/development topics and talking about them in the forums, regualr blogs with imagery and video embedding (that's why I bought vBulletin for the community!) volunteering to run an event like a PGD Challenge. (There is lots of information on how, it just takes the time and effort.)