I’m interested in knowing the results to this as I have seen first hand a huge difference in both player and DM interaction between somebody that uses it and somebody (me) that doesn’t.

It’s a bit discouraging actually as neither myself or my computer (it’s old too) are very good at multi-tasking, so even getting it installed wouldn’t help.

Anyone having issues with a traditional IRC client might try a web client instead.

www.mibbit.com

I have IRC, but I have trouble Alt-Tabbing to use it whilst IG. I usually just use it to speak with people, or spout nonsensical gibberish.

I use it while IG. That way when people try to 'RP' with me instead of smash people, I can ignore them easier.

I always have it running, and use it while IG. I window my nwn every once in a while if I am tryin to coordinate stuff both IG and IRC.

RIPnogarD I’m interested in knowing the results to this as I have seen first hand a huge difference in both player and DM interaction between somebody that uses it and somebody (me) that doesn’t.

It’s a bit discouraging actually as neither myself or my computer (it’s old too) are very good at multi-tasking, so even getting it installed wouldn’t help.

Hey Rip,

Get in touch with me and I can find an older copy of IRC that should work with your system.

Also there are other clients that will interlink with IRC. Ubuntu Linux has released one that is called Pigeon. It has the power to link with with other chat clients plus IRC! Add to the fact that it is an Open Source Code... aka free as in FREE BEER.

Personally I do not use in game.

I only use it while not IG, to catch up with people in my factions.

Using while IG is too immersion breaking for me. If I cannot find a fellow player or a DM while IG, that is just too darn bad but I will live nonetheless. If that makes me a bad player then, ... well, I die a lot.

Oh the contradiction!

I cant use it IG, as I usually like to use full screen mode.

Still, I talk there quite a bit.

Your computer can run NWN, but not even the most primative forms of IRC? :/

Oh well, use it, and you will find communication improves quite a bit, yes!

I understand the 'use' of IRC, I just think I resent the fact that it seems if you don't have / use it then you are just S.O.L, when it comes to somethings. I have tried numerous time in game to contact a DM and have yet to recieve a reply...but oh well.

I choose not to use IRC because it will interfer with the game immersion, and I play here for that reason. If I want to 'chat' with someone at the same time I'll use the phone. Or one of the other 'voice' chat clientes out there.

But, as I said that is MY decision, so I must live with the consequences.

Yes my computer can run NwN, but it tends to only want to run only one program at a time, (hell, it takes me 5 to 10 seconds just to transition between maps). The only reason I have not purchased NwN2 is due to the fact that my computer can’t support it.

I’m thinking it’s time for a new computer and you guys are going to help my debate with my wife to show I need a new puter before she needs a dang laptop. 8) Thanks guys! :wink: (You've just been chaotically used.) .

I have a new computer now. :D

As soon as my son gets done doing all the upload, download, interface computer-ninja-geek stuff to it, I’ll be ready to rock.

Thanks for your help guys. 8)

I discovered IRC today. I probably have to spend more time there to even understand what the hells the folks are typing about...

Oh, by the way, the open-source IRC client is called Pidgin, not Pidgeon, in case you can't find it. You can get it here: www.pidgin.im

If you use Firefox, there's a plugin that'll put IRC in to that. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/16 I tend to run FF along with NwN for when i want to check the forums while in-game, either for mechanics changes or to check what notices are up in an area.

In that case, I reckon it can help RPing as I can emote *reads poster tacked to wall*, tab across to Firefox, read someone's price list, then make an offer to buy something. Several merchant players got irritated with me before because I'd forgotten the prices and asked them what they had for sale instead of checking the forums. Although if they're that bothered with saving time, a scribed note on the floor would be easier.

I used to play full-screen mode and therefore it really was too much of a hassle to use IRC while IG. But, being able to contact other players and DM's once out of game is very handy. Or if it is an urgent situation I could minimize the game, jump on IRC and try to get a DM there.

I now play windowed mode and have IRC running off to the side. Frankly I find it *much* less immersion breaking than 9,438,567,354 tells IG. Especially when you're getting them from different people and yet still trying to RP out something. Facing a wall of green text is distracting to say the least. >_>

Since it's been mentioned - Something else to keep in mind is that /dm is only useful when there's a DM IG. Since we never really know if there is one (unless they make themselves known), you could send a million /dm and never get a response. Not to mention that if they are IG, who knows what they may be up to. (I do agree though that even a quick "I'm busy" when they are on would be nice).

My advice to anyone ... even if you choose not to use it IG, do yourself a favor and look into it. I lurked (and still mostly do) for awhile, but it does really help foster communication between players and with the DM's. Not just for IG purposes either.

Letsplayforfun I discovered IRC today. I probably have to spend more time there to even understand what the hells the folks are typing about...

You need not understand what the hells folk are typing. :roll:

The majority of the main screen chat is sophomoric jokes and arguments. Those should be ignored as you want to focus on the game of course. :wink:

Ask a mechanics question, ask for DM help, etc. and you are bound to get people out of the sewer and will provide you with useful answers. :o

Private converstaions or faction conversations will have much more meaningful discussions.

Sophomoric = conceited and overconfident of knowledge but poorly informed and immature :idea:

For better or worse using it will get you a much faster response from DM's, understandable really as its much easier for them to respond via IRC than any other method.

Here's the deal with this. People who use IRC don't get deliberately treated better than anybody else. IRC is not required. Tons and tons of people don't use it, many who do just fine.

#efu in and of itself can be pretty poor, and should be taken with a grain of salt.

I make a real effort to respond to every DM message I see, and certainly forum Pms. But when Dms are IG, a lot of the time they'll be really busy. And a lot of the time, there won't be a DM IG.

Whereas with IRC, I leave IRC on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During the evening when I am doing something else I can easily check IRC occasionally. If I'm working in the toolset, I can still have IRC up. If I'm checking the forums, likewise. It is an excellent tool to: get a DM to check on an application, get a DM to induct you into a faction in a timely manner, get a DM to answer a question, check to see if a DM can go IG to watch PvP, talk with a DM about a concept or a plan. Keep in mind if you don't get an immediate response, don't be surprised, because people will only respond when they're at their PC, which obviously is not all day.

Occasionally it's also a good place to engage in banter, hear funny stories about things that happened in the past, get to know other people a little bit better as players, etc.

I encourage people to use IRC (it is an extremely simple application that consumes very little in the way of system resources), but it is not required and it is not true that DMs treat people who don't use it as some kind of second class citizen.

IRC is truly a useful tool, since I got IRC, I noted that I am much more spoken to, and can get juicy tidbits on plots.

It's a tool for players to approve the RP, get advice, and much more.

It's a place where you can bother howland and get away with it.

It's a place, be happy!

IRC is great. I can make fun of Kotenku 24/7 to people who know who I'm talking about!

It's also extremely useful, but that's unimportant in comparison.

Wait-

By juicy tid-bits of plots, do you mean META-GAMED!!!!!!!2 information?

*Cough* Former plots *Cough, glances surreptitiously and slides back into the back ground*

Former or not, don't do this.

Depending on the severity it is a bannable offence.

I use IRC, but only for EFU. I never really used it before joining the community.

I also have the luxury of having multiple laptops so i can run the game on one and IRC on the other, though only one of them has the omph to run NWN.

But thanks for the tip on the web based client, might be something worth looking into.

IRC is the tool of the elitists. If you don't use it, you're not with the in-crowd. I encourage you to use it, really. There's nothing like talking on IRC and getting PVPed when your NWN's minimalized... Coldburn 0-3 Anthee.

I definately IRC while IG. I'm lucky to have three 'Puters though so that makes it easy. When I first started playing EFU I kind of had to, I had no frickin idea how to do anything, I mean mechanically speaking. I asked questions all the time in #efu and I have to say, people were really responsive. Helped alot. Helps with asking about builds too. People here know how to make a damn good character build, I did not when I first arrived... (course it could be argued that I still don't)

IRC it up man, you get to know people alot better which makes RP more fun.

IRC is a great resource for builds, character concept advise, and hot e-loving.. but, as has been previously said, there's a hell of a lot of pointless rambling, trolling, and fooling around that could confuse a newbie to IRC. This, however, comes with the package, as EfU is full of odd people, myself included.