IRC is Internet Relay Chat. You can connect is several different ways.
mIRC is a very popular client that you can get from here
X-Chat is also pretty popular. You can find that here. It was orginally made for linux but now has a windows port.
This a CGI client in case your not able to install any software or behind a firewall or something that prohibits you from connecting. Take a look here.
There isn't a official irc channel for AO anymore but there are a few scattered networks that members hang out in.
One of them is called A New Era Irc.
The network adress is irc.anewerairc.net and the main room is called #lobby .
In mIRC you can find Unerror in the server list.
It also has a java client that will bring you to us here .
If you have any problems message me on here (private message) or aim : Gadg3tt.
You can also use the java client for UnError (A New Era) and one of us there will help ya.
Good Luck,
hjack
edit : Just an after thought but there is another hangout @ irc.smdc-network.org. This is Shrekkie's (aka Raiden) server.
"Where the tree of knowledge stands, there is always paradise": thus speak the oldest and the youngest serpents.
- Friedrich Nietzsche
So thats whare you guys are hiding. I knew there was an irc channel /me /server irc.anewerairc.net -j #lobby | /msg nickserv register <pass> <email> READY!