DCC stands for "Direct Client Connection".

What this means is that when this type of connection is established, it is maintained not between nicknames on a network, but between computers on the Internet. Secure and direct, DCC features - be it for file transfer or chat - are the best of their kind.

DCC Chat is virtually lagfree and a blessing on a night plagued with netstorms. In the event of a Netsplit, a DCC connection keeps people in touch with one another. The nature of a DCC connection allows it to work independently of the server.

The catch 22 is that in order for two kindred DCC spirits to connect, they have to be within IRC distance of eachother. If someone is lagged a few minutes, a DCC connection will take that long to reach the other party on that same network, but once the connection is made, chatting may resume reliably, and instructions may be given for them to join a common server.

With most IRC software, once a DCC chat connection is made, chatters can then travel to different IRC networks and remain in contact with eachother!

Contents © D. DAVID