1. Start your favorite IRC client 
  1. /server irc.oftc.net
  1. /join #kernelnewbies
  1. Ask what you want to know without asking permission to ask and keep the discussion ontopic (i.e. about kernel programming).

Alternatively try this URL: irc://irc.oftc.net/kernelnewbies (should work with many browser / IRC client combinations)

== Intro to IRC ==
IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is communication network. Users can talk together in realtime, each user has a nick. There are rooms (called channels) on IRC, their names begin with #. For more information browse to [[http://www.irchelp.org/]].

Kernel newbies are gathered on #kernelnewbies on irc.oftc.net. This channel is about kernel development, its internals and so on. For general Linux discussion please go to other channels like #linux, or one with the name of your favorite Linux distribution.

== How to simply join #kernelnewbies IRC ==
Kernel newbies are using IRC network at [[http://www.oftc.net/|OFTC.net]]. If you don't have a favorite IRC client (or you don't know any), choose one:
 * xchat (GUI, gtk, runs under Linux other Unices and also Windows)
 * irssi (text only, Linux & Unices)
 * kvirc (GUI, kde, Linux & Unices)
 * ksirc (GUI, kde, Linux & unices)
 * konversation (GUI, kde, Linux & Unices)
 * BitchX (text only, Linux & Unices)
 * Pidgin (GUI, gtk)
 * [[https://webchat.oftc.net/?channels=kernelnewbies|webchat]]

Upon first start, some clients popup a window with serverlist. If you don't want to play with it and click, close it and you'll probably find one line at the bottom that looks like a command line. Enter there:

/server irc.oftc.net
 This will connect you to the server.

/join #kernelnewbies
 You will join the channel and you can talk to us :)