TwistedNET Guides

Long-form guides to IRC — how it works, how to secure it, how to get the most
out of it, and how it compares to the closed platforms that replaced it. Written
by the people who have run TwistedNET since 2007.

Guides & articles

• The History of IRC: From 1988 to Today
  Explore the complete history of Internet Relay Chat from its creation in 1988 by Jarkko Oikarinen to the modern IRC renaissance and its lasting impact.
• IRC vs Discord vs Slack: Honest Comparison
  An honest, detailed comparison of IRC, Discord, and Slack covering privacy, performance, customization, pricing, and more. Find the best chat platform for you.
• Securing Your IRC Connection: Complete Guide
  Learn how to secure your IRC connection with SSL/TLS, SASL authentication, VPNs, hostname cloaking, and client-side encryption. Practical setup for 2025.
• 10 Essential IRC Commands Every User Needs
  Master the 10 most important IRC commands with detailed examples, pro tips, and TwistedNET-specific advice. From /join to /quit, become an IRC power user today.
• Getting Started with WeeChat: Beginner Guide
  Learn how to install and configure WeeChat, the powerful terminal-based IRC client. Step-by-step guide to connecting to TwistedNET with commands and settings.
• How to Build an IRC Bot with Python
  Learn how to build a fully functional IRC bot with Python from scratch. Step-by-step tutorial covering sockets, SSL, commands, error handling, and deployment.
• Why Privacy Matters: The Case for Zero-Log Chat
  Discover why online privacy matters more than ever. Learn about surveillance capitalism, zero-logging, and how IRC protects your communications.
• The Rise of Decentralized Communication
  Explore why decentralized communication platforms like IRC, Matrix, and XMPP are rising as alternatives to centralized services driven by privacy.
• IRC and Hacker Culture: A Deep History
  Discover how IRC became the backbone of hacker culture, from 90s hacktivist movements and open-source development to modern CTF competitions and security research.
• TwistedNET 2026: Updates & What’s Ahead
  TwistedNET IRC network 2026 update: new infrastructure, security upgrades, community growth, TLS 1.3, website redesign, and our roadmap for the year ahead.

References

• IRC Commands List & Cheat Sheet
  Complete IRC commands reference and cheat sheet. Learn essential IRC commands including /join, /msg, /nick, /whois, NickServ, ChanServ, and more for beginners.
• IRC vs Discord | The Best Discord Alternative 2026
  Compare IRC and Discord on privacy, features, and freedom. See why IRC is the best Discord alternative for developers and privacy-conscious users in 2026.

Ready to join?

Connect to irc.twistednet.org on port 6697 (SSL/TLS),
open the web chat in your browser, or read the
full connection guide.