Channels

"Stable IRC channel" is in some senses an oxymoron, since channels appear and disappear with their users' whims. Some last days, others weeks. In the past, some channels have lasted for months and gave every appearance of becoming an institution, only to disappear with their users during a December holiday, never to return.

Once you have connected with your client to a ZAnet server, you can join a particular channel by typing:

   /join #ChannelName

You can obtain a complete listing of channels by using the "/list" command, though you'll probably find yourself quite overwhelmed by the flood of channel names! To obtain a list of all the channels with at least (say) 20 people in them, you can issue this command:

   /list -min 20

Here is an alphabetical list of some of the channels you might find on ZAnet. Can't promise that all of them still exist though. If you to want to add or update any of them, send it to the e-mail address at the bottom of the page. Note that the descriptions were provided by channel members, not ZAnet.

• #20something
  
  
• #30something
  It was started by Viscount and Scuba1 in March 1997 for no reason at all. We initially wanted to cater for the over 30 crowd, as we got sick and tired of all the kiddies. We talk about everything and anything and have no set rules other than we try to limit swearing and we kick ops beggars right away.
  
  
• #786
  This channel which was started by Siddique and friends and escalated from being a small channel where friends gathered to socialize, to a warm, versatile and diverse channel. The emergence of this channel has definitely impacted on many a person on originating from various spheres of life and from all over the globe. If you up for a chat or to relax yourself on the ZAnet server, this certainly is the place to be. This channel however does not cater the uncivilized.
  
  
• #Addicts
  Our Channel Goal Is Self Explanatory. Have A Nice Day.
  
  
• #Afrikaans
  Die kanaal waar die Afrikaanssprekende gemeenskap in hul eie taal kan kommunikeer. == The channel where the Afrikaans-speaking community can communicate in their own language.
  
  
• #AfrVolPret
  Ons is 'n klein groepie vriendelike pretters wat 'n lekker uithangplekkie het om van werk- of studiedruk te ontsnap. Kom loer gerus in en leef jouself uit.
  
  
• #Alive
  This channel, formed by eT, predates the ZAnet and has existed for almost as long as #za. It is the virtual home of the ZAnet's Christian community.
  
  
• #allnitecafe
  The place for all you Irc ppl that don't like channel politics. What we do echos in eternity!
  
  
• #asian
  
  
• #beginner
  This is where newbies (or anyone that's a bit rusted) come to get help or info on the usage of ZAnet & its services.
  
  
• #Bitch&Moan
  The conversation that goes on in this channel could perhaps one day be considered as the footnotes to the ridiculous. Come and join us for chat ranging from the superficial to the profound. #Bitch&Moan was originally started by Leeloo and aims at creating a friendly, unique atmosphere where all are welcome.
  
  
• #Blink182
  Founded orignially to cater for Blink182 fans, #Blink182 now welcomes all IRC'ers. The channel owes its name to the popular USA band Blink182, who were originally called Blink. Upon being threatend by legal action by a band bearing the same name, the random numbers "182" were added to the end. Since then the name has stuck. All are welcome to come and chat in our friendly diverse and music loving channel. Come and join Room 182 of ZAnet and feel the bass!
  
  #blink182 website: www.cb182.com
• #Bloemfontein
  The Bloemfontein channel has grown much over the last few years and brings all Free Staters to one channel! So even if your not in Bloem or somewhere else but from Bloem or anywhere in the the world join bloem the City of Roses.
  
  
• #Camelot
  Another channel for general chatting. "No swearing or trout allowed."
  
  
• #chatzone
  Another general chat group where colours are not allowed. We have a wide range of age groups as well as people from all over the world joining us to chat!!!
  
  
• #Crawford
  #Crawford is a channel for the Crawford Schools. There are currently 6 of these schools in South Africa, and more are popping up all over. This is a channel where all the students or x-students of the school can come together and chat.
  
  
• #Depressed
  A channel for all IRC addicts, a place to hang-out, full of friendly people after a hard day's work. Ages range from 13 to 30, but anyone is welcome, If you have any questions about our fun Channel e-mail me
  
  
• #durban
  A great place to hangout. Predominantly young people from the Durban area. But a few oldies too. And even a couple from Jo'Burg and the US make their home here.
  
  
• #East_London
  Do you live in East London? Do you want to get to know the other local IRC'ers? This is the place to be, if you want to make some good friends for life. Doesn't matter if you're from Cape Town or Johannesburg. If you up for a good chat this is the place to be.
  
  
• #Friends
  #Friends is the channel on the ZAnet for all the friends (young & old) to have a great time on IRC. Originally formed by Joyrider and his friends on 18 March 1997, it quickly grew to be a very popular channel... which it still is! #Friends is not your ordinary IRC Channel... which IRC Channel would offer a mailing list & newsletter to it's regulars? But don't believe me... come on over and find out yourself!
  
  
• #Gayfriends
  #Gayfriends is a safe queer space channel on the ZAnet IRC Network for persons 16+. Our aim is to promote friendship amongst gay persons, specifically in South Africa through social contact and organized events. We hope to take friendship beyond the realm of the keyboard and build on true meaningful friendships that will last a lifetime. Channel guidelines & info, profiles of our active regulars and details of upcoming events & trips are on our homepage. Join #Gayfriends, for a refreshingly new experience and take part in the adventure both online and off.
  
  
• #GaySA
  A ZAnet meeting place for South Africa's gay community. In their own words: "This is a friendly channel where sexually advanced people meet. It is a forum for fun, laughter and serious chats. It is NOT a lonely hearts channel or a dating service, but a place where intelligent people communicate."
  
  
• #Gothik
  Ostensibly the channel for goths and the like, this channel attracts those with a slightly darker outlook on, well, anything. It's important not to take offense at anything said in this channel, as most of the subject matter is tongue in cheek anyway. At one time a channel in which most of the inhabitants were regulars, the channel popularity has grown and a fair-sized thouroughfair has formed.
  
  
• #Hottub
  the up and coming channel of zanet irc - here you will find people of all walks of life - the talk is fast and witty - the topics sometimes raunchy - the people never dull and always friendly - we await your arrival anxiously - webpage with regs list contact ops in channel
  
  
• #i.am.mad
  This ia a fun channel with mostly weird and wacky chat going on. If you are mad we can try cure you but probably wont succeed. Follow those voices in you head and join #i.am.mad you know you belong there.
  
  
• #islam
  Islam is an IRC channel dedicated to discussions of the South African Muslim community and issues affecting them and Muslim world as a whole. Whilst the channel generally caters specifically for South Africans, it is not exclusively for them. The channel also serves as a platform for people who want to know more about Islam to ask Muslims first hand. And, it is a place where Muslims can meet in a halal, clean atmosphere.
  
  
• #jhb/ppl
  Although the name would imply only people from Johannesburg join the channel, it caters for anyone regardless of location, race, religion, sex, age, etc. Jhb/Ppl has been around since early 98 and you could say it has really changed since then - in size and character. It just keeps getting bigger and better! Also check out the website for info on JHB events, etc.
  
  
• #kdl
  A channel for the school King David High School Linksfield. It was formed so that everyone who goes to this school would be able to find their friends in one main channel.
  
  
• #masakhane
  A channel where mostly African (especially South African) languages form the medium of communication. The channel has its own constitution, with a president (currently the founder, Tumi), ministers, and junior ranks. A Web page will be available soon.
  
  
• #memon
  A small community on the islamic religon.
  
  
• #mp3
  A channel where South Africans can talk about and trade mp3's with fellow music lovers.
  
  
• #pe
  
  
• #Rave
  A channel where ravers from all around can gather to chat about the latest raves or cd's or to other ravers about anything...
  
  
• #Saheti
  A channel mainly for scholars from Saheti School and for Greeks all around the world.
  
  
• #Saints
  
  
• #SHC
  #SHC is a channel mainly for students of Sacred Heart College, it has been open for over 3 years yet it has not a huge following. It is a fun channel filled with fun people.
  
  
• #talkzone
  Another channel which was formed as an alternative to #za. Its population seems to overlap with that of #da to a certain extent, though it is rumoured to be not quite as risque as the latter. Popular mainly with the teenage generation.
  
  
• #teenchat
  
  
• #trivia
  
  
• #tuffie
  Originally formed by TuffStuff as a meeting place for her and her friends, #tuffie has now become quite the permanent feature. Most topics of conversation are encouraged.
  
  
• #vibe
  All the people from Cape Town come to chat here...
  
  
• #webdesign
  A channel for South African web designers, and for any one interested in web design.
  
  
• #xanadu
  The channel was created as a place where people could meet new friends, hang out with old friends, chat, and most importantly, have fun. Everyone is welcome in #xanadu. Sit back, relax, and be yourself. All that the Channel asks in return, is that you realise that: Everyone else is in there to have fun too! Bad attitudes and people just out to stir trouble wont be tolerated :)
  
  
• #za
  You can't have a ZAnet without a #za - in a sense each is the reason behind the other's existence. #za is a general channel in which conversation on virtually any topic can take place. Its regular users regard it as being "mature rather than adult". In other words, excessive crudity is frowned upon. On the other hand, innuendo has been known to get _way_ out of hand. :-)
  
  
• #ZAnet
  Official ZAnet admin/oper channel. We try to have at least one person in there during the biggest part of the day. If not, send your query to the e-mail address at the bottom of this page.