Set up IRC on Dreamhost account

[Tigerblade]

I need to set up a quick-and-dirty IRC channel on my server, hosted through Dreamhost. Doesn't have to be fancy, just needs to be functional. Needs to support multiple simultaneous users in a web-based group chat (very similar to the BBB java chat in fact).

I've tried searching around for a good how-to on this, but came up more or less empty-handed thus far. Anyone done this, or know of a tutorial I can glance through?


I'm on a bit of a tight schedule for setting this up too... so any help in the very near future would be appreciated.

[Fanatic]

First, check to make sure Dreamhost allows you to setup IRC services on your server. Many webhosts specifically prohibit IRC.

Second, I'm going to assume that you have root access, and it's a dedicated server, right? If not, it's probably a moot point -- you won't be able to install or setup IRC service on it.

Finally, does it have to be IRC, or do you just need web based group chat? If the latter, there are several alternatives that are much easier to setup, and won't require special permission from your webhost. I would look at setting up a Meebo Room (http://www.meebo.com/rooms/). They can be embedded on any site, and the same "room" can be accessed from any number of sites (if that serves your purpose).

[Tigerblade]

Yes, root access; no, not a dedicated server. No, it doesn't need to be IRC, just web-based group chat that's easy to use and quick to set up. I figured IRC would be easiest since I'm relatively used to it.

I couldn't find any discussions of IRC on Dreamhost's wiki, so I'm pretty sure they don't support it if not full-out prohibiting. This wouldn't be a free-for-all chat; it would be for myself and a small group of coworkers to collaborate on during a project where e-mail won't be the best way of communicating issues.

I'll look into Meebo rooms - I'd considered Meebo but somehow never knew that they support group rooms (though I should have known). If possible I'd prefer something that at least requires a password to get in. I could set up a simple authentication step on my own server though... so maybe that's all it would take... hmm.

Thanks for the info!

[Jeff]

I don't think Meebo Rooms supports password-protected chat. You might want to look at FlashChat, which costs $5 but let's you create secure chat rooms.

[David]

Doesn't look like IRC on Dreamhost is allowed.

[Tigerblade]

I know that a permanent IRC server isn't allowed... I'm not looking for anything long-term, just a temporary group chat for a few hours at a time, two separate occasions.

I'm thinking the Meebo rooms will probably be sufficient. I can write up a fairly simple password verification step so the room isn't public to all. Between that and a conference call, we should probably be good.