IRC, like any chat program (Yahoo, AIM, Micro$oft IM, etc.) is real-time text exchange. It's especially useful for net journalists to quickly post breaking news items, exchange links to interesting stories, clips, and photos, and coordinate translation of essential breaking news.

Currently, there is a channel on the IRC server hosted by Indymedia that is dedicated to HK WTO: irc.indymedia.org, #HongKongWTO.

To join the chat:

1. The simplest way is to click on the following link:

chat.indymedia.org/. Then, enter a Nickname, and click the button that says "Chat!"

2. A better (more stable) way is to use a dedicated chat client, like Irssix for Mac [http://adlr.info/?Irssix] or Mirc for Windos [http://www.mirc.com/]. Download and install it, then connect to the server irc.indymedia.org. Once you're connected, type "/join#HongKongWTO" (without the quotes).

3. If you are using Firefox, you can install the chatzilla extension: www.mozilla.org/projects/rt-messaging/chatzilla/. Follow the instructions to install chatzilla in your browser, then restart Firefox.

Go to 'tools,' select 'chatzilla.' A new window will open. Type "/attachirc.indymedia.org," then once you're connected, type "/join #HongKongWTO."