IRC
Connecting
Pumping Station: One has an IRC channel on Freenode:
server: irc.freenode.net channel: #pumpingstationone
If you don't know how to or can't use an IRC client, you can use our web chat instead. You'll be chatting in no time.
The channel's useful for talking to members and parts of our outlying non-member community. If you have a problem or questions, voiced (people with a + symbol) users should be able to help you.
Web Client
Follow this link: web chat
Matrix
https://matrix.org is another chat technology. Its IRC integration is pretty nice, but #pumpingstationone is not quite one click away, yet.
Some options: https://matrix.to/#/#freenode_#pumpingstationone:matrix.org
Of those options, Element is popular. Works well on both desktop and phones. We use it to send cat pictures pretty often ;)
To create an account: https://app.element.io/#/register
Or if you don't want to rely on that companies SaaS, pick another or host your own server. you can host it as PS1 if you want. it is fun.
Then run a client and it will walk you though it. for instance:
* Start element web * try element * open in your browser * create account
Once you sign yourself up for an account, then #pumpingstationone is one click away: https://app.element.io/app/#/room/#freenode_#pumpingstationone:matrix.org
irssi
irssi /server irc.freenode.net /join #pumpingstationone
bots
IRC_bots