IRC "Extras"

Customization on IRC extends beyond client capabilities. There are a variety of programs, scripts, add-ons and bots, that are designed to extend the IRC experience beyond the limitations of your particular client. Scripts automate certain processes, Add-ons are "add on" a certain feature to your client, and bots are programs that act and respond without a user sitting behind them. Scripts tend to be a source of tension on IRC since so many of them are intended as warscripts with command interfaces for Denial of Service attacks. Bots often contain a negative connotation since several forms of bots are primarily used as tools to flood users, channels, or servers.

I would not recommend using scripts or bots at first, but after you are familiar with IRC, I'm sure you can find some sort of legitimate use for a bot. For example, some eggdrop bots are used to provide trivia games for channels. For more information about Scripts and Bots, please see IRC Central at http://www.connected-media.com/IRC/.