Most distributions have a bundled IRC server. I used the standard IRC server packaged with SuSE 7.3. I set it to start at boot time, although you can start it manually by typing (as root):

    # ircd

    

You can look at ps to make sure it's running. On a production machine, you may want to set the server to start or stop at a certain time using a cron job to control the daemon. For that matter you might want to start or stop the icecast server, in a similar manner as well (on your internet/DNS connected machine).

As the meeting host, the next step was to start up the IRC client, so I could manage my prototype chat session. The are many capable chat clients. I like Xchat and started it up by typing into a new terminal window:

    # xchat

    

If you need help with Xchat, take a look at my "Conducting Virtual Meetings with Linux, Part 1" article. If you don't want people to know you are running Xchat as root, change the nicknames and names at the top of the Xchat screen.

Starting and stopping the remote servers might be applicable, for example, if you wanted to stream/chat your LUG meeting at 8:00 pm. every Thursday night. You'd simply connect to the server machine at the right time, start liveice, start a mixer, run Xchat and off you go.

To test that the IRC session was running, I started up Xchat on the client machine and saw that if I typed a message it would instantly appear on the host Xchat window. You should make sure the server name and channel are the same as on your meeting host machine (laptop). Ideally you can type a comment on the client Xchat screen and see it appear on you meeting host machine. It should work the other way around, as well.

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