If you're unfamiliar with IRC/Matrix and just want to chat, follow this guide.
Matrix
Matrix is a (comparatively) new FLOSS-friendly chat protocol, with support for End2End message encryption and server federation.
The LUUG hosts its own matrix homeserver, with a public Space at #vtluug:matrix.vtluug.org
, and a main room at #vtluug-g:matrix.vtluug.org
that's bridged to the below IRC channel. If you want to make an account on our homeserver, ask a member for the registration token or follow the guide linked above. Otherwise, just click here to join using the matrix.org homeserver!
IRC
Internet Relay Chat is a tried-and-true broadcast messaging protocol favored
by free and open source software projects. The Linux and Unix Users Group at
Virginia Tech has a relatively active channel, #vtluug
, on OFTC.
We host an instance of TheLounge, a full-fledged in-browser IRC client and 24/7 bouncer at irc.vtluug.org for members (or anyone that shows up to a meeting and asks). It pretty much gives IRC the UI/UX of Discord, without the anti-freedom.
We also have a full tutorial for setting up weechat, a common IRC client, on our wiki.