Homer (software)

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Homer, from Blue Cow Software, was an IRC client for Apple Macintosh computer systems during the 1990s, [1] [2] written by Tob Smith, and distributed as shareware. [3] System 7 or later of the classic Mac OS was required, as was MacTCP. [4] [5] It featured an icon view of users in a channel, which would animate when the user posted to the channel. It also provided notification of incoming CTCP Finger commands. [6] Ircle included and extended this feature, "face files" to larger images. [7] A late version of Homer reportedly allowed collaborative drawing across the network. [8]

The Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh (1994) described it as "a great program if you're interested in IRC," and noted that "Homer has a colorful and unique interface that significantly eases using IRC, since it simplifies switching channels, keeping multiple discussions going, [and] giving and taking operator privileges". [4]

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References

  1. Eddy, Andy (1996). Internet After Hours (2nd ed.). Prima Publishing. p. 217. ISBN   978-0-7615-0386-6.
  2. "Homer". Blue Cow Software. Archived from the original on 2000-08-16.
  3. Engst, Adam C. (1994). Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh (2nd ed.). Hayden Books. p. 315. ISBN   978-1-56830-064-1.
  4. 1 2 Engst (1994), pg. 653.
  5. Staplehurst, John. "Macintosh IRC Software : Homer". Exeter College, University of Cambridge. Archived from the original on 2008-12-25.
  6. Harris, Stuart (1995). The irc survival guide. Addison-Wesley. p. 144. ISBN   9780201410006.
  7. "Quickstart guide for those new to IRC". OZmac.org, the OZ.org #macintosh IRC channel website. Archived from the original on 2003-12-03.
  8. Herring, Susan C. (1996). Computer-mediated communication: linguistic, social, and cross-cultural perspectives. John Benjamins Publishing. p. 63. ISBN   978-90-272-5054-4.