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channel n.
 [IRC] The basic unit of discussion on
   IRC.  Once one joins a channel, everything one types is read
   by others on that channel.  Channels are named with strings that
   begin with a `#' sign and can have topic descriptions (which are
   generally irrelevant to the actual subject of discussion).  Some
   notable channels are #initgame, #hottub,
   callahans, and #report.  At times of international
   crisis, #report has hundreds of members, some of whom take
   turns listening to various news services and typing in summaries of
   the news, or in some cases, giving first-hand accounts of the
   action (e.g., Scud missile attacks in Tel Aviv during the Gulf War
   in 1991).
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