What is a BNC

BNC's is an internet relay chat proxying server. It allows users to connect to chat servers in this case swiftirc by bouncing off the computer which is running the BNC. The BNC will has given you will allow you to be connected to irc and receive private messages even though you have turned of your computer.

If you /whois YOURNICKNAME you will see a different Host to what you usually had. This is mine with the BNC

NICKNAME is will2@Swift-1C2796E0.info * Will BNC

ADVANTAGES

When you disconnect your nick will still be online
You can still receive private messages

DISADVANTAGES 

A little more lag when you first start connecting
Your host looks different