Connecting to IRC

We're going to assume you have installed mIRC, which is the best client for use with Windows. Follow the steps below to get started:

Upon launching mIRC the first time you will see, somewhere on your screen, a window that looks like the one below. This is the mIRC Setup Dialog Box.

The only things you need to do here are the following:

• CHOOSE A SERVER: in the pull-down menu below the Add, Edit, Delte, and Sort buttons, choose any server that begins with: "Undernet" (NOTE TO AOL USERS: you must use one of the Undernet: Washington, D.C. servers.)
• FULL NAME: put anything here. It doesn't "have" to be your real name, and is best NOT to place your real name here.
• E-MAIL ADDRESS: put anything here as long as it takes the standard e-mail address form. (EXAMPLE: whatever@whatever.com) For your own sanity, DO NOT place you real email address here either.
• NICKNAME: place the name by which you want to be known in the chatroom here. Some choose to use a combination real name and initials, while others prefer to mask their identity or create an online identity completely different from their real name.
• ALTERNATIVE: place a second name here in case the first is currently being used by someone else online. It's best to use a NICK similar to the one you regularly use. HINT: Use you first choice of nick with a "^", or "`" added. This will make you easily recognizeable to your friends should you regular nick be currently in use by someone else.
• INVISIBLE MODE: place a check here. This will save you a lot of annoyance in the future.

Next, click on the "Identd" tab on the mIRC Setup Dialog Box. You will see the following.

The only things you need to do here are the following:

• ENABLE IDENTD SERVER: check this as shown above.
• USER ID: look at what you placed as your e-mail address. On this line place what comes before the @ sign. Borrowing from the example above, it would be "whatever".

OK, now make sure you're connected through your Internet Service Provider. Then click on the "IRC SERVERS" tab. Select the Undernet Arlington, VA server as shown, and then click "Connect to IRC SERVER". Within moments you will be connected to IRC!!!

After you've connected you'll see a flashing cursor. Type the following exactly as shown:

/join #Authors

A FEW NOTES REGARDING #Authors:

• If you join the channel and there is no one talking, simply say "Hello, I'm new here." Someone will try to talk with you.
• Some of us are logged onto the channel, but are away in other windows, or programs, working. We are NOT ignoring you on purpose.
• Be patient, and one of us will click over to see if anyone has joined the channel.
• The best times for chatting are around lunchtime, and after 10 pm.
• It is very normal to feel uncomfortable upon entering the IRC-world for the first few times. If you feel uncomfortable, simply sit back and watch the conversation to get a feel of the channel. Chat when you feel like it.

And there you have it!!! For further help, the mIRC Homepage has links and channel lists to guide you in your mIRC learning experience.

http://www.mirc.com/