Contents:

• Download mIRC
• What is IRC
• Overview: accessing IRC with mIRC
• Set up server information
• Connect to an IRC server
• Basic IRC commands

Downloading mIRC

mIRC 32 Bit

What is IRC

IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. IRC is a collection of online forums where people discuss topics from airline fares to zymurgy. Each topic has its own forum, or "channel," and a channel can contain two people or dozens of people.

Overview: accessing IRC with mIRC

To access IRC, use Mirc to connect to an IRC server. We recommend "irc.texas.net" or "irc.eskimo.com" or "irc.ais.net". All of these  servers use port 6667, except irc.ais.net, which accepts connections on many other ports.

After you connect to the server you can join a channel immediately, or you can ask to see a list of channels.

Connecting to the IRC server is like walking into a building with many rooms. If you know what room you want, you can go directly there. Otherwise you can ask to see a list of some or all of the rooms.

When you join a channel it is a good idea to "lurk" for a while-watch the flow of conversation, get a feel for how IRC works. Channels often contain several overlapping conversations.

Set up server information

Before you can connect to an IRC server, you have to set up mIRC with the server information. You should set up more than one IRC server, in case the one you usually use does not work.

1. Choose Setup from the File menu.
2. For "Real Name" type a name. This does not have to be your real name.
3. For "E-Mail" type your email address.
4. For "Nick Name" type the name you want to use in the channel.

Note: If someone on the IRC server you connect to is already using that nickname you will have to choose another.

5. For "Alternate" type an alternate nickname to use if your first choice is already being used.
6. Add a server.
• For "IRC Server" type the server name. For example, "irc.colorado.edu".
• For "Port" type "6667".
• Click Add Server.
7. Repeat step 6 for a few more servers.
8. 
   Other servers to add are:
   irc.eskimo.com
   eff.org (Note that this does not start with "irc".)
   irc.csos.orst.edu
9. Click OK to close the Setup window.

Connect to an IRC server

There are two ways to connect to a server.

1. Choose Connect from the File menu.
2. Mirc attempts to open the first server on the list in the Setup window. When you connect, you see a series of server messages.
3. If you cannot connect to the first server, try connecting another way:
4. 
   a. Choose Setup from the File menu to open the Setup window.
   b. Select a server on the server list.
   c. Click Connect.

   Repeat these steps, trying different servers, until you connect to a server.

Basic IRC commands

Once you are connected there are a few essential commands.  

NOTE: The commands are listed here with a "/" at the beginning. Every
command must be preceded by a "/" or the server will not interpret it as a command.

If you are in a channel, anything typed without a "/" is sent to the channel. If you are not in a channel, typing without a "/" does not do anything.