What is IRC?
IRC is Internet Relay Chat. A system of servers that allow people all over the world to chat in real time.
The new KTT chat runs on an IRC server.
The window used here is web page
/ java based. Some people have problems with java on their computer. Others
want more control over fonts or window size. Others want more options. Some
like me just want to be able to set it to alert me when someone messages me
on chat LOL
The answer is to use an irc (internet chat relay) program.
IRC programs can be as easy or as difficult as you want to make them.
I'll talk you through the start up - if you want to go on and learn scripting and popups etc, feel free. (then Trudi can complain at chat about the graphics the same as she does here *EG*)
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GET mIRC TO CHAT -Web based chat is still available, still works and will still get you to the same place.
What is mIRC? - it's a program designed for chatting on IRC.
If you would like to try mIRC then:
Go to www.mirc.com/get.html
Click one of the versions of mirc 6.03 to download. It will pop up a run or save box - click save and Make a note of what folder you are saving it to. (I suggest to Download folder)
When it is finished click open, or go to the folder in windows explorer and double click the mirc603.exe file
Click Next, yes, Install - making sure that the destination folder is C:\mirc
(not program files)
The program will install.
Click finish. The program probably installed a shortcut to your desktop - if not look in your start menu.
Open the program by clicking the shortcut.
Click x to close the "About mirc" box (untick the left hand bottom box and it won't reappear every time)
A box titled "mirc options" should appear - of not click the second toolbar icon.
Highlight "connect" in the lefthand menu.
Click ADD button.
This is where you enter the server information so we all end up at the same
place. The program comes with dozens of preset chat servers. 'ours' isn't one
of them LOL
Enter the following in the spaces
Description: KTT Chat
IRC server: chat.webmaster.com
Port(s): 7000
Group & password remain blank
Click the ADD button
Back on the connect screen - fill in the rest of the details as follows.
Full Name: DO NOT Put your full name here.
You could put your username from ezboard here, or your initials, or 'me' or
whatever you like.
Email Address: Suggest you put NOSPAM in your email address. This will
be visible to anyone who uses the server and looks at your details. Make one
up if you want.
Nickname: the name you want to use on the chat. (see below)
Alternative: nickname to use if first choice is in use.
Nickname Note: Webchat.org has registered nicknames. This is good because
it means eventually we can all register, we can have moderators on the chat,
and we can avoid people pretending to be each other. However it means several
thousand nicknames are already taken. If you log in with a nick that is registered
to someone else on this server, it gives you a minute to change it, or it changes
you to "guestxxxx"
My suggestion is, if your name is something that is likely to be in use, choose
a nick that is different - or add numbers, letters etc. A good way to avoid
losing your identity is to double a letter - eg Minuet is taken, I could however
register Minuett.
Alternative is important. Sometimes you will lose connection to the chat, and
rejoin before your old presence has disappeared. So you will log on as the alternative
nick.
Often adding a 2 to your first choice will suffice (Minuett2)
Do NOT put spaces in Nicks. E.g. Jan Angelkisses won't work because "Jan"
is already a registered nick. Jan_Angelkisses works.
You are now ready to connect. Click OK
If a stream of text doesn't start appearing in the mirc window, then click
the connect button on the toolbar (first icon)
Once you are connected -
A mirc channels folder should pop up (if it doesn't click the 3rd icon on the
toolbar)
Click ADD
in the Channel box type #KitchenChat
the other boxes can stay empty.
Tick "Join on connect"
Click OK
At the bottom of the channels box UNTICK pop up this folder on connect.
Highlight #kitchenchat in the list
Click Join
In mIRC there should now be two windows
There is a toolbar at the top showing two buttons - one for linkline.webchat
(that is your status window) and the other showing #Kitchenchat (the channel
(IRC chat rooms are called channels)
Well done, you made it!
(type in the box at the bottom of the #kitchenchat window - push enter to post)
Extra bits you might like to change.
Task Bar - toolbar with the linkine & #kitchenchat buttons. This is your task bar. You may prefer to have it at the bottom of the window. In mirc options (second button,) click display. Choose toolbar position from drop down menu.
Click the + beside display. Select Options. Tick multi line edit boxes to get a larger typing area at the bottom of the screen.
To connect automatically when you open mirc - go to mirc options (second
toolbar icon), tick connect at startup
Untick popup connect dialog at startup.
Trouble shooting:
Depending on the choices you have made - When you open mirc in future you will
either be auto connected to the server and to the chat channel,
or
you will need to click ok on the connect dialog, or click the first button on
the toolbar to connect.
If you don't go into the channel automatically then click the channel folder
(3rd icon) and select the kitchen chat and click join.
If you have to change your nick in the channel type
/nick (newnick)
e.g. /nick Mintest would change my name to Mintest.
There's more to come. Using colours, private chats, the lag monster, etc.
Back to the Tutorials
