Internet Relay Chat
Information and Instructions
** EXCITING
NEWS!! **
Now anyone with a Java-capable web browser can easily access the OO chats (as an alternative to using IRC-specific software if you find it too confusing!) Click HERE to go to the instructions!!
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a way to hold "live" chat sessions over the internet - similar to AOL's "chat rooms" - but accessible to everyone on the internet. The Overcoming Overeating e-mail support group holds live IRC chats once a week at this time.
Meetings are held on:
**CHATS ARE NOT BEING HELD
AT THIS TIME!**
If you would like to be notified by e-mail whenever the IRC chats are resumed, please fill out the "IRC Notification Form".
Our current server is:
polaris.starchat.net
(or any of the Starchat
Servers)
Channel: #OO
IRC software (mIRC for PC's or Ircle for Macintosh)
Instructions for
Connecting to the Chats Using a
Java-capable
Web
Browser (Netscape or Internet
Explorer)
Instructions for getting connected to IRC using IRC-specific software:
First, you need to determine what kind of internet connection you have: "Unix" (Shell) or "Slip/PPP"? Most internet connections these days are "PPP" - Point-to-Point Protocol. If you're using software such as Eudora and Netscape, you most likely have a PPP connection. If you're on a Unix account, look for IRC (Internet Relay Chat) in the menus - if you don't find it, try typing "irc <enter>" at the command prompt and see what happens. Sometimes that's all you have to do to start up the Unix's IRC software.
If you have a Slip/PPP account, you'll need to install the IRC software on your computer.
For Windows, you need "mIRC":
For Macintosh, you need "Ircle":
For lot of wonderful information on IRC in general, with tips for beginners, go to Starchat's Web Site.
After downloading your IRC software, you'll need to personalize it. Read the instructions for your software for specific instructions on doing so. You'll need to choose a "nickname" that you will use while online. You can always change your nickname at any time by typing the command:
All IRC software provides an "input box" - usually at the bottom of your screen - where you will type commands or text you want everyone on the "channel" ("room") to see.
After you start up whichever IRC software you use (Unix or software you've installed on your computer) - you will need to log onto a "server". The way you log onto a server is by typing the following in the input box:
For example, we're currently using Polaris.WA.US.StarChat.Net, so you'd type:
If you're unable to log onto this server, choose from any of the following Starchat servers (preferably one closest to your current geographic location):
|
|
|
|
Avenger.VA.US.StarChat.Net |
Lake Ridge, VA |
|
Beer.VA.US.StarChat.Net |
Reston, VA |
|
BlackHole.IL.US.StarChat.Net |
Chicago, Illinois |
|
Cairns.QLD.AU.StarChat.Net |
Queensland, Australia |
|
Darkness.CA.US.StarChat.Net |
San Jose, CA |
|
Fire-Medics-Cops.GA.US.StarChat.Net |
Georgia |
|
First.OH.US.StarChat.Net |
St. Clairsville, OH |
|
Infinity.UK.EU.StarChat.Net |
London, UK |
|
Lightning.UK.EU.StarChat.Net |
London, UK |
|
Liquidnet.CA.US.StarChat.Net |
Costa Mesa, CA |
|
LoneStar.TX.US.StarChat.Net |
Midland, TX |
|
Millennium.MI.US.StarChat.Net |
Taylor, MI |
|
Oceana.GA.US.StarChat.Net |
Atlanta, GA |
|
Palace.MS.US.StarChat.Net |
Clarksdale, MS |
|
Polaris.WA.US.StarChat.Net |
Spokane, WA |
|
RebelBase.KL.MY.StarChat.Net |
Malaysia |
|
Romulan.MS.US.StarChat.Net |
Biloxi, Mississippi |
|
Severious.DC.US.StarChat.Net |
Wasington D.C. |
|
Shiva.UK.EU.StarChat.Net |
London, UK |
|
Skyline.OR.US.StarChat.Net |
Portland, OR |
|
Spider.QC.CA.StarChat.Net |
Quebec, Canada |
|
Spooky.TX.US.StarChat.Net |
San Antonio, TX |
|
StarGate.FL.US.StarChat.Net |
Melbourne, FL |
After you've logged on - you'll see some kind of "welcome message" scroll down the screen. This will show that you're now connected to the server. (Wait for this message to finish scrolling before trying to enter anything else in the input box!)
You have to use a "unique" nickname for IRC - that's the name that will show up in front of everything you type so people will know who is "talking"! If you get a message from the server telling you your nickname is already in use, just change it to something else - you usually can just add a "2" or your last initial to your name to get a unique nickname. To chane your nickname, type the following in the input box:
At this point, you'll need to join the proper channel. You do this by typing:
After that, you should see the names of everyone currently on the channel! You just type what you want to say in the input box and press "enter" - and it will instantly be display to everyone on the channel! So it's a "live" support group meeting - really lots of fun!
Some other basic commands you can use are:
/list - to obtain a list of all current IRC channels
/whois <nick> - to find out who someone is
/me <action> - to specify a
certain "action" you're taking
(example: If your name is Mary, to have everyone see "Mary
is happy",
you'd type "/me is happy")
/msg <nick> - to send a "private message" to someone on the channel that no one else on the channel will see
Special Instructions for AOL
Users:
AOL now provides IRC access - but only for Windows users (Macintosh users will have access in the "near future"). You have to download software from their site called WINSOCK.DLL and install it into the c:\windows\systems Directory.
Next, download the program mIRC v3.92, which can be found in the library of programs that was on the WINSOCK page. As soon as you exit this program, it will install itself. Then you can go to the desktop, run the program, and place the icon on the screen.
To connect to IRC:
Start up your AOL connection, minimize it, and start up the mIRC program.
At this point, you would follow the instructions for connecting to a server and joining the OO channel as explained above!
For more info, see: "How to IRC from AOL" on Dalnet's Web Site.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR JAVACHAT:
1. Start up your JAVA-capable web browser (Netscape or Internet Explorer).
2. Connect to: http://www.starchat.net/chat/
3. Change "JavaGuest" to a nickname of your choice.
4. Press the "Connect" button. (Wait till it loads - several seconds.)
5. Type "OO" in the "Channel" box.
6. Press the "Join Channel" button. (You are now in the chatroom!)
7. Type what you want to say in the box at the bottom of the page. Press "Enter" or the first "dialog" button to submit your text for everyone on the channel to see.
