This guide is aimed at users who would like to start using IRC in order to access the #zetahelp channel. I will try and explain what each step means but if you get stuck or feel some parts are hard to understand, you can always use the Contact page to reach me directly.

This page was last updated on January 30th 2005.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quick Intro
IRC stands for "Internet Relay Chat" and is a useful medium hosted by various servers that allows almost anyone to create their own channel and form some sort of community. One of the most well known hosts is Quakenet.org where the original #zetahelp channel was hosted initially. We are now hosted at Starchat.net - which is a more family-oriented server host.

Software...your first IRC client
I personally use Trillian (IM) as it supports AIM, YIM, MSN,ICQ,IRC etc.but there are others such as:

• ChatZilla - If you're using Firefox - this has been suggested as a good plugin to use - meaning you will have browser-based IRC.
• IceChat - This is a dedicated IRC client and has been recommended to me as well.
• Miranda - This IM software is like Trillian and it supports many mediums of IM, and IRC comes inthe form of a plugin. The file size is significantly less than Trillian but the interface is probably not quite as complete

Setting up your Connection
I will try and cover as many IRC clients here in the future where possible; but will first start off with Trillian.

Trillian (Basic 3.0)

• After installation, open Trillian --> Connections --> Manage my connections.
• A popup will appear - and so click on Add a new connection and select IRC. You should get the options popping up like the screenshot below.



• Server Alias - This can be your username - eg. Mosey
• irc.trillian.com::6667 - Enter the server details here - ie. irc.starchat.net
• Nickname - Arguably the most important bit after the server details - this is how you are recognised on the IRC channel. eg. Mosey.
• Username - Like Server Alias, I haven't quite figured out its significance. eg. Mosey. Although this can be left blank.
• User Info - I believe this can be left blank - but you can input whatever you like here.
• Next, click on Change to find another popup. Click on the Miscellaneous tab at the top of the new window.

  

• Find the "perform buffer' part (see screenshot above) Don't be worried if you find it blank as that is default for a new connection.
• In the box below it, type in (or copy/paste) /join #zetahelp; /msg nickserv set hide on;
• Finally click on Save Settings and then return to the main Connections Manager; click on Connect.
• The 'perform buffer' step means that everytime you click connect you will join #zetahelp automatically; at the same time it will hide your IP address.
• Wait for about a minute, a window should popup with the #Zetahelp Channel!

Registering your nickname
Now that you've successfully reached #Zetahelp, you might want to consider protecting your nickname from being used by other people. To do this, you first have to register your nickname with Starchat.

This is done by opening up your "status" window - go back to the main Trillian menu - and you should see 5 dots underneath the menu bar. Left click once on the white/blue one (IRC) and hover over your existing connection (seen via server alias) then click on Show Status Window.

Locate the area you can type in for the status window, and enter the text below:

/msg nickserv register emailaddress password

/msg nickserv register random@random.com random

If you have successfully registered, you will receive an activation email to your account almost instantly. Just copy the text (activation command) from that email into the status window as before.

After succesfully activating your account (it should state it in the Status window), find perform buffer as before.

/msg nickserv id YOURPASSWORDHERE; /msg nickserv set hide on; /join #zetahelp; /msg nickserv set guard on; /msg nickserv set email off;