Getting Started

It is fairly simple to get onto IRC, and then to ChatNet. There are few steps, which you must follow.

First, you must download an IRC Client. An IRC Client is a program that enables you to actually logon to our servers, join channels, and find people to chat to. We have a specific software page for your convenience. Click here to go there, and click back when you have downloaded your client.

Once you have downloaded the IRC Client, you must install it. It’s rather simple to do so. Just go to the directory where you downloaded the file, and double click on it. It’s most likely going to be an *.exe file, that is, an execute file like mIRC61t.exe. You must then follow the instructions it gives you, and install it in the recommended directory.

Once the IRC Client of your choice is installed, you’re ready to connect to ChatNet. Make sure you’re connected to your ISP as necessary and follow these instructions:

For mIRC:

Start up mIRC and click on the lightning icon (first icon on the left) to connect. A dialog box will show up asking you to enter various information and to choose and IRC server. In the drop down server box, choose any ChatNet server. After you information has been entered, press the "Connect to IRC" button. Note: You should also add some more ChatNet server’s to the current list. It’s rather easy. Here’s an example.

Click the ADD button, and type:

Description: Chatnet: US, CA, San Francisco
IRC Server: SF.CA.US.ChatNet.Org
Ports: 6667
Group: ChatNet

Then hit Sort. The reason for adding more servers is because the closer you are (Geographically) to the IRC Server, the quicker your connection to it will be. For example, if you live in San Francisco, California and you are connecting to a server in London, UK, or even Pensacola, FL.

To get onto the Random U.S. (Round Robin) server, type /server US.ChatNet.Org

If you live in Europe, you can also use a Random EU. (Round Robbin) server by typing /server EU.ChatNet.Org

You may type this in any screen on your IRC Client. Once you’re connected, you will see a welcome message appearing on your screen called the MOTD. If you’re using mIRC for the first time, you will also see a list of channels pop up. You can join them by double clicking on one of them. Each is different, and many IRC Channels are unique. We suggest you join #CyberChat for the first time, and introduce yourself to the ‘chatters’.

For Pirch:

Run Pirch and click on the first icon on the left "Login." After the entry box comes up, enter the information it asks and choose a ChatNet server from the IRC server drop menu. Hit the Connect button. We suggest using SF.CA.US.ChatNet.Org for a quick connect.

Once connected, type /list for a current channel listing. You can join one by either double clicking on it, or by typing /join #channel , for example /join #CyberChat will make your client join the channel #CyberChat. There you can introduce yourself, and start chatting away!

For more information regarding the specific functions of your IRC Client please consult the Readme file for your client. Typing /help with mIRC will bring that up, as will hitting the F1 key with pirch.

Click here for more information on an AOL connection to ChatNet.

Click here for more information on a WebTV connection to ChatNet.

For further information, visit: http://www.irchelp.org/.