| Roger Burns 2005-04-16, 10:00 am |
| Archive-name: medicine/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/cfs-irc
Posting-Frequency: weekly
Basics for CFS IRC
This information is drawn from the #CFS channel web page at
http://www.cfs-news.org/irc.htm .
IRC is a live chat network. It allows people all over the Internet
to type to one another in real-time! The CFS IRC channel is getting
quite active. Recently it seems that people are available on channel
#CFS at almost any time. We exchange some good information -- but
it's also just a lot of fun!
There are several different IRC networks. Our #CFS channel has been
established on the Undernet IRC network.
Try following the instructions below. If you run into problems,
ask for help from one of our volunteers:
For PCs, contact Linda Stolz <l.stolz@home.com>
For Macs, contact Jane Sabel <jsabel@mindspring.com>
================================================
STEP ONE: THE SOFTWARE
* For PCs (IBM-compatibles):
Most people use mIRC software. Get it at
http://www.mirc.co.uk/get.html .
Some people like Pirch: http://www.pirchat.com/ .
* For Macintosh:
Most people use Ircle. Get it at http://www.ircle.com .
Another software is ShadowIRC. See http://www.shadowirc.com/ .
* For UNIX:
If you're on a shell account where Unix is used, your ISP should have
the software already installed on their end. In most cases, simply
enter "irc" (without the quotes) and the program will execute. If
not, ask your tech support office about it.
* For AOL:
If you're on America Online, get advice by looking at
http://members.aol.com/mirc/aol.html .
================================================
STEP TWO: CONNECT TO A SERVER
When you've got the software up and running, you then need to
connect to a server. But first, you'll need to pick a nickname,
a short name that everyone will see you as on IRC. Nicknames
can be no longer than 9 characters.
To set a nickname, use the /NICK command. For example, on the
command line enter
/nick Sally
The next step is to actually connect to a server. If the nick you
have chosen is already being used by someone else at that time, the
system will tell you and you'll have to pick another nickname.
The #CFS channel is on the Undernet network, so you'll need to
connect to an Undernet server. Each kind of software has its own way
of connecting, but all software will allow you to type in and enter
standard IRC commands from the command line. In this case, you'd
want to use the /SERVER command followed by the address of an
Undernet server, and possibly followed by a port number (this is
optional).
There are many Undernet server addresses. You can find a complete
list of them at http://www.undernet.org/servers.html . Or you can
use one of the generic server addresses:
USA: us.undernet.org<br>
Europe: eu.undernet.org<br>
Australia: au.undernet.org<br>
Canada: ca.undernet.org<br>
New Zealand: nz.undernet.org
So for example, you can connect to the USA generic server by entering
the following on the command line:
/server us.undernet.org
Sometimes it may be difficult to connect to a server. In that case,
you may want to add a port number after the server address, or use a
specific server that you have to be recently reliable
(again, see the full list of servers addresses at
http://www.undernet.org/servers.html). For further advice about
servers and other technical aspects of IRC, see the FAQs whose links
can be found on the IRC Info page at
http://www.cfs-news.org/irc-info.htm .
================================================
STEP THREE: JOIN THE CHANNEL
Once you are connected, joining the #CFS channel is simple. You just
type
/join #CFS
and you're on!
People may be on the channel at any time, but they are not always
there. See the latest schedule at
http://www.cfs-news.org/irc-time.htm . The #CFS channel is most
often used in the evening hours (North American time).
================================================
Again, for further advice about technical aspects of IRC, see the
FAQs whose links can be found on the IRC Info page at
http://www.cfs-news.org/irc-info.htm .
And if you need personal assistance, ask for help from one of our
volunteers: for PCs contact Linda Stolz <l.stolz@home.com> ;
for Macs contact Jane Sabel <jsabel@mindspring.com> .
See you on the channel!
================= From: CFS-L@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU ================
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