Unfortunately, mIRC is trialware that expires after 30 days. Dang. Try Gaim instead.
If you're using Linux, you probably already have 'gaim' installed. If not, install it. It can handle IRC stuff. Just make a new account. If you'd rather have a different program, I recommend 'xchat'.
Set up your name and email address (email address is optional)
Configure your nickname: this is your handle, what people will know you by.
Connect to the 'irc.freenode.net' server. The port value could be either 'ircd' or '6667'. Usually you want to just stick with the default port your client gives you. You do not need to enter a password.
Wait until you are logged in.
Once you're connected, type /join #bclug and hit enter. If you're using a GUI like GAIM, try joining a chat with #bclug as the 'room' or something similar.
You should see everyone else on.
I ripped this off from
http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/new2irc.html. Go there for
more info or updates. Please note that some people might consider
pinging rude. The 'gaim' client, for example, pops up a message box
saying who just pinged the person.
| What you type | What happens |
|---|---|
| /join #coolness | You join the channel #coolness. |
| /who #coolness | Gives some info on users in the channel.
@ = channel op, while * means IRC op. |
| hello everyone | Everyone on #coolness sees <yournick> hello everyone.
You need not type in your own nick. |
| /me is a pink bunny | Everyone in #coolness sees * yournick is a pink bunny. |
| /leave #coolness | You leave the channel. |
| /whois Tomm | You get some info about Tomm or whatever nickname you entered. |
| /whois yournick | This is some info others see about you. |
| /nick newnick | Changes your nick to "newnick". |
| /msg Tomm hi there. | Only Tomm sees your message.
You don't need to be on the same channel for this to work. |
| /ping #coolness | Gives information on the delay (round-trip) between you and everybody on #coolness. |
| /ping Tomm | Gives information on the delay (round-trip) between you and just Tomm. |
| /dcc chat MaryN | This sends MaryN a request for a dcc chat session.
MaryN types /dcc chat yournick to complete the connection. DCC chat is faster (lag free) and more secure than /msg. |
| /msg =MaryN Hi there! | Once a DCC connection has been established, use the
/msg =nick message
format to exchange messages (note the = sign).
DCC does not go through servers, so it are unaffected by server lag, net splits, etc. |
| /help | This works in many clients.
Try it! |
| /quit good night! | You quit IRC completely, with the parting comment so that others see "*** Signoff: yournick (good night!)". |