ACCESSING IRC THROUGH AMERICA ON LINE

Thanks for asking about using Internet Relay Chat (IRC) from AOL.
IRC is a lot like AOL's chat rooms, except that you can chat with folks who don't have access to AOL...folks with fairly ordinary connections to the Internet. Below is some email that was sent to me, only very slightly edited. I hope you find it useful.

This seems to be the most widely used program for FREEWARE program for IRC so here it is.

mIRC for IRC.

Note: This program requires WAOL 2.5 and the AOL Winsock to be properly installed and operational. Do not proceed further until you have done this. You can get winsock at Keyword: WINSOCK.

Many people have been asking how to use IRC. This document will detail how to install and configure mIRC v3.42 (now at v3.9 click here for mIRC Homepage), a freeware IRC winsocket, with the AOL Winsock. This is not a complete tutorial on mIRC, simply a starting point. Please refer to the mIRC documentation for any advanced features you may wish to implement after you are up and running.

This procedure was tested using a 'nothing special' pc clone, connected by AOLnet dialup using the AOL Winsock and the release version of WAOL 2.5. Please do _not_ leave requests for help with any other WAOL version as the Winsock is intended for this version only. This procedure was also tested under an authorized copy of the June Preview version of Windows 95.

To start mIRC, create a directory for it (ex: C:\AOL25\MIRC\) then download the latest version from the mIRC link off Strouds List (From keyword WINSOCK) or from the Internet Connection Net Clients library at keyword INTERNET.

Unzip this file in your MIRC directory. Once done unzipping, COPY (do not MOVE) the file MIRC.INI to your WINDOWS directory.

Now, create a ICON for mIRC.

Win 3.1 - Open the program group you wish to put the ICON in. (ex: AOL) Using the Windows Program Manager, click on FILE, then NEW. Select New Program Item. Description: mIRC v3.42. Command Line: Enter the path and name of the exe file (ex: C:\AOL25\MIRC\MIRC.EXE) then click OK. An Icon should now appear.

Win95 - Right click on the TASKBAR. Select PROPERTIES. Click on the Folder TAB that says START MENU PROGRAMS. Now click on ADVANCED. This will bring up your Start Program catagories. From here, click on PROGRAMS, then the group you want to add mIRC to (ex: AOL). Once all the programs in the AOL group are showing, click on FILE then NEW. Select SHORTCUT from the choices and it will ask you for a Command Line: Enter the Path and file name (ex: C:\AOL25\MIRC\MIRC.EXE) and then click NEXT. Discription: mIRC v3.42 now click FINISH. Your new ICON should appear.

When you have your ICON all set up log on to America Online normally and, after you have connected, MINIMIZE AOL, double click your new mIRC icon to start the program.

After it has come up you will have to follow the procedure below to get it configured and ready to work. Please follow it carefully.

Note: mIRC has excellent help menuing available by pressing F1.

First, click FILE then SETUP.

This is the information setup screen.

NOTE! SERVERS CAN AND WILL LOCK YOU OUT IF YOU VIOLATE THEIR RULES! ONE OF THESE RULES IS THAT YOU USE REAL INFORMATION! PLEASE REMEMBER TOS :)

Ok, with that said and done, there are TWO columns in the SETUP information screen. In the FIRST colum there are 6 boxes.

1st BOX: Your SCREEN NAME or REAL NAME. If your AOL screen name you are CURRENTLY using is LIONTAMER then that is what you put there. (If a server administrator finds this is not your real ID they will ban you from the SERVER)

2nd BOX: Your eMAIL Address. @aol.com. (replacing it with your screen name, of course) (If a server administrator finds this is not your real eMAIL address they will ban you from the SERVER)

3rd BOX: Leave this blank! The WINSOCK fills this in automatically.

4th BOX: A nickname! Any nickname, how do you want to be recognized on the IRC? Keep in mind that on a typical night there are 2-3 thousand channels open and 5-10 thousand people online! So, while you might usually use a nickname, someone else may also use that name, you don't and can't own it. So... that brings use to the 5th Box...

5th BOX: Alternate nickname! If the first one is in use when you log in, then it will automatically use this alternate. If the alternate is also in use, the mIRC program will pop up with /nick _ and wait for you to enter a new alternative nickname.

6th BOX: Leave blank! WINSOCK also fills this in.

Second Column:
1st BOX: Enter the SERVER that you want to connect to the IRC through. You can enter IRC through numerous IRC Servers or UnderNet IRC Servers, but for the best chance of getting in, please use AOL's server. It's address is: irc02.irc.aol.com

2nd BOX: PORT to connect through. Enter 6667 as your PORT #, click ADD SERVER, then CLICK CONNECT and you will connect to the IRC.

Once there, READ the MOTD! (Message of the Day!) then Join a channel and start talking! We recommend starting with these two great channels...

/join #newbies
/join #AOL

REMEMBER: AOL MUST be left running in the background. AOL Can be minimized or left open, it doesn't matter.

From now on when you startup mIRC, all you have to do is select FILE then CONNECT and you will connect to the IRC!

Happy chatting!

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