IRC For AOL Members

My comments relating to the chat in Blue

Effective March 16, 1997:

Please do *not* link directly to this URL as it'll change periodically. Link to http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/saint. Thank you.

To save this page as a text file, click FILE then click SAVE AS, and use filename aolhelp.txt.

IRC For AOL Members

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

II. mIRC 5.02s (16 Bit)Installation, Setup And Troubleshooting

III. miRC 5.02t (32 Bit)Installation, Setup And Troubleshooting

IV. PIRCH .80 (16 Bit)Installation And Setup

V. PIRCH .90 (32 Bit)Installation And Setup

VI. Basic IRC Commands And Modes

VII. IRC Related Links

VIII. Finding An IRC Server - Exclusively For AOL Members

I. Introduction

Internet Relay Chat, IRC, gives AOLers the ability to chat with people outside of the AOL service. IRC is similar to The People Connection chat in that you may communicate in real time with one or several people, in open, semi-private, or private channels. With IRC you can also transfer files directly, not via email, to another IRC user in real time.

Much the way your browser allows you to visit netsites on the World Wide Web, an IRC software, a client, allows you to visit an IRC host. Both WWW netsites and IRC hosts are also called servers, computers with high speed data connections and large amounts of memory. With IRC software your personal computer becomes a client and communicates with an IRC server in code, called a protocol.

mIRC and PIRCH for Windows are two of the most powerful and intuitive IRC clients available today. Included here are four guides written in checklist format that you should find easy to follow. The layout is a, lean, concise one and it's highly recommended that you complete each step before moving on to the next.

AOL has what's known as dynamic IP and dynamic host addressing. These can cause complications if you use more than one ISP (Internet Service Provider) with IRC. The guides are written to get you connected with that in mind. If you've used mIRC on other services some of the steps may seem strange, especial ly in the LOCAL INFO setup. Resist the temptation to alter these steps until you've successfully connected to an IRC server.

You'll also find helpful troubleshooting and tips for mIRC and a list of IRC commands and modes to help you navigate and per- form basic IRC tasks that'll enhance your IRC experience.

It's my wish that you enjoy IRC completely and I welcome you to IRC on AOL.

II. mIRC 5.02s (16 Bit) - Installation, Setup And Troubleshooting

*****READ: _mIRC 5.02s_, 16 bit version, is for use with Windows 3.1x AOL for Windows versions 2.5 and higher, including AOL for Windows 95.

*****Pre-installation --download mIRC 5.02s, 16 bit version, from http://www.mirc.co.uk, to an empty directory or move it to an empty directory before installation --for Win 95 , use Control Panel to setup and move on to *****Setup.

*****Installation --for Win 3.1x double click mirc502s.exe to run mIRC setup --for Win 3.1x, create an icon for Program Mgr: FILE, NEW, PROGRAM ITEM --L@@K: copy winsock.dll (11KB in size) from c:\aol\winsock to your mIRC directory now --start AOL 3.0, wait for a successful connection --start mIRC 5.02s

*****Setup --click yellow folder icon on icon bar, for mIRC setup --click tab called LOCAL INFO --clear the LOCAL HOST field, leave blank --clear the field for IP ADDRESS, leave blank --'On Connect Always Get', unmark both boxes, for HOST and IP --for METHOD select NORMAL --select IRC SERVERS tab - ignore the server list window bar --_DO NOT_ choose the 'Connect to IRC Server!' --use only LOWER CASE letters for your mIRC setup entries --for FULL NAME, type anything you want --for E-MAIL ADDRESS, type a name and do not use 'aol.com', lower case letters --for NICKNAME, type what you'd like to be called --for ALTERNATE, type a backup user name you'd like to be called --select the IDENTD tab --select the option 'Enable Identd Server' by clicking the box --for USER ID use same name you chose for the E-MAIL ADDRESS, lower case letters --no other changes are necessary, click OK to save all changes, you're ready to connect --in mIRC Status Window, type the following and press enter: /server irc01.irc.aol.com --you should see the /MOTD (the server's message) --if you get an "Unable to..." message read on, post a message on the AOL Winsock message Board, IRC With AOL Winsock section

You can try this to see if the software is working, but to get to the J&V chat, you will have to go to the server chat.talkcity.com

*****If you don't connect, DO THIS: --COPY (do not move or delete) the AOL winsock.dll (11kb in size) to the mIRC directory - restart your machine to pickup the change --ALWAYS start AOL first, establish an AOL Internet connection, then start mIRC

*****'Unable to resolve local host' message solutions: --be sure you're connected to AOL before you start mIRC --there are two AOL 3.0 versions, be sure you're using the 16 Bit 'AOL 3.0 For Windows' --do not manually enter an IP or HOST, let mIRC do this for you --mIRC E-Mail Address and IDENTD must be identical and in lower case letters

*****'Unable to connect to IRC server solutions: --AOL members can't use ports 6660 through 6669 on non-AOL servers

*****'Unable to resolve IRC server' solutions: --be sure you're connected to AOL before you start mIRC --selected server could be mistyped or non-existent --slow DNS process: to resolve, start mIRC 5.02s, type /DNS [servername]. Now try connecting using the IP number that the servername resolves to. Example: /dns irc01.irc.aol.com will resolve to 152.163.193.129. Now, type: /server 152.163.193.129 to connect

III. mIRC 5.02t (32 Bit) - Installation, Setup And Troubleshooting

*****READ: If you have Windows 95, you must also have AOL 3.0 for Windows 95 to use mIRC 5.02t.....If you don't have AOL 95, get mIRC 5.02s..note the 's'....instead of mIRC 5.02t.

*****Pre-installation --download mIRC 5.02t, 32 bit version, from http://www.mirc.co.uk, to an empty directory or move it to an empty directory before installation --close all Windows applications before you begin mIRC installation & setup

*****Installation --In Windows 95, select START, then SETTINGS, CONTROL PANEL, ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS and follow through on installation --L@@K: COPY winsock.dll (42KB in size) from c:\aol\net\osr1 to your mIRC directory now --start AOL 3.0 for Windows 95, wait for a successful connection --start mIRC 5.02t, press ESC to bypass the software's information popup

You can try this to see if the software is working, but to get to the J&V chat, you will have to go to the server chat.talkcity.com

*****If you don't connect, DO THIS: --COPY (do not move) c:\aol30\net\osr1\winsock.dll to the mIRC directory - reboot your machine to pickup the change --ALWAYS start AOL first, establishing an AOL Internet connection, then start mIRC

*****'Unable to connect to IRC server solutions: --AOL members can't use ports 6660 through 6669 on non-AOL servers

IV. PIRCH .80 Beta (16 Bit) - Installation And Setup

*****READ PIRCH .80 Beta, a 16 bit version, is for use with Windows 3.1x and AOL for Windows versions 2.5 and higher, including AOL for Windows 95. To determine your version of AOL, click HELP from the AOL main menu, then click ABOUT AMERICA ONLINE.

*****Pre-installation --verify that AOL's parental control settings allow Internet access --Download PIRCH .80 Beta from http://www.bcpl.lib.md.us/~frappa/pirch.html to an empty tempo- rary directory

*****Installation --unzip the file, then double-click to install to a directory --copy (do not move) AOL's winsock.dll (c:\aol30\winsock) to the new PIRCH directory

*****Setup --to run PIRCH .80, select either the new desktop icon or double click pirch.exe --select LOGIN from the menu, a SERVER CONNECTION box appears --SERVERS, skip this for now --PERSONAL INFORMATION --Name (type a name, but be anonymous) --e:mail (type something, but be anonymous) --LOGON NICKNAMES --Nickname (something you'd like to be called) --Alternate (something else you'd like to be called) --INITIAL USER MODES - leave these unmarked for now, change later --PASSWORD - leave blank --EDIT SERVER LIST - select ADD and a SERVER box appears --SERVER (type irc01.irc.aol.com) --PORT (type 6667) --NETWORK ID (leave blank) --OK to save the changes --EDIT, DELETE, HELP can be explored later, after you've connected --CLOSE to save the profile --SAVE PROFILE, then select OK to save profile default location --AUTO CONNECT (leave blank for now) --select CONNECT --SERVER/STATUS window appears --verify the SERVER NAME is irc01.irc.aol.com:6667, if go back in setup instructions --select PREF from the PIRCH menu before you go any further --select FLOOD, enable FLOOD CONTROL setting --select CTCP, enable AUTOMATIC CTCP FLOOD CONTROL --select OK to save these changes --select CONNECT, successul connection will produce the Message of the Day or 'MOTD' --new IRCers select HELP, COMMAND REFERENCE

You can try this to see if the software is working, but to get to the J&V chat, you will have to go to the server chat.talkcity.com

V. PIRCH .90 Beta (32 Bit) - Installation And Setup

*****Read If you have Windows 95, you must also have AOL 3.0 for Windows 95 to use PIRCH .90 Beta, a 32 bit version. If you don't have AOL 95, you'll use PIRCH .80. To determine your version of AOL, click HELP from the AOL main menu, then click ABOUT AMERICA ONLINE.

*****Pre-installation --verify that AOL's parental control settings allow Internet access --Download PIRCH .90 Beta from http://www.bcpl.lib.md.us/~frappa/pirch.html to an empty temporary directory. You may use this version with AOL 3.0 for Windows 95 only.

*****Installation --unzip the file, then double-click to install to a directory --Copy(do not move) AOL's winsock.dll (c:\aol30\net\osr1) to the new PIRCH directory

*****Setup --to run PIRCH .90 Beta, select either the new desktop icon or double-click pirch.exe --select LOGIN from the menu, a SERVER CONNECTION box appears --SERVERS, skip this for now --PERSONAL INFORMATION --Name (type a name, but be anonymous) --e:mail (type something, but be anonymous) --LOGON NICKNAMES --Nickname (something you'd like to be called) --Alternate (something else you'd like to be called) --INITIAL USER MODES - leave these unmarked for now, change later --PASSWORD - leave blank --EDIT SERVER LIST - select ADD and a SERVER box appears --SERVER (type irc01.irc.aol.com) --PORT (type 6667) --NETWORK ID (leave blank) --OK to save the changes --EDIT, DELETE, HELP can be explored later, after you've connected --CLOSE to save the profile --SAVE PROFILE, then select OK to save profile default location --AUTO CONNECT (leave blank for now) --select CONNECT --SERVER/STATUS window appears --verify the SERVER NAME is irc01.irc.aol.com:6667, if go back in setup instructions --select PREF from the PIRCH menu before you go any further --select FLOOD, enable FLOOD CONTROL setting --select CTCP, enable AUTOMATIC CTCP FLOOD CONTROL --select OK to save these changes --select CONNECT, successul connection will produce the Message of the Day or 'MOTD' --new IRCers select HELP, COMMAND REFERENCE

You can try this to see if the software is working, but to get to the J&V chat, you will have to go to the server chat.talkcity.com

VI. Basic IRC Commands And Modes

Basic Commands

Command Usage explained Example

Once you are connected to Talkcity type /join #jaxvenus to join the Jax and Venus chat

/nick change username /nick Saint /join join or create a channel /join #camelot /part leave a channel /part#camelot /quit leave IRC server /quit C'ya! /away turn on/off away msg /away bye /me describes action /me waves bye! /msg private msg /msg Saint Hi! /query private msg w/ window /msg Saint Hi! /whois user information /whois Saint /whowas past user information /whowas Saint /list lists all visible channels /list

User Modes - Optional enhancements, + activates, - deactivates

Mode Usage explained Example

i user visible status /mode Saint +i s receive server msg /mode Saint +s

Operator Commands - Channel commands. + activates, - deactivates

Command Usage explained Example

t topic locked by ChanOp /mode #camelot t n no external messages /mode #camelot n p private /mode #camelot p s secret/invisible /mode #camelot s m moderated /mode #camelot m i invite only /mode #camelot i L population /mode #camelot L 15 b ban a user /mode #camelot b saint o ChanOp status /mode #camelot o saint

VII. IRC Related Links

Saint's List http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/saint mIRC Homepage http://www.mirc.co.uk PIRCH Homepage http://www.bcpl.lib.md.us/~frappa/pirch.html New IRC Users http://www.neosoft.com/~biscuits

VIII. Finding An IRC Server - Exclusively For AOL Members

Saint's List contains over 400 IRC servers and over 40 IRC networks If the list were updated as often as IRC servers change names or linked to a new network the list would be difficult to manage... That's to say it'd be *more* difficult to manage ;).

AOLers should keep in mind that they may not use ports from 6660 through 6669 on non-AOL servers. The only two IRC servers that al- low access on ports 6660 through 6669 are AOL's Undernet, irc01.irc.aol.com, and AOL's EFNet, irc02.irc.aol.com. With that in mind, use Saint's list at:

Note: You can not use these two servers for the J&V chat - that is on Talkcity

(I borrowed this from them. There is a link to the original page at the top)

URL: http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/saint/aolhelp.htm - Updated June 30, 1997

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