Directions to #QuiltChat™
via AOL

AOL's Own Directions (Modified)

NOTE: these instructions apply to Prodigy users, as well.

About IRC

Internet Relay Chat bears a resemblance to AOL's People Connection chat, but in many ways it is very different. IRC chat is not limited to AOL members. IRC can be accessed by everyone on the Internet.

IRC is broken into "channels" (similar to what are called "rooms" on AOL chat.) Once you get the hang of IRC, you can be on more than one channel at a time. This is probably the feature that most often makes people either love IRC or hate it: there are lots of people, tons of channels, and no crowd control.

But on IRC you can talk about anything. If you can think of a topic, chances are good that you can find a channel where others are talking about that subject. IRC features thousands of simultaneous conversations. And if you need help, don't worry -- the folks on IRC tend to be helpful, and there are channels dedicated to assisting IRC newbies.

The IRC software is not built into America Online. The Web browser, e-mail and other tools are built right into your AOL software, but IRC isn't. So if you want to use IRC, you'll have to download and install special client software. This isn't rocket science, but it's one reason that IRC isn't for Net newbies.

Windows Users

Windows AOL users have to perform three steps to use IRC for the first time. After that first time, using IRC is much easier.

1. Make sure you're using AOL 3.0. (You can use IRC with AOL 2.5, but it's more complicated, and 3.0 is oh-so-much nicer.) If you don't have AOL 3.0 yet, go to keyword UPGRADE to get it, pronto.
2. You need to download and install an IRC client, the program that gives you access to the IRC interface. There are several IRC programs out there -- you can use just about any of them. The one that all my Windows-usin' friends seem to like best is called mIRC. You can download mIRC. After you download the program, you need to install it. You should find the file mIRC603.exe in the DOWNLOAD directory under your AOL30 directory. Find and run the program. It will install on your computer.
3. Now, you can use mIRC. Make sure you're logged in to AOL (log back on if you logged off for the installation) then run the mIRC program. (You should find mIRC.EXE in C:\mIRC.) You'll see a welcome screen, then the setup screen. There's a big list of IRC servers -- most IRC servers DON'T work with AOL, you have to use one of the few that do (NOTE: we at #QuiltChat™ have found that most servers DO work with AOL). Scroll down and click on one that says "Ascends.Net" (or add one of the servers on our mIRC page, following the instructions there). In the boxes below, type your real name, e-mail address, a nickname (be creative--IRC nicknames need to be unique) and an alternate nickname (in case someone else already has your creative name.) Click OK, and you'll be chatting with IRC in a moment.

Once you are connected to Ascends.Net, you can use the Ascends.Net services (ChanServ, NickServ and MemoServ). You can learn a lot about NickServ by typing "/nickserv help" at any time. You can also download (right click and choose "Save File As") either services.hlp (a windows help file that "plugs" into mIRC by downloading it to your mIRC folder) or servhelp.txt (a text file of the commands available).

Macintosh Users

1. Make sure you're using AOL 3.0. IRC won't work with AOL for Mac version 2.anything. If you don't have AOL 3.0 yet, go to keyword UPGRADE to get it, posthaste.
2. Now you need to download and install an IRC client, the program that gives you access to the IRC interface. There are a couple of good IRC programs out there -- you can use just about any of them. The one I like best is called IRCle. You can download IRCle from the Web site http://www.ircle.com/. After it has been downloaded, uncompress the file with StuffIt Expander. You'll find a folder called IRC on your hard drive, and in it, the IRCle program.
3. Make sure you're logged in to AOL then run the IRCle program. After the welcome screen, pick Preferences->Startup from IRCle's File menu. In the Server field, choose OTHER SERVER, then enter "irc02.irc.aol.com" in the field. (There's a big list of IRC servers -- but most IRC servers DON'T work with AOL, you have to use one of the few that do.) Now enter your nickname (be creative--IRC nicknames need to be unique), a username and your real name in the provided fields and press OK. Finally, choose OPEN CONNECTION from your FILE menu and you'll be connected to the IRC server.

Once you are connected to Ascends.Net, you can use the Ascends.Net services (ChanServ, NickServ and MemoServ). You can learn a lot about NickServ by typing "/nickserv help" at any time. You can also download servhelp.txt (a text file of the commands available).

Using IRC

IRC is a powerful tool -- there are many commands, but only a few that the beginner needs to know. When you start IRC, you'll need to join a channel -- to choose a subject, and join some people who may actually be talking about that subject. You can join a channel by picking "Join" from the Commands menu. Scroll through them -- there are usually hundreds, sometimes thousands of channels.

After you've joined a channel, anything that you type will be seen by everyone else on that channel. Don't be shy -- say hello. You'll see your salutation echo back in the main IRC window, preceded by your chosen nickname. With any luck, someone will say hello to you.

I can't get into all the IRC commands -- but I'll tell you about some Web pages that offer great, detailed information about using mIRC and IRCle. Windows users should visit the mIRC Info Center at http://mIRC.stealth.net/. Mac users should head over to the IRCle home page at http://www.ircle.com/.

For more information about using IRC, you can go to keyword AM FOCUS and choose "Internet Relay Chat" from the list.

IRC is a big system. It takes some time to get used to. You may love IRC, or you may hate it. I don't know if it's better that other chat forums, but IRC does have a lot to offer Internet users. You can find small cozy chat sessions or join a huge online party with dozens of other participants.

Here are direct links for AOL 3.0 users: