I keep hearing everyone talk about IRC. I really have NO idea what IRC is or how it works.

OK, what I think I do know it this: you use IRC to go to a chatroom called #loisclark and chat.

Here is what I don't know:

1 - What do you chat about? Specifically, is this mainly a continuation of discussions here on the boards, or is this a place to get to know each other and discuss other topics of interest, too?

Supesfan wrote in another thread:
This brings up my next set of questions:

2 - Where do I go to find this "mIRC"?

3 - What is "Undernet servers" and how do I connect to it?

4 - Once I've downloaded "mIRC", and connected to "Undernet servers", is it going to be self-evident how to log into #loisclark, or am I going to be coming back here to ask you that, too? (Being that I've never used a chatroom and have no idea how to log into one.)

5 - Where do I go to get the password?

6 - OK, I know this is a stupid question, but I've been brave enough to ask all my other questions, I might as well ask this: Do you all use the same name on IRC that you use here? If not, how do you recognize each other?

Well, thanks to anyone who can answer these questions!

- Vicki

Let's see if I can help you a bit.

We chat about most everything. It's a place where we get to know each other better, but we also discuss fanfic, the show, other shows, lately the topic has often been trailers. It's also a great place for thwapping and nagging. Generally, most everything you'd discuss with your RL friends, we discuss it too.

If you use a PC, you can go to www.mirc.com and download it from there. Mac users have to go to a different site, http://www.ircle.com
You have to connect to an undernet server in order to join the #loisclark channel. Elena showed it very clear once. Look at this: http://www.lcficmbs.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=000034 It should answer most of your questions.

Also, a lot of other information can be found here: http://www.lcficmbs.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=11;t=000016;p=1

The URL's above should help you with this one too. Once you're in the channel and have more questions, most of us will be able to help you. It's not so hard to use, and after you've been there a couple of times, you'll probably find it just addictive as the rest of us.

If you go here , you can sign up for the password.

Most of us use the same nicks on IRC as you see them on the boards. For example, you will find me as Saskia (or SaskiaK) there too.

Hope this helps you on your way. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask them!

Saskia

And if all that wasn't enough, there's a basic run through here on the Archive too.

If you run into any difficulties before you get into the channel, just post here - no question is too dumb and we're all bound to have hit the same problems ourselves first time, so know the answers.

As Sas says we pretty much chat about anything and everything under the sun. And, of course, if you practice in #loisclark, you'll have the added bonus of being an old hand and expert just in handy time for logging into the Kerth ceremony channels on Saturday! <g>

LabRat

Thank you!

I have managed to download and install mIRC, and I followed the instructions and was able to connect to an Undernet server. So far, so good!

Now, as soon as I receive the password (which I've already requested), I'll be all set.

- Vicki