I figured I ought to put this into a separate thread, for easy access.

First of all, you'll need an IRC program. mIRC is a popular program for Windows, while ircle (unregistered has a 30 minute limit) and XChat Aqua are available for the Mac. For those rare linux users, check out XChat and irssi. While the server we use (undernet.org) has a webchat, I don't recommend it since you can't put the channels in side-by-side mode (something you may want, considering the scroll!)

The server we'll be using is undernet.org. Most IRC programs have a list of servers already in place, but if you have any problems connecting to a server, the list can be found here .

The two channels we'll be in is #kerthawards and #kerthchat. Once you're connected to a server, use the following commands to join the channels:

/join #kerthawards
/join #kerthchat

Wendy posted some wonderful mIRC instructions (with screenshots!) from a previous Kerth Ceremony here . There are also a lot of threads that deal with IRC questions on the boards.

If you have any questions or issues, PM me. I'm already in the channels, so feel free to stop by and test things out!

For Mac I would recommend Colloquy which is very simple and quite free.

I just downloaded the new mIRC (v. 6.5 or so). It's been about 3 years since I was on. For US Folcs I would recommend picking a US server rather than sticking with "Random Server". You can get the list to expand and pick a named server. If you can't get on there, they try the nearest available server.
Good luck.
See you there.

Artemis (LCArtemis on IRC)

For Mac I would also rec Colloquy like Lara said, but just in case there are any problems with that (though there shouldn't be), there is also another great program called Snak that has a 30 day free trial. I've used both and found them both pretty equally good (but Colloquy is completely free, where Snak is not).

is anybody on right now? I'm still trying to my way around this confusing thing!!! I think i'm in the room... but I'm all by myself!

There are several of us there.

Bob

Bella - make sure you're using an undernet server...

It wont' connect me to an undernet server, dangit. *goes back to list*

I wish I had a suggestion. I'm using mIRC on Vista and it just worked.

What are you using and on what OS?

What happens when you try, Bella? Some of the undernet servers require you to prove you're a real person by making you type /quote pass <numbers> when you try to connect. Have you tried the servers in the list I linked at the top?

are they spelled right? I know it sounds silly but one year Zoom went to the kertawards...

thanks you guys! I downloaded a new client and that was the problem!

The homepage of the archive is now changed into a chat site for the awards... so anyone who can't connect through mIRC or such program, go to www.lcfanfic.com

Thanks for that, Lauren.

Saskia