Connecting to a chat server and joining a channel
To connect to a chat server using Chat, you specify the IRC network that you want to use and the servers on the network that you want to connect to. You should configure Chat to try to connect first to servers that are close to your location. When you connect to a server, the server displays administration messages in the Status console.
After you are connected to a server, you can join a channel that is listed on the server. Chat lets you query the server for a list of the channels on the server. You can request a new list of channels or the channel list from the last time you queried the server. If it is the first time you are querying the server for a channel list, you must query the server for a new channel list. When you have the list of channels on the server, you can join a channel from the list and participate in the discussion on that channel.
You communicate with other chat users using the chat window. Typing messages in the message box at the bottom of the chat screen and pressing ENTER places your text in the chat window. Other chat users connected to that channel can read your message and respond to it. Each chat user's message begins with the user's nickname.
To connect to a chat server
1. Click Application Starter, Applications, Network, Chat.
2. Click Settings, Server And Proxy.
3. Choose an IRC network in the IRC Network text box.
4. Using the Move buttons, place the servers that you want Chat to try to connect to first, at the top of the server window.
5. Click OK.
6. Click Main, Connect.
To query the server for a list of channels
1. Click the Query Channel List button on the toolbar.
2. Click on one of the following query buttons:
Request new list
Use latest list
To join a channel
In the Channel list window, double click the channel you want to join.
To chat in the chat window
In the chat window, type your message in the message box and press ENTER.
To disconnect from a channel
Click the Close button at the top of the chat window.
To disconnect from a chat server
Click Main, Disconnect.