First, start by selecting a server to connect to. You will notice that there is a default server selected already and that by clicking the little down arrow key, a menu drops down that lists many more possible servers to connect to. Click on any one of them and it will be placed in the server connection window as the server to connect to (relax -- until you click on "CONNECT", nothing will happen!)

You can also type in the name of a server that is not listed on the server list by clicking on "Edit Server List" which is found to the right of the server window. (To connect to the VU IRC server, you will have to do this ... the good news is once it's there, it's there for good!) All new server names entered must be in the order they appear in the box ...

For example, to connect to VU classes you would use:
      irc.webmaster.com:6667
(irc.webmaster.com is the name of the server and :6667 is the port to use to connect -- almost all servers use port :6667 as their connection port).

Now that you have selected a server, you need to fill in some personal information about yourself, especially how you want to be identified on IRC.

There are two slots in the "Server Connection" window that prompt you for "Nicknames". A nickname is simply the name you will be known as once you have logged onto IRC. The nickname you pick can be your first name, or one that you make up. For example: Mike or Cindy or Rocker or Daisy. Remember that IRC channels are composed of real people from all over the world, so try not to pick a name that may be offensive to others (doing so may only lead to you being banned from channels).

There are two fields allowing you to enter the nickname you want to use. The reason you must have two different nicknames is because no two people can be using the exact same nickname on the same server at the same time (Example: If you have selected David and someone is already on IRC as David, PIRCH will automatically try your second nickname selection). It is therefore advisable to pick nicknames that are not common. In the event that both of your selected nicks are currently being used by others, another window will pop up asking you to type in another choice for a nickname. You can either choose a different name or add a number after your name to logon. If you pick nicknames that are not common, this should rarely happen.

Once you are logged into IRC, you can still change your nickname by typing in:       /nick newnickhere       (where "newnickhere" would be replaced by a new name that you have chosen, then hit the "Enter" button on your keyboard).

Now that you have entered the server and the nicknames you wish to use, you must enter your e-mail address and a name. Enter your name and e-mail address in the fields provided. Your e-mail address identification (the part after the @ symbol) will be used to log into the IRC server. Some servers require this information be correct before it will allow you access, so it's best to use your real E-mail address.

In the name field, place a name. This name does not have to be your own..... it could even be the nickname you selected. Since other users on IRC will have access to this name field, many people feel uncomfortable using their real name on the Net and IRC and they just make one up. (Be warned that using your real name on IRC may not be wise. There are many creeps on IRC and the Net, once they have your real name and geographical location, it's not too hard for them to look you up. For that reason, pseudonyms are often used by regular IRC users).

Now the only thing left to do is set your mode settings ...........

The mode settings available with PIRCH are:

Invisible on Server

Receive Server Messages

Wallops

The "Receive Server Messages" is better left off (unchecked). Server messages, depending on how many people are logged on, can come to you at a rate of 50 to 60 per minute. Generally server messages tell you what the server is doing at any given moment (For example: when it has banned someone, kicked someone off or when there have been unauthorized connections). Since these messages serve no real purpose to the average user, other than to drive you bonkers or make you confused, it's better to leave them turned off.

The "Wallops" is a form of private conversation used by "Channel Operators" (those are the people who have a @ appearing before their nickname and control a given channel). To the average user who does not have operator status, the Wallops command can be turned on or off, it makes no difference.

Now everything is done except saving these settings to a file (a profile file) so that you do not have to repeat these steps every time you wish to connect to IRC.

PIRCH allows you to have multiple profiles that contain the user's preferences such as font settings and other user settings. If there is more than one person who will use PIRCH in your household, you can each have your own profiles. Also, if you switch frequently between IRC networks such as buffnet and undernet, you may want to setup an individual profile for each network. If this is the case, make sure when clicking the "Save Profile" button on the right of the "Server Connection" window, that you give each profile a new name (Example: If you and your spouse will be using PIRCH with different profiles, call one file your first name and another profile by your spouse's first name. Doing this will allow each of you to quickly load your personal profile before connection).

All changes you make to the user options will apply to this profile, and are automatically saved for you.

To permanently add or remove server names from the list, click on the "Edit Servers" button. Once you have entered the desired connection information, click on the "Connect" button. This action will display the "server/status" window for the connection and show the connection progress. As PIRCH logs you into IRC, the server will display the MOTD (Message of the Day) file of the server you are connected to. Most servers also welcome you using your nickname and give a description of their rules.

Okay, so now I'm connected ...... what now?

To find out what channels are available on the server you are connected to, click on "Channels" found at the top of your screen. Wait a few seconds (or minutes depending on the server) and a list of all the channels currently open on the server will appear in the right window pane. Channels have a # before their name (Example: #Pirch would indicate a channel called Pirch, where # means channel and Pirch means the name). If your VU class or group channel is not on the list, simply type (in the typing area on the bottom of your screen)       /join #whatever       (whatever being the name of the # you want to join) and click the "ENTER" button on your keyboard.