The following pages were taken from the Official mIRC.com Website

IRC F.A.Q.

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Introduction to IRC for people using Windows.

Please note this file is included in the mIRC package! Start mIRC and look in the Help menu, or in any edit box type /ircintro.
With this IRC Intro file we try to introduce IRC to people using MS Windows. It is assumed you have an Internet Provider and you have some experience with using winsock programs. This intro file focuses on IRC itself. It will not go into details about installing or configuring the programs you need to use IRC, but if you ever managed to install and use programs like WS- FTP, Netscape, Eudora, WS-Archie, Mosaic, WinVN, FreeAgent or similar programs, you will not have any trouble understanding how to install and use an IRC program (client). Most IRC programs, especially the popuplar and better ones, are distributed with excellent help files on setting up and installing these programs. Some very good FAQ's on IRC already exist but they are often written around UNIX based IRC clients, and handle problems and give examples you will never need on a Windows based IRC client. That is why this IRC Intro file is made. We hope you will enjoy IRC!

(1) What is IRC?

IRC stands for "Internet Relay Chat". It was originally written by Jarkko Oikarinen in 1988. Since starting in Finland, it has been used in over 60 countries around the world. IRC is a multi-user chat system, where people meet on "channels" (rooms, virtual places, usually with a certain topic of conversation) to talk in groups, or privately. There is no restriction to the number of people that can participate in a given discussion, or the number of channels that can be formed on IRC.

(2) How is IRC set up?

As a user you run a "client" program which connects to a "server" in an IRC network. All servers are interconnected and pass messages from user to user over the IRC network. One server can be connected to several other servers and up to hundreds of clients. Several larger and smaller IRC networks exist. The largest one, called EFnet (Eris Free net), usually serves over 15000 users at any given moment. Smaller ones, like Undernet (10000) and Dalnet (5000), are a lot less populated but often offer more stability and convenience.

(3) What does a client do? What is the purpose of a server?

An irc client reads in the commands and text that you supply to it, and parses them. It filters them and performs the appropriate actions, and if necessary, passes them on to your IRC server. An IRC server can serve many other clients. The server holds information about the channels and people on IRC, as well as other pieces of information, and is also responsible for routing your messages to other users. The IRC network itself consists of multiple servers which are all connect to each other.

(4) How do I get on IRC?

First, you have to make sure an irc client is installed on your system. If you do not have one you should ask your local system admin to install a client on your PC or local area network. If you have a stand-alone PC with internet acces you have to obtain and install a client yourself. (dont worry ..its easy!)

(5) Where can I find an IRC client?

Popular IRC clients (in no particular order) : mIRC, Virc, and Pirch. You can get an IRC client by anonymous ftp from several sites (use the one closest to you) If you are not familiar with anonymous ftp, ask your network provider for assistance. FTP sites are :

ftp.undernet.org/pub/irc/clients/windows/
cs-ftp.bu.edu/irc/clients/pc/windows/
papa.indstate.edu/winsock-l/winirc/
ftp.winsite.com/pub/pc/win3/winsock/

You can also visit the programs' World Wide Web pages to download the clients:

WSIRC, mIRC, mIRC, mIRC, Virc and Pirch

All major FTP sites have some /windows/irc/ directory you can check for IRC programs. Once you have installed and run a simple IRC program, it is easy to ask for and get (!) a better one on IRC !!

(6) What else do I need before I can install an IRC client?

Besides running MS-Windows you need to have a properly installed WINSOCK. If you can use FTP, E-mail, News or other Internet programs from within Windows already, you can safely assume you have a winsock installed and it is working properly. If you do not have a properly working winsock installed on your PC you should install one first.

(7) How do I install this client that I found?

Most programs on the internet are transported in a compressed form. The better programs come in self extracting .exe files that also install the program for you. Sometimes you first have to unzip the file to be able to run the program in it. A good unzipper is winzip. Once unzipped, installing an IRC client (like any program) is mainly a matter of running its setup program or simply placing the files in a separate directory and running the program. After installation, you may have to specify some personal information before you can connect to an IRC server. For detailed instructions read the help files included in the programs (typically a .hlp file or readme.txt). Some IRC clients, like mIRC, have their own FAQ that provides detailed help. Reading such FAQ's is highly recommended!

(8) What do I have to fill in in the client's Setup menu?

The first time you run your IRC client program you have to fill in some information about yourself, such as, your Internet address and the IRC server with which you want to connect. Your client may also have a section for you to specify the port, password, real name, email address, nickname(s), IP address and Local Host name. These options are usually found under File/Setup/.

(9) Which server should I connect my client to?

It's usually best to try and connect to a geographically close server, even though that may not always be the best. Local (nearby) servers will normally work faster for you and will give you unrestricted access. You can always ask for suggestions on nearby server addresses when you log on to IRC.

(10) What is the port number to use to connect to IRC?

In general, the port number to use is 6667. Some, but not all, servers listen to other ports (most commonly in the 6665-6670 range). When in doubt, select port 6667 (Dalnet usually uses port 7000). A port number should be seen as an entrance to a server. If you take the wrong entrance (port) the server will not understand what you are doing, and will disconnect you.

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