This page will inform you on how to connect to #hot_talk. If you already know how to operate an IRC client, then just connect to a DALnet server and join #hot_talk. If you don't, then read on. This page will only tell you how to connect to #hot_talk using a MacOS or Windows computer. If your computer runs a different operating system, you're on your own.

You've probably visited chatrooms, whether it be web-based or through America Online, but IRC is hands down the most powerful chat system to use on the Internet. It's an old UNIX protocol that is mainly used through text commands, but most of these text commands don't have to be used by the users due to the fact that most recent IRC clients let you access them through menus, buttons, and other graphical interface elements. IRC is the name of the protocol, just like http is the name of the protocol that is used on the web. Then, there's IRC networks. These are big groups of channels (chatrooms) you can choose from. The network #hot_talk is on is called DALnet, some other networks include EFnet, Undernet, and Afternet. Then, finally, a channel is each individual chatroom. They can have unlimited amounts of people in them and they are governed by regular people and not by paid employees. Now onto the tutorials in getting setup to get on #hot_talk.

In order to connect #hot_talk, you need an IRC client. We at #hot_talk recommend Ircle 3.0b10, although there are other clients available. You can download it here. It is shareware and can be tried out for 30 days, then it becomes crippled. Although its beta software, it's really stable, and has never crashed on me.

Once you download Ircle and uncompress it using Stuffit Expander, launch the Ircle application. Then, check if the Connections palette is open. If not, go to the Windows menu and choose Connections or press command-K. After that, double-click on the first item in the Connections palette. That'll bring up a window that is called Connection Preferences. Click on the button named Select to choose a server. That'll bring up a big list of servers. You'll notice that there's two columns, one named Server Name and the other one named Network. Choose a server that's on the DALnet network. Then, press Return or click the Select button. That'll bring you back to the Connection Preferences window. Fill in the nickname box and other personal information. Then, press return or click OK. After that, highlight the item you just modified and click on the Connect button, which is on the Connections palette. Now, you'll start to connect to the DALnet server you selected. Once connected, go to the Commands menu and choose Join or press command-J. A window will come up and type #hot_talk into the box named Channel. Voila! You're now in #hot_talk!

WINDOWS

In order to connect to #hot_talk using Windows 3.1/95/98/NT, you too need an IRC client. We at #hot_talk recommend using mIRC 5.4.1, although other IRC clients are available. If you are using Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 with a 16-bit WinSock, you need the 16-bit version of mIRC. If you are using Windows 98 or Windows NT, you need the 32-bit version of mIRC. You can download it here. After downloading it, run the installer, which will be named mirc541s.exe (16-bit version) or mirc541t.exe (32-bit version). After, running the installer, launch the application.

Now, after you've opened up the application, a window should pop up telling you to register mIRC. You should get around to doing this if you plan to use mIRC on a regular basis. So, close the box, and then go in the File menu and choose Setup, or you can just press Alt-E. I believe it pops open automatically though the first time you run mIRC. In the first box with text in it, there will be an arrow next to it. Press that arrow and choose the item that says "Random DALnet Server". Then, fill in the Full name, Email address, and Nickname boxes. The password box does not need to be filled in. After that, press the Identd tab and fill in the User ID box. After you have completed that, press the OK button. Now you are ready to connect to DALnet IRC. Press the little lightning bolt button or go in the File menu and choose Connect to connect to a random DALnet server. Once you get connected, go in the Commands menu and choose Join Channel. A window will pop up that says mIRC Input Request. Type in #hot_talk and press OK. Like magic, you're transported into #hot_talk!