Notice of CBBQA Internet chat session: how members keep in touchIRCIRC means "Internet Relay Chat" and is the Internet's original messaging program. These "chat" or "messaging" programs permit computer users to type in real time with other computer users on the Internet. Whatever is typed by one person is seen by others. Other popular messaging programs include:
The advantage of IRC over the others is that IRC is independent of the operating system and much more universal. ReasonCBBQA has directors and members all around the US, and IRC seems like the best solution for members to get involved and stay connected on a regular basis. The Associations Treasurer, Roger Cole, realized the benefit to the members of using IRC to stay in touch. During last week's chat session, both David Klose in Texas and David Spriggs in Washington joined members in the Bay Area, Los Angeles area, San Diego and elsewhere to talk about plans for upcoming events, including the World Championships and other matters. With IRC, directors and members from all around the U.S. will be able to get information, make suggestions, ask questions, and the like. AgendaAt last week's meeting, there was no formal agenda, and the session seemed to go pretty smoothly. This week, there will be an agenda, and everyone is welcome to add anything of their concern. The agenda so far includes the following items so far -- and we'll try to go in Agenda order on Thursday. This is for the first hour -- the "general chat" session.
The agenda for the Board of Directors meeting has not yet been set. Email me if you have any items to include. How-ToHere are the detailed steps to get the program, install it, configure it, and then use it to join the IRC chat sessions.
Note, you have to go through all these steps only ONE TIME -- after that, it's just point and click. Here's how to do it the first time. First, downloadGet the IRC chat program called mIRC. The program is free for use by the Association when used for CBBQA chats (you are urged to register it if you want to use it for non-CBBQA chat sessions). To get the program, visit http://www.mirc.com and follow these detailed steps (this assumes that you are using a version of Windows):
Second, installAfter the download is complete, click on the saved file, "mirc601.exe", and follow the instructions to install the program.
Third, configureStart the mIRC program for the first time and configure it, as follows:
Fourth, connect and joinFinally, there are two steps to actually join a channel: first, you connect to a server, and then you actually join a channel. The detailed steps are:
BINGO! You're now in the channel and can "chat" with everyone else from CBBQA who is online.
Reserve a nickA "nick" is a "nickname". In IRC, users are not required to use their actual names. However, for the #CBBQA channel, members are requested to use a 'standard' nick, so that everyone can recognize each other. The CBBQA standard nick is the member's first name follwed by "_cbbqa" (without the quotes). Members who share first names should also include the first letter of their last names.
Members can reserve their own nicks permanently, so that others cannot use them. This means that members will have their nicks available whenever they need them. Registration is free and can be done as follows:
Once registration has been completed, the nick is available as follows. Whenever a member first logs on (or changes to) the nick, the server will report the following message:
To confirm that you are the owner of the nick, simply type the following command in the mIRC window:
In a moment, mIRC will display the message (where [your nick] is the correct nick):
In future sessions, the registered nicks will always be available to those who registered them. Members can put their nicks in mIRC by clicking:
InformationThere is much more information about IRC and DALnet available. Start with the websites listed below. Questions and comments about #CBBQA should be emailed to Roger Cole. Related information
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