Using XChat IRC Client

XChat is an excellent cross-platform IRC client that runs in Windows XP, Mac OSX and Linux. The following instructions should help you get XChat installed and configured to join the Cigar Weekly IRC room. Note that they are screen grabs from my Linux desktop, so some things may look a bit different, but the functionality should be the same.

1. Go to the XChat download page and download the Precompiled Binary for your operating system.

2. Once it is installed run the program. You should be greeted with the Server List:

   

3. Set the Nick Name and Real Name in the Global User Info section to reflect your CW Forum login and your real name:

   

4. Check the "Edit mode" box in the lower left:

   

5. Click the "Add" button next to where it says "Networks" on the left. You should see a New Network item added to the list of networks:

   

6. Single click the where it says "New Network" to edit the text and change it to CigarWeekly (no space!):

   

7. In the servers field click where it says "newserver/6667" and change it to "irc.cigarweekly.com/6667":

   

8. Type #CW-Chat in the Join channels filed, check the "Auto connect at startup" box and the "No server list on startup" box:

   

9. Finally, click the Connect button. XChat will connect to our IRC server:

   

   then it should automatically join the #CW-Chat channel:

   

At this point you should just be able to start typing (the text should show up in the box next to your name near the bottom). When you press the "Enter" key it will send the message to the room.

On the right of the window is a list of the users currently in the channel. The green circle next to a name (e.g. Eddie) means that person is a channel operator. Eddie is a robot who sits in there all the time watching what's going on. He may respond to you at times...

Right mouse clicking on a name in the list brings up options for things you can do. All regular IRC text commands should also work in XChat (For example type '/me kicks back and smokes a fine cigar').

If you have any questions please direct them to webmaster@cigarweekly.com.

See you online!