Just have fun and get to know people.

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and for the newbs:

IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. It's a realtime chat system with tons of servers and networks all over the world. The one we're using is the same server that FinalGear (Top Gear/Fifth Gear fan site) uses.

INSTALLATION
-Windows users: download & install mIRC. Trillian is also a popular program to use.
-Apple/Mac users: download & install: Colloquy

-Or you can use one of these web-based programs without having to install anything:

CONFIGURATION
When you start your IRC program you'll be asked for the following information:
-Select a nickname/username. You'll probably also be asked to select a secondary/alternative nickname in case your first choice is already being used for whatever reason.

-Your Full Name/Real Name is whatever you want to put down. It's seen when people 'whois' you (like looking at your profile on the vortex)

-email address/ident is a unique way to identify you. Any word, name, or random set of letters or numbers will do.

-irc server: irc.finalgear.com (default port.. no need to set/change that)

-channel: #pnwcc

BASIC USE
IRC is very simple to communicate with once you're up and running. You'll see a list of nicknames of the people who are in the channel with you, a main window showing everyone talking, and a smaller text box for you to type your own messages. Press 'enter' to send your message to everyone else.

There are a few very basic commands you can type from the text/message box to use IRC better. IRC commands start with a '/' to distinguish them from normal messages you're typing...
/server irc.finalgear.com will connect you to our server
/join #pnwcc will join you with our chat channel
/nick ThisIsYourNickname will change your nickname to whatever you want
/query NicknameOfSomeoneToIM send an IM to someone else in the channel. Another window will come up to talk to them with
/quit disconnects you completely from the server

There is no need to disconnect from the server if you don't want to. Many people just leave their IRC program running in the background when not chatting.

Conversations on IRC are not necessarily consistent and there are often 2 - 3 conversations going at once. The text can move rather quickly at peak times. It's a fast and effective way to chat with people.

You will see what looks like tabs showing the channel, any IM's ("msg"'s) you have open, and the server status window. Click between them just like you would in a browser.

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The advantage of IRC is that it's real time with no delay, servers being down, etc. Moderation will be kept to a minimum. Keep things at a PG-13 to R level at the most. People who push this limit or insult others repeatedly will be warned and possibly forced to leave the channel. Expect the channel to be similar to the Chit-Chat/Talk Threads but a little more free.. not to mention free from the Vortex.

Please don't hesitate to ask for help to get this going.. or IM me with questions. If you have any suggestions on how I can improve this post please IM me

BTW, this IRC channel is not at all connected with or supported by the vwvortex in any way. This is my own idea.

We've had upwards of 20 or so people in there at times.. feel free to join (and hang around) and chat with other local VW enthusiasts (just don't expect a whole lot of VW or car talk.. that's what this forum is for).

See you there!

Modified by rootrider at 4:38 PM 6-22-2007

Modified by rootrider at 6:03 PM 7-13-2007

Modified by rootrider at 4:19 PM 1-5-2008

Modified by rootrider at 6:43 PM 6-11-2008

Modified by rootrider at 1:32 AM 6-12-2008