Introduction to Stratics IRC

The Stratics IRC server is available by connecting to irc.stratics.com with any IRC client. Stratics IRC is designed as a meeting place for anybody who's interested in Online Games and currently provides permanent channels for many different purposes, ranging from meeting places for large guilds to centers for discussion between the players and developers of Online Games. When arriving on irc.stratics.com, type "/list" (without the quotation marks) and you'll receive a full menu of all available channels.

The Stratics Channels

There exist a number of official chat channels created by the Stratics staff, each of which serve its own dedicated purpose.

• #Anarchy-Online - Chat channel dedicated to the MMP futuristic sci-fi Anarchy Online, from Funcom.
• #Asheron - Your means to discuss the eagerly-awaited MMORPG Asheron's Call, from Turbine Games.
• #Atriarch - The official chat forum for the upcoming independent sci-fi title Atriarch, the unique MMORPG from World Fusion. The developers behind this promising title are nearly always present and ready to chat.
• #ConsoleGames - Before all of this new-fangled Internet gaming stuff, there were the simple pixel-based cartridges that we all know and love. Visit this channel and reminisce with fellow gamers.
• #EverQuest - The most popular chat venue for EverQuest on the Net! Stop by to discuss EQ and meet a developer or two from Verant Interactive.
• #Middle-Earth - A great place to discuss and speculate about of the upcoming Middle Earth MMORPG from Sierra On-line.
• #Neverwinter - Chat channel dedicated to the unique GM-based MMORPG Neverwinter Nights, from Bioware.
• #Oper - The denizen of the Stratics IRC Ops. You may message this channel in case of emergency or if you have a question relating to our IRC network. There's nearly always someone present to help you with your difficulties.
• #Shadowbane - Chat channel dedicated to the MMORPG Shadowbane, from Wolfpack Studios.
• #Sovereign - Discuss the first major 3D massively-multiplayer realtime strategy game Sovereign, from Verant Interactive.
• #Ultima-Online - A highly successful discussion channel dedicated to the modern-day classic Ultima Online, from Origin Systems Inc. There is nearly always a member of the UO DevTeam present to answer questions relating to the game.
• #UOHoC - The chat forum for the bi-weekly UO House of Commons - developer chats. Be sure to attend and meet the designers of Ultima Online!

Remember that, at any time, you may also create your own channels for use by you and others wishing to chat about a common topic related to Online Gaming.

If you're new to IRC...

IRC, or "Internet Relay Chat" is a widely used medium for communicating via the Internet. You will need to download an IRC client in order to connect to an IRC server--using your web browser will just redirect you to a related web page. We recommend that you download mIRC, a small but effective shareware IRC client (although most clients will work just fine). Once you've downloaded and installed the program, return here for instructions on connecting to the Stratics IRC Server.

Setting up mIRC

In order to connect to our IRC server, just follow these steps (also available in a slightly modified form from the mIRC hompeage):

• Double click the icon (shortcut) to start up mIRC.
• mIRC will show the Setup Dialog and require you to fill in some information
• In the mIRC Setup select the IRC Servers tab and enter the following information in the fields:
  
  
  • Real Name: Your real name (ie, Tjerk Vonck)
  • E-Mail: Your email address (ie, t.r.vonck@student.utwent.nl)
  • Nick Name: A one to nine character alias to use on the chat system (ie, Falcon)
  • Alternate: If someone else is already using the Nick Name you you've chosen on IRC, you will be known by this alternate name instead. (ie, Falcon13)
  
  
• On the server list, click on Add and type in irc.stratics.com.
• Next, select the Local Info tab. Normally you dont have to fill in anything here. Just make sure the boxes under 'On Connect, Always get :' IP Address and Local Host are Checked (selected). For various Internet Providers and PC setup's you might need other settings here. Dont worry too much for now, if you get problems later just read the help provided on this topic in the mIRC Help file (mirc.hlp).
• Now select the Identd tab and Enable the Identd Server. Your User ID should already be filled-in there. Eventually fill in your Account Name in this field. (Your account name is the part before the @ in your email address, like t.r.vonck in my case) The system should allways be set to UNIX and Listening on port 113.
• Once this is all set, click on the OK button to close the mIRC Setup Dialog.
• mIRC is now set up and totally ready to use.

Using mIRC

• Click on the File menu and select Connect. (Or select the lightning button in the Toolbar)
• After a short wait (up to 20 seconds) you will see some meaningless blurb appear in the status window. The last line will say something like "End of MOTD command". You are on Stratics IRC now! Congratulations.
• To join a conversation, either type the /join {channel_name} command in the single line box at the bottom of the Status window or type the name of the desired channel into the mIRC Channels Folder. (See above for a list of available official Stratics channels.)
• To get a listing of all available channels you might try the /list command.
• When you join a channel, a new window will appear on your screen.
  
  
  The names on the right side column are those people who are currently joined in the channel.
  • The left hand window is where everyone's conversation takes place.
  • To say things to the people joined to the channel, just type your comments in the single row box at the bottom of the channel's window.
  • To leave a channel, just double click on the close box, which is located at the top-left hand corner of the channel name's window.

You should now be all ready to be a part of the Stratics IRC Server and all of its channels. Enjoy!