The following tutorial will show you how to connect to iPocalypse with mIRC, join channels, view a channel list, and also add channels to your favorites.

1. Download mIRC, which can be found at http://mirc.com.
2. Install mIRC (clicking Next to the defaults during the setup will be fine).
3. Open mIRC. Once the program is open, you will be presented with something similar to the picture below (click for full size).

4. Click “Continue” on the About mIRC box reminding you to register the software. (mIRC is shareware and can be evaluated for 30 days. The software will work beyond the 30 days, you just have to click the “Continue” button every time you start mIRC.)
5. Next, you will be presented with the mIRC Options window. This is where you set your nick and configure other program options. Enter your real name (which doesn’t actually have to be your real name), your email (which, again, doesn’t need to be your email.. mIRC just uses the beginning part of the email (anything before the @) as your ident), your nickname, and an alternate nickname.

6. Once you fill in your information, click on “Servers” on the left side of the mIRC Options box. This is where you will add the information for iPocalypse. Unlike the picture below, your window will likely already have a list of servers in it.

7. Click the “Add” button to add a new server. Fill in the information to match the picture below. Note: Password is where your NickServ password would go. If you do not have a registered nick, you can just leave it blank.

8. Click “Add” after you fill in the server information. You will be returned to the server list and should see iPocalypse there.

9. Make sure “Random server” under iPocalypse is highlighted and click the “Select” button. You will be returned to the previous screen where you entered your nick, and will see “iPocalypse: Random server” as the selected server.

10. Click the “Connect” button. You will be connected to the network and will be presented with a screen similar to the picture below (click for full size). (Note: your mIRC Favorites window will show sample channels provided by mIRC. Feel free to delete them, as has been done in the picture.) To prevent the mIRC Favorites window from popping up every time you connect, simply uncheck “Pop up favorites on connect” before closing the window.

11. If you know which channel(s) you want to join, simple type “/join #channel” (without the quotes) at the server window. For example, /join #ipocalypse will open the channel #ipocalypse.

If you would like to see a list of all the channels on the network, simply type “/list” (without the quotes) and the channel list window will appear.

12. If you want to add a channel to your favorites so that you can auto-join it upon connecting, make sure that channel is on top and go to Favorites, Add to Favorites… The Add Channel box will pop up. The channel name will already be filled in. The description will be the channel’s current topic, which can be shortened or deleted. Make sure iPocalypse is selected in the Networks drop down box, and make sure to tick “Join on connect” under Options. Click OK when finished.

13. If you want to see which channels you have in your favorites or modify them, click on Favorites, Organize Favorites… The mIRC Favorites window will pop up, allowing you to see all channels in your favorites, as well as edit or delete them.

Congratulations! You have successfully connected to iPocalypse and added channels to your favorites. Happy chatting!