I don't know how to connect to the IRC chat room.

[puppetless]

My computer is a Samsung N220 netbook with the windows operating system preinstalled. I am wanting to install the linux mint operating system in an hour or two. I downloaded the ''Introduction to Linux Mint'' user guide that was on the front page of linuxmint.com. In there it says:


''If you want to chat with other users you can connect to the IRC chat room..........If you’re using another operating system or another IRC client make sure to connect to the “irc.spotchat.org” server and to join the channels “#linuxmint-help” and “#linuxmint-chat”.''



Well, I typed irc.spotchat.org into my browser address box and went there. When I got there, the screen was blank, apart from the message: ''It works!'' I tried adding ''#linuxmint-help'' to irc.spotchat.org, but nothing happened. Obviously, I am not connecting to ircspotchat.org in the right way, but how do I do so?

[det4100]

irc.spotchat.org is an IRC server. You should try connecting to the IRC server with an IRC client such as XChat IRC or some other IRC client. After connecting to the server, then join the #linuxmint-help channel. Unless you have some sort of java IRC client plugin for your browser, typing in the server address won't get you connected in a way to join a channel.

BTW the "#" character stands for Channel. So when you join a channel, you type join #linuxmint-help

Be patient when asking for help. Even though it appears that there are a lot of folks on the channel, most of them are not at their keyboard. (Or most likely fell asleep and are drooling on their keyboard)

ikey just did an excellent little post on the subject, check it out:

http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=47779

Good luck

det4100

[puppetless]

Ok, so you're saying I have to get an IRC ''client''. And I have to do that by downloading an IRC client, right?

[dawgdoc]

mIRC is an IRC client for windows, It used to be free, as in beer, don't know if it still is, or if even still exists.

[rich_roast]

EDIT: Btw, X-Chat also exists for Windows, you can get an unofficial build if you look around (silverex I think it was)

Confirmed. I friend of mine uses this to connect to IRC on Windows and it appears to work fine.

[Midnighter]

Just boot from the linux mint live cd and use the Xchat client on it. Also, if you have any hiccups or questions, can ask while actually doing the install also.