Accessing the Hudnall Chat Room
The Hudnall chat has been moved. #hudfam is now found on Afternet. If you have used Afternet to visit #genealogyforum, there is nothing new to do except join #hudfam and not #genealogyforum. If you have never connected to any server except StarlinkIRC here are the step by step instructions for connecting to Afternet.
First under mIRC Setup use the arrow and see if Afternet is already listed. If not, here is how to add the Afternet server.
Under mIRC Setup click on ADD
Next to description enter Afternet:US, OR, Portland
Next to Irc Server enter Agora.Afternet.org
Next to Part enter 6667
Next to Group enter Afternet
Click OK
You are now ready to join the chat on the Afternet server. Just sign on, find #hudfam and click join. See you there. Just as with Starlink, Afternet has several locations. If you can't sign on with one usually another location will work. Sometime this caused by the weather or there is an equipment problem. Here are the other locations if you would like to add them.
Of the six steps above only two will change, description and server.
DESCRIPTION - SERVER
Ashland, Wi, USA - ASP.AfterNET.Org
Dallas, TX, USA - Crypto.AfterNet.Org
London, England, UK - DigitalD.UK.AfterNET.Org
Amsterdam, Netherlands - Frodo.AfterNET.Org
Vancouver,British Col. - Infinet.AfterNET.Org
Charleston, W.Virginia - Newwave.AfterNET.Org
Ruston, LA,USA - Scorpion.AfterNET.Org
San Jose, CA, USA - Storm.AfterNET.Org
REMEMBER You can always find step by step instruction at http://www.rare.on.ca/users/genealogyforum/index.htm
See you at 9:30 at the Hudnall Chat
Directions on installing mIRC
by Roger Johnson
Hello, I have been asked to help those of you that want to use the mIRC software in
accessing the Hudnall Chat Room. You can also use the software to access any other
chat room. You may want to print this information so as to have it handy. You
also should read this through COMPLETELY so as to be somewhat familiar with the steps
involved before attempting them. There are several steps involved, and will try and
list them in as simple manner as possible. If I miss anything or this does not work
for you, please feel
free to contact me at [email protected]
1. The first step is finding and downloading the software. At the same time,
you must decide where you want to put the file as it is being downloaded. You can
accept the defaults, or if experienced enough, you can download the software to another
directory or folder that you have for that
purpose.
2. There are, I am sure, several places to get the mIRC software. The best
place is of course, the home of the mIRC software. The URL or address is http://www.mirc.com. Using your web browser, you
would put this information in your address or to line, then hit the "enter"
button on the keyboard.
This should take you to the site.
3. Once at the site, you will be presented with a screen, with a map of the world.
The screen asks "Where are you From?". Just below the map of the
world are several links (in blue). When you point to one of them with the mouse, it
becomes a hand with a finger pointing. "Point" to USA, then left click the
mouse. This will take you to another site or page. At this site, point at
"Download mIRC V5.41" and left click the mouse button. Now, you need to
decided which file you will need. Depending on the Operating system
you are using on your PC, will depend on which link you will need to access. If you have
Win '95 or Win '98, point at "Windows 95" and left click the mouse button.
If you have Windows 3.1 or Windows 3.11, point at "Windows 3.11" and left
click the mouse button. This will take you to another part of the page, where you
will pick a site to download the file. Find one closest to you, point at it, then
left click the mouse button.
4. This will pop up a window asking if you want to "Save to Disk" or
"Open the File". there should be a button or dot in the "Save to
Disk". Left Click the mouse on "OK". This will pop up another
window asking where you want to save the file. One thing that is important at this
time is to note the name of the file and where the download process is putting the file.
Write it down if it will help you remember. You will need this information later.
If you are unfamiliar with changing the location for the file, accept the defaults
and click on "OK". The file you requested will now start downloading.
Depending on what speed you are accessing the internet, this will take several
minutes to an hour (or possibly more). So, at this point, you can go to the
bathroom, get a drink or chat with your spouse until the download finishes.
5. The file will come to you as an ".EXE" file. This means that it
is an executable file - or in simple terms, it means when you access or double click on
the file, it will do something. After the download process has finished, find the
file (you can use the "Find" feature under "Start" and
"Find") - it may have downloaded to your desktop and will be presented with an
icon. In any case, after you find the file (you wrote the name down, right?), point
at it with your mouse pointer and left double click on the file. This will expand
the file and start the installation process (be sure and write down the directory or
folder the file is being expanded to - if presented). In case the installation
process does not start, find a file called "Install.exe" or
"setup.exe". Be careful at this point. If you use the
"Find" feature mentioned earlier, you may find several of these files. Be
certain that you pick the correct file at this point. Normally, the installation
process will start and you will not need to find the Install or Setup files.
6. During the installation process you may be presented with several screens asking
for input. You will be asked for a directory name of where to put the files.
Just accept the default by clicking on "OK" or "Next". At the end of
the installation process, you may be asked if you want to read the program notes or help
file. This is up to you, so am not going to tell you to do that, or not to, that is
your choice. The installation process will also create a set of icons used to start
the program and add a program group to Windows 3.1(1) or will add the appropriate entry
into the Win '95 (98) "Start", "Programs" menu.
7. The next step is to start the mIRC program. Locate the icon associated with mIRC, left click or double click (depending on operating system) the mouse button to start mIRC.
8. You will be presented with an icon of the developers picture and asking you to
register the program. You can register (pay for) the program later if you so desire.
You have a 30 day grace period to decide if you want to keep the program. You
must close this window by clicking on the "x" in the upper right corner (in Win
95/98) or go to "File/Close" in Win 3.1(1). After closing this window, you will
be presented with another window with multiple tabs - IRC Servers; Local Info; Options;
Identd; and Firewall.
9. Presently, the only one we will be concerned with is the one labeled "IRC
Servers". If this tab is not open, then left mouse click on this tab to open
it. You will notice at the bottom of the window a few blanks. Please fill out the
blanks with pertinent information. In the blanks labeled "nickname" and
"alternative", put in a nickname or handle that you would like others to know
you by. When you join a chat room, this is what will show up on the screen to
others. You can use your real name or any name (as a nickname) you choose. Use
different names in the two spaces. If someone else is one of them, the system will
use the other.
Now comes the fun part.
10. Now that you have filled in the blanks, just above where you filled in the
blanks, you will see a window with lots and lots of server names. If you left click
with your mouse on the down (or up) arrow button, you can scroll through a list of
servers. These are listed alphabetically, so scroll through the list until you find
an entry listed as "STARLINKIRC (followed by a town/state name)". This is
the server we are using. Please
be sure and pick one with the "IRC" at the end as there are several
"Starlink" servers. The best one to use would be the one in Atlanta, Ga,
but if you cannot access it, any of the "STARLINKIRC" servers will work.
Again, just make sure it says "STARLINKIRC". To pick one of the
STARLINKIRC servers, point at it with your mouse pointer and left click the mouse.
This will highlight the server name. At this point, left mouse click on the button
"Connect to IRC Server". This will "log" you onto the IRC server
you picked. If for some reason you get an error message, or you cannot log onto this
particular server, go back to the screen that lists the servers and pick another
STARLINKIRC server and try again.
11. After logging onto the server, you will presented with a window asking which
chat room you want to access. You can pick one from the list, but at this point, in
the blank type in "#hudfam" (without quotes but you must put in the #) all
in small letters. If you click on the "ADD" button at this time, it will
add the entry to the list. The next time you want to access the #hudfam chat room,
just pick or highlight the hudfam entry. At this point after putting in #hudfam (or
selecting it from the list after adding it), just hit the "enter" key or your
keyboard. This should access the Hudnall Family Chat room.
12. At this point you will be presented with a screen in three parts. If the
screen is not full screen on your monitor, make it so at this time. The largest part
of the screen is where you will see what is being said and who said it. On the right
is another part of the screen that shows the nicknames (nick for short) of who else is in
the chat room. If you are the only one there, you will see only your nick and
probably one other. The
other name is actually the server monitor that is in all the chat rooms on STARLINKIRC.
On the bottom of the window is a small area (the blinking cursor should be there)
where you would type a response, questions or
whatever to enter into the main screen for all to see.
13. After looking over the screen, type something like HI and hit the enter key.
You will notice that your nick and the word HI will appear on the main screen.
All logged onto the chat room is able to see this and you will probably get a
response. Anything you want to put out for all the others to see is typed in at the
bottom of the screen (then hit the enter key on the keyboard).
Basically, that is it. this should be you started. Jump in, don't be afraid of
saying anything. Don't be afraid of mis-spelling something. We all do that.
Ask questions, join in the conversation and above all else -
have fun. We are all here to help you in your genealogy search for the Hudnall
family, help each other out however we can and above all else enjoy life.
Please do not be afraid to ask questions. And, they do not have to be about Hudnall
genealogy or Hudnall research. If you are having PC troubles, problems with the mIRC
program, or whatever, ASK ASK ASK! We all have different levels of expertise and
will do our best to help you out.
You may be asked to identify yourself. By that I mean your real name, where you are
at, and what your affiliation is to the Hudnall Family. Answer how you feel best.
We are not being nosey, just wanting to know who we are talking to and if we can
provide you with assistance.
14. Last but not least. When you want to exit the chat room, but close the
window and exit the program. It is that simple.
Nothing to it...
Updated: June 12, 1999
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