I'm wrote this how-to for the first time in 2001, after going through the process of helping several friends set up mIRC.

To learn how to install mIRC go on to my Configuration section.

What is mIRC? mIRC is a piece of software (client) that you use to connect to an IRC server. This is not the only client available, others for windows include xchat and Pirch.

There are all sorts of things you can do and learn once you have mIRC running, thousands of scripts, bots, and addons you can use with mIRC, it's a whole world of fun for inquisitive users.

Why do I need an IRC client? To connect to IRC servers and chat with friends and new people of course! Some IRC channels offer "java chat" through a browser, but those often lack scripting and filesharing options, and can be quite limiting. It's worth it for even the most inexperienced computer user to learn how to use an actual client if they will be regularly visiting IRC channels.

I got it installed, now where do I go? If you don't have a specific IRC server in mind try using sites such as irc.netsplit.de and searchirc.com to do searches for channels you might be interested in.

Can I use mIRC in Linux? There is no native Linux client for mIRC. I know a few people who claim that it works fine with wine(1), but I have had trouble in the past, and scripts tend to not work as you would expect them to. You might want to try out xchat, KVirc or irssi if you want a linux client.

If you stumbled onto this site as an experienced user of mIRC maybe you'd like to offer some links to good mIRC script sites? Or do you belong to a scripting crew that you'd like to link to my site? Any thoughts or ideas, just drop me a line at lyz@princessleia.com