So there I was, bored at work, (not really bored, but I had some time to kill) browsing the Lusenet forums. FRL it says on the list, and I'm thinking, hey I know those guys.

Being a Mac user I, of course, have never visited the famous FRL chat but don't think I haven't tried.

It is goddamned good to see yo

-- semper paratus (llmcl@go.com), June 09, 2000

Answers

Hey Semper! Were you flooded out last week? (If you recall, I'm practically down the street from you.) I just finished "vacuuming" my lawn yesterday.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), June 09, 2000.

Hi semper! Have you ever tried IRC? Much better chat software, and Mac friendly!

Go to IRCle and download 3.0.4

OK, here's some instructions we got long ago from another ListServ, modified [for Macs] for current situation:

IRC is a program for accessing Internet Relay Chat (IRC) just like Netscape or IE is for accessing web pages.

IRC is text chat that is NOT done through the web - which usually makes it faster and more flexible.

Choose one of the AfterNet servers nearest you. This page helps you see which one to choose.

After that, type /join #tb2k
(don't forget the /)

That puts you in the tb2k chatroom (called a "channel" on IRC).

This is for Mac users:

http://www.ircle.com/

<< Let's dive right in:

First, if you haven't already, go to http://www.ircle.com and download the latest version of ircle (just follow the Download link). Unstuff it, then open the program.

If you haven't used it before or it isn't registered yet, you'll probably get a registration box. Register now or ignore it (you should probably go ahead and register eventually though).

You should then get four windows that show up: Console, Inputline, Userlist and Connections. Let's take each one step by step:

Console- this is where the server information shows up, all the stuff that tells you what the server is doing, if you've connected successfully, etc. You don't type in this window, it is purely information.

Inputline- this is where you type in commands and what you want to say to people.

Userlist- this shows you who else is on a channel with you.

Connections- this is probably the most important box. You do need to take time and configure it, but once you've configured it, you pretty much don't have to touch it again.

Let's setup your connections now:

In the Connections window you'll see that you can configure ten possible connections (that is if you want to use different usernames and different servers). But right, now we only need one. Click on the first "ircleuser" and then click on the Edit... button. You should now be looking at a window called "Connection Preferences" that has three tabs under it Identity, Autoexec, and Misc./TCP. You only need to fiddle with Identity.

First, choose a server. Click the Select button and select one of the AfterNet servers. Not all of them work all the time. Some of my favorite servers are ______________ and ____________. If you don't see those in your server list, click the Add... button and type them into the Server Name box. Leave the port box at ________, and be sure to choose AfterNet from the Network list.

Next, fill in your nickname and usernames. They can be anything you like; however, if there is someone else logged on who already has the same name that you want, you won't be allowed to use that name.

The Real Name box can be anything, too. It doesn't have to be your real name. Pick a name or phrase that will allow your friends to know that it is really you who's logged on.

Leave everything else as you see it. Click the OK button when you are done.

We're almost done, setting up the basics. Just one more thing:

>From the File menu, select Preferences... . You'll see a lot of tabs, click on the one that says CTCP. Put checks in the boxes next to "CTCP flood protection" "Show ICMP echo requests" and "Show CTCP requests". This will prevent you from getting "flooded" with requests (this is something that people can do if they want to mess you up so you can't communicate... - it's a bad thing). Click OK when done.

There are other things you can do to set things up to your liking, but those are the basics. Now all you have to do is click the Connect button in the Connections window and watch the server messages until it's done. Next type /join #tb2k in the Inputline box and press RETURN (the slash is important). You should now be connected to #tb2k, ready to chat!

That should cover the basics. There is lots of useful help thingies at the ircle homepage. Try:

http://www.ircle.com/other.html

You can also do a search at Yahoo! for some irc tutorials and newbie help sites (just disregard non-Mac specific info.). E-mail if you need more help. I'm not an expert with irc, but I manage to get by. :)

Hope this helps,

M-----------

<< Once you type in /join #tb2k a new window will automatically open called "#tb2k". You'll be able to see what people are typing in that window. >>

<< In order to register you'll need to get a registration number first. To find out how to do that click on "Help" in your menu bar and select Registering. That will tell you how to pay (only Mac users pay $15 after 30 days, but even then you don't have to), etc. >>

<< Go up to "Windows" on your menu bar and select Console, Users, and Connections. The windows should show up after you select each one. >>

If you've got the "#tb2k" window showing you are in great shape!

<< Are any people's names in red? If they are that means they are channel operators. Channel operators control the channel - they can kick people out if they are misbehaving, etc. Channel operators are not always actual people, though. They are somtimes what we call "bots". Bots are just what they sound like. Sort of like robots that can provide information or guard the channel.

You cannot see what people have been typing. You only can see what people are typing after you have joined the channel. >>

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 09, 2000.

Hey Semper, good to see you! We dont tell anyone we're here, because it's much more fun to watch people stumble in accidently, especially when they trip over the furniture on the way in. As far as Lusenet goes,..we're getting to be right up there with such high traffic forums as "Elevator Problem Discussions" and "Maine Coon Cats Forum". We dream of the day we can stand tall among the all time greats, like "Monster Rancher" and "ER Discussions".

Keep posting..it will boost our standings in the Lusenet race! :-) I hear Greenspun gives out prizes to the top three forums...The first and third place forums got an early retirement, and the Second place forum will be receiving a lovely Pen and Pencil set upon reaching the 35k message level.

FRL Friends, when we reach the 1200 message level, gets to pick from several lovely prizes. The Faux-pearl necklace and earrings set, a zippered nylon tote bag, or the LumiDriver Lighted Bit Driver (great for those hard to see work areas). I can't wait!!

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), June 09, 2000.

PS - Hey Brooks and Semper - Can I come visit you guys in Mass. one weekend? I'm feeling really left out not being able to go to the BIG picnic. Can we have our own mini shindig? I would so love to have a reason to go on a bit of a road trip!

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), June 09, 2000.

Hey, Kritter, any time! And if Mom finds you amusing PLEASE stay awhile! You are even welcome to take plants back to NJ with you. But thought you were busy right now watching the Devils win (or is it lose, I can't tell the difference).

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), June 09, 2000.

Phil G gives out prizes??? the same stupid prick who killed the forum for no-real reason on the forum's biggest day?? F**K him! :)

And BTW, he looks like an even geekier version of George Castanza, but with great big clown feet.

(and no, this is not just multi-millionaire-MIT-professor-envy.)

-- number six (!@!.cu), June 16, 2000.

Ahem, HEY SEMPER...you found us, we know it, so now if you don't post a message once in awhile...we'll KNOW you are intentionally ignoring us, and we'll all be hurt, and cry..and it will all be your fault.

Six, Greenspun is a good guy, and I was mad at him too when that happened and I was wrong. Since that time, I've read a lot about him, read a lot BY him, and have to say I really never knew who he was or what he was about. He's nothing like you might think. He really is just a nice guy. Try reading through his site sometime.

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), June 18, 2000.