How to Setup MIRC

The following instructions are to configure mIRC to connect to ScoutLink on a standard dial up connection to the Internet. ( This help file was written at the time of the release of version 5.6 - So some Screens and Instructions might differ on your Version from those shown )

Download MIRC from http://www.mirc.com/ first and install it by executing the downloaded file.

Start mIRC

A - Click on FILE, then SETUP
The following information is required before you can connect to a server. Fill in the following fields:

REAL NAME: You can enter your real name here, however if you don't feel comfortable at first with doing this, enter something like you 'Scout Group Name' or your 'Home Town Name' ( Most of us at ScoutLink use our real names)

EMAIL ADDRESS: You must enter a full email address eg. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

NICKNAME and ALTERNATIVE:
Your nickname is the name people will know you by when you join IRC.
Remember that there are many 'Scouting' users on ScoutLink , so it's possible that someone might already be using the nickname you've chosen, so you should try to pick something unique. You can enter an alternative nickname as well in case someone is using your first nickname. If both nicknames are in use, mIRC inserts "/nick" into the edit box so that all you have to do is enter a new nickname and press enter.

Invisible Mode: (Optional) If you turn on the invisible mode switch, people will not be able to find you on IRC unless they already know your nickname, or if you join a channel or talk to them privately. (Most of us leave invisible mode off )

B - Click on Add to add a server

 IRC Servers
You can add, edit, and delete servers.

A list of the ScoutLink servers is found on the serverlist in the menu.

Description: Fill in the name of the server

IRC Server: The address of the server  for example chat.eu.scoutlink.net , nl04.scoutlink.net or dk03.scoutlink.net

Port Number: Port number is 6667 or 6668.

Group Name: ScoutLink

Password: Not needed on ScoutLink
 

C - Setting up personal info

Local Info
Your Local Host and IP Address are needed if you want to use the DCC (Direct Computer to Computer) capabilities of mIRC. mIRC will try to look up these values by itself and display them in the Setup dialog. However, if you see the message Unable to resolve Local host or you are unable to initiate DCC sessions, then changing the settings below might help.

Local Host: Leave this box empty and mIRC will try to get your local hostname by itself. However, if mIRC replies with the message Unable to get local hostname then you will have to fill in your local hostname manually. mIRC will then use whatever you have entered to get your IP address...

IP Address: This will normally be filled in by mIRC and is here mainly for your information.
If mIRC is having trouble getting your IP address then you can enter this value manually and mIRC will assume that it is correct. If this value is wrong you will still be able to log on to IRC but you will not be able to initiate DCC Send/Chat sessions (you will only be able to accept them).

On connect, always get...: These options are here because of the different types of internet connections people have. Some people have a fixed Local hostname and IP address, other have a dynamic Local Hostname, others a dynamic IP address, and yet others have both. If you don't know what kind of connection you have, leave both of these checked.

IP Method: If you find that mIRC is not resolving your IP address correctly you might try changing from Normal to Server. With the Server method, mIRC looks up your local host through the IRC Server, and then performs a /dns on it to resolve it to an IP address. The Server method will most likely be slower.
  

D - Connect to Server:

 Your mIRC program will now Connect to the Server the you selected.
When it connects the Server ID and the Message of the Day (MOTD) will appear in the Status window.
You are connected to ScoutLink

Then the IRC Channels Folder will appear ( This is the default setting )

To see what channels ScoutLink has to chat on type /list and hit enter. You will see a list of channels. Double click on one to enter.