The Recovery Group has over 60 online meetings and recovery talks each week. The full weekly meeting schedule can be found at http://recovery.hiwaay.net//support/meetings.html. Our meetings are in our own Internet Relay Chat Room (IRC). To go to a meeting, first you have to get the IRC software your computer needs from the Internet. It's called "downloading" it off the Internet. Below are directions for downloading and using IRC software for Windows computers, Macs, and Web TV. Print out this page, look for your computer type, and follow the steps as carefully as you can. If you run into trouble or need extra help, email our Technical Support Trusted Servant at recoverytech@mail.com. We will be happy to help you figure out what is going wrong!

IRC FOR WINDOWS

Windows computers use software called mIRC. First you need to download mIRC.

1. Start up your web browser (Netscape, Internet Explorer, AOL, or iCab) and go to http://www.mirc.com/
   
2. On the left side, in the blue list of links, find Download mIRC and click on it.
   
3. In the list of places to download mIRC 5.8(32 bit, for Windows 95, 98, 2000 and Windows NT) find the place that is closest to you and click on it. As soon as you do, it should start to download immediately. You'll see it downloading in a little box on your computer screen. If you get a message asking you to Get Info, Save, View, or Cancel, click Save or Save to disk.
   
4. When the download box shows that the download is finished, you can close your web browser.
   
5. Now you need to find the mIRC program you just downloaded. It will be called mirc58t.exe. You might find its icon in the Main group in Windows or under the 'Start' button, under 'Programs'. Or it might be inside a "download" folder inside your web browser's folder. If you can't find it quickly, open the Windows File Manager or Explorer to see all the files on your hard disk.
   
6. Double click on the mirc58t.exe icon. It will start to install. Click "I Agree" and OK to any questions that might come up, and watch it install.
   

You're done downloading and installing mIRC! Now you have the software you need. You're halfway there!

Next, you need to learn how to use mIRC. The first time is the hardest because you have to find a StarChat server and type in all your information. After that it's really easy. There are 3 basic steps for using mIRC.

1. OPEN MIRC:
   • Double click on mIRC to open it
     
   • Click in the line "Licensed To"
     
   • Close the little Registration window

2. CONNECT TO A STARCHAT SERVER:
   • On the Server line scroll down to "StarChat: Random server" or to (any StarChat server you see in your list)
     
   • Type in your name, your nickname, and your email address
     
   • Click on "Connect to IRC Server"

3. JOIN THE #RECOVERY CHANNEL:
   • In the top line, type this exactly:
     

     #Recovery (without a space between # and Recovery)

   • Click on Join

Wait a few seconds and you'll be taken straight into our online meeting room in a new box where you can see people having a conversation. Type in the little box at the bottom, and hit enter to send your words to the chat room. That's all it takes to join the conversation!

IRC FOR MACS

Macintosh computers use software called Ircle. First you need to download Ircle.

1. Start up your web browser (Netscape, Internet Explorer, AOL, or iCab) and go to http://www.ircle.com/download.shtml
   
2. Wait for a few minutes and Ircle will automatically begin to download. You'll see it downloading in a little box on your computer screen. If for some reason it doesn't begin to download within a few minutes, click on the words "If your download does not start automatically, Click here."
   
3. Wait for several minutes while Ircle downloads.
   
4. When the download box shows that the download is finished, you can close your web browser.
   
5. Now you need to find the Ircle program you just downloaded. It will be called ircle 3.0.4 US.sea. You might find it on your desktop or on your hard drive. If you can't find it quickly, click once on your desktop, then pull down the File Menu to Find and type in "ircle".
   
6. When you find Ircle, double-click on it to open and install the program.
   • Click "Continue"
     
   • Click "Desktop"
     
   • Click on your hard drive in the list of files
     
   • Click "Open"
     
   • Click "Save". This will save Ircle to your hard drive.
     

You're done downloading and installing Ircle! Now you have the software you need. You're halfway there!

Next, you need to learn how to use Ircle. The first time is the hardest because you have to find a StarChat server and type in all your information. After that it's really easy. There are 3 basic steps for using IRCLE.

1. OPEN IRCLE:
   • Double click on your hard drive to open it, then double click on the Ircle file.
     
   • Find the little globe icon called "ircle 3.0.4 US" and double click on it.
     

2. CONNECT TO A STARCHAT SERVER:
   • Pull down the Windows Menu to Connections and a new Connections window will open up.
     
   • Click the Server button.
     
   • In the list of servers find StarChat on the right, then scroll down to find First.OH.US.StarChat.Net on the left. Click once on this server to highlight it.
     
   • Click the Select button in the top right corner.
     
   • Go back to your Connections box and click once on your new StarChat server in the list of servers.
     
   • Click the Edit button at the bottom. A new little box will open up.
     
   • Type in the nickname you want to use and anything else you want. The nickname is the most important item.
     
   • Click OK.
     
   • Go back to your Connections box and click Connect at the bottom. Wait a few seconds while you get connected to the server.

3. JOIN THE #RECOVERY CHANNEL:
   • Go to the Commands Menu and pull down to Join. A new little window will open up.
     
   • On the second line, Channel, type this exactly
     

     #Recovery (without a space between # and Recovery)
     

   • Click OK
     

In a few seconds and you'll pop into our online meeting room in a new box where you can see people having a conversation. Type in the little box at the bottom, and hit enter to send your words to the chat room. That's all it takes to join the conversation!

When you want to quit, go to the File menu and pull down to Quit. When it asks you if you want to save your preferences, click Yes. That way you won't have to go through most of these steps the next time you come to the Recovery Chat room. It will save your server and your nickname, so you just click connect next time. Then when you want to join it will remember the name of the Recovery Room.

IRC FOR WEBTV

To access meetings on WebTV:

1. Go to the Web TV home page.
   
2. Click on Community.
   
3. Then click on: Live Chat.
   
4. Next click on: Go To
   
5. Then enter a server and a room name.
   
   • Server: beavis.starchat.net
     
   • Room: recovery
     

Once you are in the room you can push save on your keyboard. Go to your favorities, and set a shortcut so you just push one key on the keyboard and it will automatically take you to the room.

AOL MEETINGS IN STEPPING STONES

AOL members can access all the IRC Recovery Meetings, or if you are a total beginner using AOL, you can go to quick and easy AOL meetings in our Stepping Stones room. For directions on how to go to Stepping Stones meetings on AOL, go to http://recovery.hiwaay.net/support/aolmeetings.html.

HELP! I CAN'T GET INTO A MEETING!

If you have any trouble getting to an online meeting or following these directions, don't hesitate to email our Technical Support Trusted Servant, at recoverytech@mail.com. Tell us what kind of computer you use, which program you are trying to download, and what went wrong at what stage in the process. We will be happy to help you figure out what's wrong!

Back to Top	Meeting Schedule	Recovery Home
Email: Meeting CoCoordinator	Installing MIRC Instructions	Technical Page

© Copyright 1999-2000 THE RECOVERY GROUP All rights reserved.