IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is a way of communicating in real time with people from around the world. It consists of separate networks of IRC servers, the largest being EFnet (the original IRC net) often serving more than 50,000 people at one time.

I have put together a mini-version of the Miranda IM (Instant Messanger) ready to connect to DreamingOfHeaven's IRC channel. This IRC client is portable which means there is nothing to install!

Download the zip file and extract it. Open the miranda_irc folder and click the "miranda" file

then close the folder. You should see a small "Miranda IM" window. If not look in your system tray and click on the little-gray-man icon.

In the Miranda IM window click on the red and yellow Miranda icon and a menu will appear. Select "IRC" then "Quick Connect". Server name EFnet: US, TX, Dallas (Blessed) should already be selected.

Press the Connect button then wait a minute or two. Once you are connected the system tray icon will turn green and blue. If the server is busy and the connection fails go back to Quick Connect and try again or select another server.

Once you have connected to the Efnet network click the red and yellow Miranda icon again. This time select IRC then "Join a channel". Click the dropdown arrow and select #DreamingOfHeaven then press the OK button.

Give it a minute or so and a chat room window will appear stating you have joined #DreamingOfHeaven. Type your message in the bottom window and press the green check-mark button to send.

These basic instructions will get you started using Miranda IM as an IRC client but keep in mind it is actually an open-source multi protocol instant messenger client for Microsoft Windows.

Miranda includes support for AIM, Jabber, ICQ, IRC, MSN, Yahoo, Gadu-Gadu and more. Additionally, with the choice of hundreds of plugins, icons, sounds and other content, Miranda IM gives you the ability to modify, customize and extend functionality to make it your own. Visit the Miranda IM website for more details.