When you click Connect there will be a delay of between one and two minutes while the server you are connecting to tries to ident your client. This is normal and you should just sit tight.

It's an applet (miniature program) written in Java, that allows you to access an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) network, irc.quakenet.org, from your web browser. This means you can chat to other people in real-time, some of whom will also be using this applet on this site.

You will need a version 1.3 or greater Java plugin for your browser. If you don't have it, you will be prompted to download and install it when the applet loads. You can also download the plugin from http://java.sun.com .

Enter a unique nickname for yourself in the "Nickname" box at the top of the window and hit Connect. If you are logged in as a user of this site, your username will automatically be entered in the Nickname box. If not, your username will be shown as something like "CPuser%%%" where the "%" signs represent a random number. If you change the nickname to one of your choice, try to keep it unique, as there may be someone on the network already using that nickname. If that is the case, you will be informed and asked for a new nick.

Once the applet is connected it will automatically join the #killshoot channel of the server. This belongs to a partner site of Cafe Porcupine, The -]KillShoot[- Clan. I would have set up a channel especially for Cafe Porcupine but I thought that since this channel already existed it would make more sense to use it :) . To send a message to the active channel, type it in the box at the bottom of the applet window and hit Enter or click Send.

Type messages into the chat box at the bottom of the window and press Enter or click Send to send. As well as standard messages there are other commands you can use. These are typed into the chat box as normal, but make sure you include the slash (/) at the beginning of each one.
Here are some commands you will find useful:
/me something   This command makes your message appear in the third-person. Instead of appearing as
<nickname> waves your message will appear as
*** nickname waves. Using this command you can add a little fun to your messages.
/nick Something   This changes your nickname to Something, provided that nickname is not already in use.
/whois Nickname   This will do a "whois" lookup on Nickname and provide you with some information about that person.
/slap Nickname   This will send a /me message to the channel you are on, saying something like "*** [your nickname] slaps Nickname about a bit with a large trout". This is a long-time IRC joke, and the slap message varies from client to client. Of course, you can always create your own by using the /me command.

You can also use /msg to send private messages (queries) to users. You can also get access to the Whois, Query (private message) and Slap functions by clicking a user's name in the channel userlist (on the right) and then rightclicking. You will then be shown a menu of these three functions.

There are two possible causes of this: firstly, you may be behind a firewall that is blocking the applet. If you are on a school network this is probably the case if the applet isn't working. Secondly, your browser may not be set to allow Java applets access to the Internet. This is unlikely, however, unless you have specifically instructed your browser not to allow it. Either way, the applet will not be able to work on your machine.

Well firstly, before I list the things, I should warn you that you shouldn't mess around or try and cause havok on any IRC server|channel whilst using this applet. This applet is running on your machine, not mine, and so any actions of yours will be traceable to you. The applet connects straight from your machine to the IRC server. So be warned.

That said, things you should not do are thus:

• Repeatedly spam channels or users with messages.
• Disrespect channel operators (denoted by the "@" in front of their nickname) - this will probably result in you being kicked or banned from that channel.
• Break the rules of the IRC server you are connecting to. These rules are shown as you connect to the server and can be found in the Status window once you have connected. These typically include things like racism/nazism, abuse or distribution of illegal material. The last bit will not be possible for you, as this applet does not support file sends. It is up to you to read the AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) of the server you are connecting to.

Before you complain to me about your being banned from a channel or a server, remember that I have no responsibility for your actions and that anything you do is your decision.