To that end, I have put together this quick tutorial on how to used one of our preferred IRC clients, HydraIRC. The concepts in this tutorial should be applicable to other clients like mIRC, but there may be differences. Anyway, here's how to set up and use Hydra, which can be downloaded and installed from here: http://download.cnet.com/HydraIRC/3000- ... 52677.html
When you first open Hydra after installation, you'll be prompted to set up a default identity. This looks more complicated than it is, and the most expedient way to do this is to simply fill in your first name in each box (and remember to click 'Add' when you write in the 'Nick' field). With your identity set, you'll see the following:
In the upper left corner, just under the File and Edit buttons, you'll see a trio of icons called New Server, Connect, and Disconnect:
The easiest method for connecting to the game quickly is to hit the middle button, Connect. You should see the menu below pop up.
Alternatively, you can just type '/server chat.startrekengage.com' in the server status window that displays when you open Hyrdra, as seen in image 2.
Down in the 'URI:' field, type the following: chat.startrekengage.com
It should look like this:
Click 'OK' and you'll be connected to the game's base server. On Hyrdra, the servers Channel List window should open automatically.
Click 'Populate List' to bring up the channels currently active on the server:
Simply double-click on the channel(s) you want to join, and they'll open in new staggered windows. Close the channel list box, and you should see the following:
Minimize the 'Unknown Description' window, and you should be left with your ship's OOC channel and your IC mission channel (NOTE: Be sure to use the MINIMIZE (-) button and not the CLOSE (X) button; closing the 'Unknown Description' window will disconnect you from the server).
To the right of the Connection buttons are the Tile buttons, which will change how your channel windows are stacked.
The first button will leave (or revert) your windows to the staggered position. The second button will tile your windows vertically. The third button will tile them horizontally, which is how I prefer it:
You are now ready to play! All you need to know is a few command lines:
/nick (nameplate) - The /nick command is used to change your display name in the IRC channels. If you set up your identity using our first name, you'll need to use this command to change your display name to your character's name. For example, /nick TAC_Ens_Everyman or /nick CO_Capt_Badass
/join (#channel name) - Use this command if the Channel List window doesn't open, or if you're using something other than Hydra and it's not obvious how to bring up the channel list. You'll also want to use this if you're the first player logging on and your ship's OOC room isn't active. Be sure to use the #! Examples: /join #TitanLounge or /join #ST_MissionRoom1
You should now know everything you need to know about Hyrda or other IRC programs. There are a ton of other buttons and settings we didn't talk about, but for the purposes of playing STE, this is all you need to know. If you still have questions, feel free to PM/Email me and I will answer them to the best of my ability!
