1. Double-click the application iconto start Homer;
   
2. After the start-up screen disappears, you will see this connection dialog box:
   
   • If you know of a nearer IRC server to you than the one suggested above, type it's name into the Server Address box, otherwise leave it as it is;
     
     
   • Type in your email address in the User Id box. This isn't absolutely necessary, but it's polite;
     
     
   • Type in your real name in the User Name box;
     
     
   • Think of a name you'd like to be known by whilst on IRC, and type this into the Nickname box. Now you can be your own alter-ego!
     
     
   • Click on the Connect button.

   
   Homer will now attempt to connect to the server...
   
   In the event of a connection attempt failing, you will see a dialog box which will warn you that another attempt will be made in three seconds. If you wish to quit, or choose another server, click the Change Connection Settings button.
   
   

3. You will know when you've got a connection, because the Console window will appear, and the server's welcome announcement will be visible, like this:
   
   
4. Choose New Channel from the File menu, and you will see a dialog box like this:
   
   • Type in the name of the channel you would like to join, including the # symbol at the beginning (this means a public channel), and click the Join button.
     

   

5. You will now see the Message window appear, looking something like this:
   
   This window is where all the communication from other IRC users on the channel will be displayed. You can see in the example above that status information has been displayed. In the first line, the topic is stated; in the second line appears the list of current user's nicknames; the last line is an announcement of a user joining the channel.
   
   The buttons and controls at the top of this window can be ignored for the time being; they are not essential to an IRC session.
   
6. You can see who is 'on channel' at any time by looking at the User List window. Here's one I made earlier...
   
   • User names in red are the channel operators;
     
     
   • Select a name in the list and use the Walking Man button to find out more information about that user;
     
     
   • The Go Offline button marks you as being temporarily away from your terminal, it does not sever your connection;
     
     
   • The Nick button allows you to change your nickname from the one displayed to a new one.

   
   Now move and resize this window to the left of the message window.
   
   

7. The final window you can see is the Input window; move this so it nestles comfortably under the main message window:
   
   • Typing a message in the text area here will send a message readable by all users. Press return to send it;
     
     
   • Clicking the Action button sends the message as an action, rather than a message. You can send grins, sighs, chuckles etc this way;
     
     
   • The name displayed at the bottom left is the one currently selected in the User List window;
     
     
   • Pressing the Link button enables private messages to be sent to (and only seen by) the currently selected user. Click it again to un-link.

   
   

8. Now you can go and enjoy your chat...
   
   
9. To quit Homer,
   
   
   • Choose Close Session from the File menu;
     
     
   • Choose Close IRC Session from the Actions menu;
     
     
     • Click the Close Session button;

     
     

   • Choose Quit from the File menu.
     
     

That's all folks!

John Staplehurst updated: 21/7/97