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Internet Relay Chat Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the Gremlins chat room?

The Gremlins chat room is a channel on the IRC (Internet Relay Chat). This room exists to bring figure, anime and science fiction modelers from around the world together to discuss modeling techniques, tips and whatever else comes up. In conjunction with the GREMLINS website, it is the best place to find modelers, sculptors, manufacturers and others to get answers to almost any modeling question you may have.

 

What is IRC

IRC, short for Internet Relay Chat, offers a worldwide multi-user chat network, where people meet to talk in groups, or privately. Lots of people can participate in the real time discussions, and the number of topics covered on IRC is endless.

To connect to IRC you'll need a small chat program like mIRC. mIRC is the shareware IRC chat program made for Windows by Khaled Mardam-Bey. It offers a fast and clean interface to IRC and it is well equipped with options and tools.

 

How do I connect to the Gremlins chat room?

To use the Gremlins chat you have two options. You can access the JAVA based (requires Netscape 3.0 or IE 3.02 or higher) GREMLINS website chat page or by using an IRC client software such as mIRC. Most users on Gremlins use at mIRC.

 

How do I connect using mIRC or other chat software?

The server address for the main Gremlins area is IRC.GREMLINS.COM. This is the same as using the chat page that is part of the GREMLINS website. To configure mIRC to access this site do the following -

  1. Click on File
  2. Click on Setup
  3. Click ADD
  4. Type Gremlins Chat for the description and press the TAB key
  5. Type IRC.GREMLINS.COM for the server address and press ENTER
  6. Enter the address into the textbox
  7. DO NOT ENTER your real name - use your online nickname
  8. DO NOT ENTER your email address. Use anon@somewhere.com. This is due to the fact that others can use software to determine your e-mail address and possibly harass you with unwanted e-mail.
  9. Enter your online nickname
  10. Enter an alternate name...usually your nickname with a 01 appended i.e. NAME01
  11. Click on Connect Invisible – this will keep others from tracking where you are on IRC.
  12. Click on Connect To Server

Once you get to the server you will see a welcome screen. Type the following

/JOIN #GREMLINS

and press ENTER. You will be connected to the Gremlins chat.

Other chat programs have similar setups. Please review your software. Most users on Gremlins use mIRC.

 

How can I hear and play sounds?

To hear sounds mIRC is very easy. Do the following-

  1. Click on File
  2. Click on Options
  3. Click on the Sounds tab
  4. Click on Accept Sound Requests (a check mark will appear)
  5. Click on OK.

You must already have a sound clip on your computer to hear the sound. If you don’t you have 2 options –

  1. Request the player of the sound send it to you using mIRC (or other software)
  2. Download a package like ULTRAWAVE from http://www.winsite.com/. This package will play and request any sound clips that are used during a chat session. This package is designed to work directly with mIRC.

The easiest way to play sounds is using a package like like ULTRAWAVE from http://www.winsite.com/

 

What do I do if the Gremlins server fails?

Unfortunately the Gremlins Chat server does fail. You will notice that no one seems to be saying anything for about a minute or so (with this group that is quite impossible). If you are using mIRC do the following -

  1. Click on File
  2. Click on Disconnect
  3. Click on Setup
  4. Scroll through the list of servers until you find the nearest EFNET server. Try to pick a server close to your location.
  5. Click on Connect To Server
  6. You will get a bunch of login garbage. Ignore this and type

    7. /JOIN #GREMLINS and press ENTER

  7. You will be switched to the Gremlins channel

In some situations you may find that your chosen nickname is in use. If you are using mIRC do the following -

  1. Click on Commands
  2. Click on Change Nickname
  3. When prompted type in your new nickname and press ENTER.
  4. Attempt the connection again.

 

There are alternate channels available in case we get stuck. The moderator will inform the group of the alternate area.

 

If I have further questions?

Please feel free to ask. We will attempt to answer any Gremlins chat room questions that you may have. Since this is a volunteer effort please be patient, we will get back to you. Due to time constraints we cannot answer any questions dealing with connectivity issues beyond the Gremlins chat area.

 

 

FAQ compiled and maintained by Jimo01@sprynet.com.

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