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The Rustie Chat Managed by Mary the Black Queen Poellinger

1. So what IS this Rustie Chat you speak of???

   Just what IS the Rustie Chat, you ask? It's quite simply an online gathering of Neil Young fans that meets up once (or twice) weekly. No membership is required, no special talents or skills, and there are no dues...the only thing you need is the ability to download the mIRC program.

   A broad range of topics have been discussed in the past, but I assure you some good Neil content can always be found and it's a wonderful opportunity for trading shows.

2. Instructions: How on EARTH do I do this???

   Downloading mIRC should be, for the most part, without hassle. Rustie Roel Obviously Doing Well van Dijk gives us these instructions:

   1. Downloading the program:

      The best way to get mIRC is to download it from the official homepage, www.mirc.com/get.html.
      However, here are two direct download links (subject to change):

      • USA: http://mirc.stealth.net/download/mirc616.exe
      • Europe: ftp://ftp.snt.utwente.nl/pub/software/mirc/mirc616.exe
      Click on 'download' and select 'Save'. It may be most convenient to save the file on your Desktop.

   2. Installation instructions
      • Once you have downloaded the program, click on the file called 'mirc616.exe' on your desktop.
      • Click 'Next' when the opening screen appears.
      • Click 'Yes' to accept the license agreement.
      • Next a screen appears which asks for an installation path for where to install the actual program.
      • You can leave it as it is (C:\mirc) or enter any other path you like (e.g., C:\Program Files\Mirc or D:\mirc).
      • When you have entered the path, click on 'Install'.
      • mIRC will now install itself.
      • When it is done, click 'Finish'.
      • You can now delete the file 'mirc616.exe' from your desktop (or wherever you downloaded it to).

   3. Starting the program

      You can start the program in different ways. The easiest way is to double click on the mIRC icon on your desktop. Another way is to click the Windows Start button -> Programs -> mIRC -> mIRC.

   4. Configuration instructions

      Now we need to configure the program...

      • When you have started mIRC, a window called 'mIRC Options' will pop up. (If it does not, click 'File', then 'Options'.)

      • Select 'EFnet' from the dropdown box next to 'IRC Network'.
      • Then choose the server from the dropdown box which is geographically closest to your location.
      • E.g., select 'EFnet: US, NY, New York' if you live in New York.

      • Enter your full name in the box next to 'Full Name'.
      • Enter your e-mail address in the box next to 'Email Adress'.
      • Enter a nickname in the box next to 'Nickname'. This nickname is the name other chatters will know you by, so you might want to try to choose something similar to your handle from the Rust List (e.g., RE-AC-TOR, BlakQueen) or your real name (JohnDoe, RVanDijk). Note that this nickname can only be nine (9) characters long. You cannot use longer names (as used to be allowed).

   5. Get online!

      Now click on 'Connect to IRC Server' and hopefully you will be connected!

3. Instructions: How on EARTH do I do this on a Mac???

   Download Ircle here: http://www.ircle.com. The program runs on Mac OS 7.0 t o 9.2.x or Mac OS X 10.1 or newer.

4. Where the HECK do I find the Rustie Chat???
   • Once you've connected to the closest EFnet server, a little box called "mIRC Channels Folder" will pop up. If you scroll down, you should be able to find
     #Rusties

   • If you can't find the room in the list, just type the name in on the top and click on "Add". Once you've done this, it should be in the list. Scroll down, find it, click on it, and then hit "Join".

   • The #Rusties room (and all the wonderful people who may or may not be there) should pop up!

   • If you are not connected, please try another server (you can always press Alt-O to try another server).

   • Like most chat rooms, the box on the bottom is for typing your messages and the list of people in the room is on the right.

5. When should I be going???

   The "official" chat time starts at 9PM Eastern/6PM Pacific every Sunday night.

   The 'Euro Chat' is the same day and starts at 4PM Eastern/1 PM Pacific.

   If no one appears to be in there when you come in, hang out for a few minutes. We're likely to start filtering in a bit late. If you can't make either of those times but would like to participate in the chat, feel free to come in on your own time and invite others to come join you.

6. General Trout Precautions and Silliness

   Things can (and have) gotten a little strange in the chat, but it's always a lot of fun. We're a friendly group and we encourage and welcome newbies! The chat can be a wonderful way to get to know some of your fellow Rusties and form new friendships.

Just one warning...watch out for the trout!

Questions? Comments? Email me.

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