OK Vicki...try this...

Internet Explorer and Java don't get along. Let's make sure you have the latest version of Java installed from Sun Microsystems.

Clicking the link below will take you to an auto-installer. It will walk you through the process, and you'll probably have to reboot. Once done, give it a shot. If none of them work, try "Tiny", as you should be able to connect at least.

http://java.sun.com/webapps/getjava/Browse...irect?lacale=en

Let me know if it works! (there's a bunch of us in the chatroom now, btw.)

Mike

Any progress on getting in the chat room Victoria?

I have loaded this Java thing. No change at all in the attempt to start the chat function, even with "tiny" or "tunnel" or "html". They all just stop as soon as I try to sign in. Must be my computer.

I've been a tad busy. Sorry for the extremely delayed response.

We need you to get an IRC client. You will be able to get in then.

The client I use is called VisualIRC, and it is free. You can download it by clicking here.

Install it, and then let me know. We'll set the program up, and get you connected.

Let me know how it goes!

Mike

The best IRC client IMO is mIRC.

Yes, mIRC is good as well.

I've had a few problems configuring it behind some firewalls, though (like my firewall). But it is a nice piece of software.

Mike

I did this. Now what?

(keep in mind that I am completely computer illiterate.)

OK, I also use VisualIRC, so I'll give it a shot. When you start the program you should see a row of buttons just under the menu bar, with the one on the left labeled "start"; click that. You should then see yet another row of buttons and other controls under the first row, with a text-entry field on the right. Go to that field and type in "irc.americasdebate.com" then click on the "connect" button on the left. This will connect you to the server, and you should see a whole bunch of text. The first thing you'll probably want to do is set your nickname, which you can do by typing "/nick Victoria_Silverwolf" (or whatever; no spaces allowed in the nickname). Finally, you can join our channel by typing "/join #America's_Debate" and voila!

I sort of vaguely remember that when you first run VisualIRC it puts up an extra screen to define a default nickname, default server, etc. but I can't test that because I've been running it for ages. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me; for even faster response try email.

Platy,

I just wanted to thank you again for your instructions on Visual IRC. I was having some problems logging into the chatroom using VIRC and couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I came back to your directions, followed them completely and as you said - Viola!

Thanks a bunch!!!