Chat: How to Connect
This page explains how to get started with SABRE Chat.

There are two ways to access the SABRE Chat room. You can either use the Mibbit interface, which is accessible to almost any computer through a web browser (handy if you're at a public computer), or you can use special IRC software, which gives you a more advanced and customisable interface. The latter method is recommended for advanced IRC users who like to chat on several channels simultaneously.

There is also a Java chat interface, which requires Java to be installed, but otherwise will also work in a web browser.

If you're happy to use a web interface, go to the Chat Online page - otherwise read on!

1	Download MIRC from www.mirc.co.uk (select open rather than save as it self-installs). This program is shareware - you don't have to pay to use it straight away, but you should pay to register it if you use it regularly. NB: Other programs are available, we just recommend MIRC. You could try Xchat or Conversation for the Mac.
2	Fill in the "full name" & "email" fields in the Options box that comes up (do not use your full name in either case: "me" is sufficient for the full name box & "me@me.com" is sufficient for email).
3	Think of a nickname and an alternative - if one is in use it will default to the other one. The roads related nicks that many people use in the Forums don't tend to be very popular so you should be OK with those (you cannot start a nick with a number however, only end with one; no spaces either).
4	Select "AfterNET: Random Server" as your IRC network (non-MIRC users may need to manually enter "irc.afternet.org"). Either select a server manually from the drop down list, or select random server. Hit "Connect to IRC Server".
5	Once all the scrolling nonsense has finished (can take a few seconds), type /join #sabre - or type #sabre in the server list box - and you should be in. Do not forget the / before the command otherwise you won't get anywhere!

The channel is "secret" and cannot be found on searches by outsiders, so we won't get invaded by spammers or any other undesirables, rest assured... and if someone does get through, the chat moderators have the power to kick and ban them to stop them coming back. They even has an automatic script that will do this if no chat moderator is there.

Good luck, and hope to see you in there soon!