Here we'd like to show you how to configure the IRC-client: mIRC. The screenshots were made on a machine running Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installed on it. The version of mIRC was 6.31. The description for every image is below it.

First you have to download mIRC. You can do that by going to: http://mirc.com/get.htm clicking on "Download mIRC", and again on the second page, and saving the file to your computer.

Double click on the downloaded file to run it. The above window should appear. (If you are using Windows Vista you may have to allow the programme to be started the first time around)

Click on "Next“.
 

If you want to install mIRC you have to accept its licence. To do this click on "I Agree“.

Here you can where you want mIRC to be installed.  Unless you want to change it, just click on "Next".
 

Here you can choose which components you want to install. We recommend you remove the tick next to "Servers List"
To continue click on "Next“.

Just leave the recommendation and click on "Next“.

Here you can choose if you want to make a backup of an old mIRC installation or you want a Link from your Desktop to mIRC. These options are up to you, take your pick and then click "Next".

mIRC shows a summary of your decisions. If you are happy with these options, click on "Install". If not, go back and change anything you are unhappy with. 

When the installation is finished this window is shown. Choose "Run mIRC" and click on "Finish".

Although it states that mIRC may only be use for 30 days, it is still fully functionable after this time. Just wait 30 seconds, and then click "Continue“.
 

At first startup mIRC shows a configuration window.

For enhanced privacy please do not enter your full name where is says "Full Name“, just use your nickname because this field could be seen by everyone on IRC, and even Scouting Networks are not entirely safe from outsiders. Where it says "Email Adress“  you do not need to enter your real mail address, and this field is not available for the general public to view.

Your nickname is the name people will know you by when you join IRC. Remember that there are many 'Scouting' users on ScoutLink , so it's possible that someone might already be using the nickname you've chosen, so you should try to pick something unique. You can enter an alternative nickname as well in case someone is using your first nickname. If both nicknames are in use, mIRC inserts "/nick" into the edit box so that all you have to do is enter a new nickname and press enter.

Invisible Mode: (Optional) If you turn on the invisible mode switch, people will not be able to find you on IRC unless they already know your nickname, or if you join a channel or talk to them privately. (Most of us leave invisible mode off).

Once you have got this far, do not click on "OK"; change to the "Servers" tab.
 

Click on "Add“

Enter the data in this window like in the Screenshot. You can enter any server from the ScoutLink server list, but most people use chat.scoutlink.net (not de01.scoutlink.net, as in the screenshot).  When you are ready click on "Add“
 

A new folder has now appeared called "Scoutlink". Double click on "Scoutlink" in this window then click on "OK".

Here you see how it shoud look like, at the left there is a list of networks and channels you are connected to, on the right there is the "Server-Window".
You are not connected to Scoutlink at the moment. To connect click on the yellow lightning bolt at the top left of the screen. This should connect you to the ScoutLink network.

If you see a message pop up similar to the one above, click "Do not block" to stop your firewall blocking the connection.

At first startup,  a list with a lot of channels shows up. These channels are not availlable at ScoutLink. If you don't want to see this list at every startup, remove the tick from "Pop up favorites on connect".

Once you have done this, click on "Add“.

Please fill in everything as you see it in the window, but replacing the channel name with "#english", and the Description with "English Channel" or whatever you want to call it. After doing that click on "OK“.

The English Channel (or whatever you named it) should now be in the list. Click on it once to mark it and then click on "Join".

You should now have joined the #english channel. (This screenshot shows the german,  by the way). On the left you see the ooverview of channel and networks you are connected to, in the middle you see the channel chat window, and on the right you see a list of all participants in the channel.

To send a message to the channel type what you want to say on the line at the bottom, and click the "Enter" key to send.

You will see that you have two windows open on mIRC, the #english window and the Server window. If you click on the Server window tab, anything you type will not be sent to the #english channel anymore, but you can do other things. More information can be found at the IRC HowTo.