The SOD IRC channel is the main source of disseminating information on server status and the like. Before you post asking about whether the server is down, CHECK THE IRC CHANNEL. If you're unsure how to do that, this is the place for you.
First, a disclaimer: I'm no IRC pro. I just know enough to get set up and use the basics, which is what you need to know to keep up with the server status here. Please feel free to chime in with additional information and any changes that need to be made.
The IRC Client
mIRC is a shareware client. It is free to download and use, although after you pass the initial 30-day trial period, there is a delay in logging on from when you first open the program. It's not a big deal.
ChatZilla is Mozilla's IRC addon for Firefox. You must be using a Mozilla based browser to use ChatZilla.
Connecting to the SoD IRC server
Once you've installed your mIRC client, you have to connect to the SoD IRC server. This can be done in the client's options by inputting the server, shardsofdalaya.com, and using the default port (6667), or it can be done in your browser. Just go to the address bar and type in irc://shardsofdalaya.com and hit enter. It'll automatically use the default port as it opens your default IRC client and connects to the server. Some browsers will let you just click on a hotlink for irc://shardsofdalaya.com while others won't.
Connected? Good. If not, see below for how to troubleshoot connection problems.
Joining the #sod channel
Once you're connected, if it's your first time chances are you'll just have a single panel open for the shardsofdalaya.com server. It'll have a bunch of connection crap that you don't need to worry about. Now you want to get into the SoD channel. You can view all of the channels on the shardsofdalaya.com server by typing "/list" in the chat bar and hitting enter. It'll show registered channels. The most crowded one, you'll notice, is #sod. That's where you want to go. Type "/join #sod" and hit enter. You're in. The Message of the Day (motd) will appear - in mIRC it appears as a chat message, while in ChatZilla it's on a panel across the top of the window. This will have the current server status, which is probably what brought you here in the first place.
Other stuff
Set up your chat handle, or nick, by typing "/nick [yourname]", e.g. /nick Hasritt. This'll change your chat handle with the server.
Look for your guild channel. Type /list to see a list of the channels available. Note that if you're using ChatZilla, you have to do this in the server pane, not in any of the channels. If you want to join, for instance, the black hammer mercenary channel, just /join #bhm.
More to come here, I'm sure.
Trouble Connecting?
Ahh yes, the notorious difficulties getting onto IRC. If you can't connect, here are a few steps to take.
1. Disable all programs you have running that might block ports or prevent access to certain applications or ip addresses. This includes but is not limited to:
3. Make sure the ports you're using aren't blocked. This involves setting up port forwarding on your router. Have a look around www.portforwarding.com for detailed instructions. Select your router and the application you're setting it up for, and it'll give you step by step instructions for getting going. Some routers have a DMZ, or DeMilitarized Zone, setting that allows you to reduce security for one or more of the computers on the network and open them up more directly to the internet. This is a simpler way of forwarding ports, if it works. To set it up, you'll need to know your computer's current address. Go to Start > run, and type in "cmd" (without the quotes). Hit enter. It'll bring up the command prompt. Type in "ipconfig /all" and it'll show you the information for each of your network devices. Assuming you're behind a home or small business router, one of them will have an IP Address: line with probably either 192.168.1.XXX or 192.168.0.XXX - that's your local IP addy, and it's what you'll want to use for setting up both DMZ and regular port forwarding. I won't get into setting up a static IP address here.
4. If all of that fails, there are several browser-based chat clients that get around many port restrictions by simply using your web browsing connection. One of them can be found at www.ircatwork.com although it's currently down (8/2/07) while they find new servers to host the program. Hopefully some folks here will chime in with other options.
Please post anything you think should be added.
First, a disclaimer: I'm no IRC pro. I just know enough to get set up and use the basics, which is what you need to know to keep up with the server status here. Please feel free to chime in with additional information and any changes that need to be made.
The IRC Client
mIRC is a shareware client. It is free to download and use, although after you pass the initial 30-day trial period, there is a delay in logging on from when you first open the program. It's not a big deal.
ChatZilla is Mozilla's IRC addon for Firefox. You must be using a Mozilla based browser to use ChatZilla.
Connecting to the SoD IRC server
Once you've installed your mIRC client, you have to connect to the SoD IRC server. This can be done in the client's options by inputting the server, shardsofdalaya.com, and using the default port (6667), or it can be done in your browser. Just go to the address bar and type in irc://shardsofdalaya.com and hit enter. It'll automatically use the default port as it opens your default IRC client and connects to the server. Some browsers will let you just click on a hotlink for irc://shardsofdalaya.com while others won't.
Connected? Good. If not, see below for how to troubleshoot connection problems.
Joining the #sod channel
Once you're connected, if it's your first time chances are you'll just have a single panel open for the shardsofdalaya.com server. It'll have a bunch of connection crap that you don't need to worry about. Now you want to get into the SoD channel. You can view all of the channels on the shardsofdalaya.com server by typing "/list" in the chat bar and hitting enter. It'll show registered channels. The most crowded one, you'll notice, is #sod. That's where you want to go. Type "/join #sod" and hit enter. You're in. The Message of the Day (motd) will appear - in mIRC it appears as a chat message, while in ChatZilla it's on a panel across the top of the window. This will have the current server status, which is probably what brought you here in the first place.
Other stuff
Set up your chat handle, or nick, by typing "/nick [yourname]", e.g. /nick Hasritt. This'll change your chat handle with the server.
Look for your guild channel. Type /list to see a list of the channels available. Note that if you're using ChatZilla, you have to do this in the server pane, not in any of the channels. If you want to join, for instance, the black hammer mercenary channel, just /join #bhm.
More to come here, I'm sure.
Trouble Connecting?
Ahh yes, the notorious difficulties getting onto IRC. If you can't connect, here are a few steps to take.
1. Disable all programs you have running that might block ports or prevent access to certain applications or ip addresses. This includes but is not limited to:
- Antivirus software
- Firewalls (ESPECIALLY Windows Firewall)
- Active spyware prevention software
- Peer-to-peer privacy software (like PeerGuardian)
3. Make sure the ports you're using aren't blocked. This involves setting up port forwarding on your router. Have a look around www.portforwarding.com for detailed instructions. Select your router and the application you're setting it up for, and it'll give you step by step instructions for getting going. Some routers have a DMZ, or DeMilitarized Zone, setting that allows you to reduce security for one or more of the computers on the network and open them up more directly to the internet. This is a simpler way of forwarding ports, if it works. To set it up, you'll need to know your computer's current address. Go to Start > run, and type in "cmd" (without the quotes). Hit enter. It'll bring up the command prompt. Type in "ipconfig /all" and it'll show you the information for each of your network devices. Assuming you're behind a home or small business router, one of them will have an IP Address: line with probably either 192.168.1.XXX or 192.168.0.XXX - that's your local IP addy, and it's what you'll want to use for setting up both DMZ and regular port forwarding. I won't get into setting up a static IP address here.
4. If all of that fails, there are several browser-based chat clients that get around many port restrictions by simply using your web browsing connection. One of them can be found at www.ircatwork.com although it's currently down (8/2/07) while they find new servers to host the program. Hopefully some folks here will chime in with other options.
Please post anything you think should be added.