The EKC thrives on communication. We have several mailing lists, including one that is for all members and is always the most heavily used. Whatever game you play, whatever server you are on - or even if you just want to stay in contact with old friends, we keep those communication lines up. We also maintain an IRC channel to facilitate in-game communication and to generally meet people real time. This does not apply to Everquest members, but we would like to see them also.

If you are joining the EKC or wondering where everyone is, we strongly suggest you obtain a copy of an IRC client, such as mIRC and come to the EKC channel. IRC uses almost no bandwidth and will cause no lag for UO or other game players. It will be difficult to see in Everquest, however :)

Our channel is located on the Stratics servers (irc.stratics.com) and the channel name is #EKC. If this does not make sense to you, please read the information below on how to setup mIRC and join our channel.

You should also read the Channel Notes section for some observations on how the EKC uses the #EKC channel.

What is IRC?

Here's what MIRC has to say about it:

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is one of the most popular and most interactive services on the Internet. Sure, the Web is nice for finding info and E-mail beats snailmail hands down, but when you've been wondering 'where the others are?', then IRC is what you're looking for.

IRC is the net's equivalent of CB radio. But unlike CB, Internet Relay Chat lets people all over the world participate in real-time conversations. IRC is where the Net comes alive!

Where can I get IRC?

We recommend mIRC as the best chat client available. There are others, and the mIRC site will point you to them if you are interested. It's a shareware program and you can run it as long as you want, paid for or not. If you like it alot and especially intend to use it outside of the EKC, then please register it.

How do I run IRC and get to the EKC Channel?

After downloading the MIRC client and installing it, run the MIRC program.

Put the following in the setup menu: (Files/Setup)

Real Name: Your real name
E-Mail: Your email address
Nick Name: Use your main guild name here
Alternate:Use a different way for your name or use another character name.
Left click on Add at the top of the menu and enter this info
Description: EKC Stratics
Server: irc.stratics.com
Port: 6667

On the Identd tab just check the Enable Identd server. Do not change anything else. If you use a firewall then you need to do that on your own. Hit OK button to close Setup.

Click on the File menu and select Connect.

Once you are connected (it sometimes will have difficulty connected - this is rare, but try again):

To join EKC channel type /j #EKC in the bottom text area.

In a channel there are 2 things the people list and the chat area. To speak privately to someone just double-left click on their name on the right hand list.

To talk just type in the bottom area and press enter. If you want to say something you said awhile back just use the up arrow key to scroll through all the things you typed.

To emote just type /me (ex. /me laughs would show Bain laughs.

To change your name type /nick (ex. /nick Bubba would change Bain to Bubba)

To exit IRC just hit the x in the inner window.

Some people have symbols by their names such as @(operator) .  Ops have all the power in a channel. They can ban or kick people. For the EKC channel, Squires and above have ops status.

Sometimes there will be few, or no one on the EKC channel. If that is the case, just hang around on the channel while you play the game. Company attracts more company on the channel, so your presence will encourage others to stay on channel as well. We all use this as a lifeline sometimes when we are in a bad spot and need help.

If you have any questions about IRC, please feel free to e-mail Talysman

Channel Notes

STANDING RULE: When in the EKC channels (#ekc and #ekotc) you must use your EKC name in order to be easily recognised. This is especially important for Aspirants, as it is their EKC name that is put forward for voting.

There has been some concerns raised regarding usage of IRC, response time
from members while on there and some other issues.

First, we want to point out that not everyone you see on IRC is watching the
channel closely. Sometimes people are in full screen mode of UO (and
definitely in Everquest) or perhaps paying more attention to what's going on
in the game than on channel. I know that if I am hunting or shopping I may
not pay attention to the channel for up to 20 minutes or more.

Second, not everyone who is on IRC will be a player in the shard you play in
and therefore may not be much help if you are in serious trouble (or maybe
just not very fast at getting to where you are if they have only low-skilled
toons on your shard.)

Third, not everyone can help you out of your situation. If you are in a
particularly dangerous area, or a remote region, it might be difficult for
people to help even if they desperately want to. The guild does not require
that everyone be a powerful warrior or arch mage, and so many are tradesman,
or are still working toward being strong. If you do go to a dangerous or
remote area, be observant of your surroundings and route so that if you do
need help, you can aid your rescuers in finding you quickly and safely.

When people do call for help, it's nice if they get a response from those
who are active on channel. There is nothing wrong with saying you cannot
help, but a statement to that effect is a matter of courtesy. Simply say
"Sorry, I cannot come because ....".

If you can come to their aid, say something to that effect  (such as "On my
way")  so that the person in trouble knows they do not need to find someone
else. It's disappointing to go to someone's aid only to find they already
got someone else to help them out.

When you are using the channel, please try to use some abbreviation after
your name that suggests where you are or what your status is, such as:

- AFK - for away from keyboard

- Euro - for Europa

- FS - for Fullscreen mode

-  EQ - for Everquest

- None - for not in game :)

This helps people to know if you might be available or not to help them, or
even just to go on an adventure.