Clumsy Congress members often meet in a "live" chat room to chat in real time. Why don't you come join us? (Remember that you'll be leaving ClumsyCongress.com to join the live chat - so be cool and be careful).

For IRC Veterans:
server: irc.newnet.net
channel: #ClumsyCongress

Huh?

The Chat software we use is called IRC (Internet Relay Chat) and is Easy and Free! If you don't already have IRC you can download it here.

America Online users: Go to keyword "IRC" to find out how you can use IRC.

After you get MIRC, you need to do a few things to find other Clumsy Congressors to chat with:

We are located on the NewNet server, here's how to get to it...

When the program asks you for a server name hit "add" and enter irc.newnet.net. Click on "connect to IRC server". If you don't get the prompt to enter a server name then type /server irc.newnet.net in the spacebar at the bottom of your screen.

When the server connects and you get a scroll of text on your screen type in /join #ClumsyCongress in the spacebar at the bottom of your screen. This should get you in the right room.

For an explanation of what IRC is and how it works, please see the FAQ. below.

FAQ

1. What is IRC?
2. Where can I get IRC?
3. I've got IRC and I've joined #ClumsyCongress but I can't find anyone!
4. I'm totally clueless about IRC!! Help!

1. What is IRC?
   (I)nternet (R)elay (C)hat is a program where you can talk to people from all across the world in real time. There are many different subnets on IRC that can contain the same channels but different people, so make sure when you join you're on the EFnet. Your mIRC program will have all kinds of servers listed in its setup for all the available nets.
   
   
2. Where can I get IRC?
   The most popular version for windows is mIRC, and you can download it here. If you are a Mac user, you can find the Mac version of IRC called Ircle (urkel) here. If you have a UNIX/Shell account, the IRC service should be built in, and from your $ prompt simply type the following: /irc pickanickname irc.newnet.net:6665, then type /join #ClumsyCongress
   
   
3. I've got IRC and I've joined #ClumsyCongress but I can't find anyone!
   You may be on the wrong net. There are many servers programmed into the IRC clients that you can connect to. Your best bet is to type /server irc.newnet.net 6667 to get to the channel. If this is not the case, hang out and someone is bound to show up.
   
   
4. I'm totally clueless about IRC!! Help!
   If you read through the help files, you will be able to find everything you need. The mIRC help files are particularly user friendly. If you're online and need help, go to #support or #ameri_chat and they can answer your questions.