If you enjoy the Guild Wars Guru chat room via our Java interface and would like to participate more frequently, the best idea is to use separate chat software on your computer. This guide takes you through all the necessary steps.

1. Visit GameSurge and sign up for a free account here.  You will receive an e-mail that you will need later.
    
2. Download the chat software mIRC from here and install it on your computer.
    
3. Start mIRC for the first time.
    
4. Complete the text boxes marked ⁽¹⁾ through ⁽⁴⁾. The Full Name box ⁽¹⁾ and the Email Address box ⁽²⁾ are of no particular relevance, and you are free to enter anything you like. Please do not enter your real name or an e-mail address containing your real name. The Nickname box ⁽³⁾ specifies your preferred name for the chat room. The  Alternative box ⁽⁴⁾ indicates a second name for the chat room that you would like to use if your chosen nickname is already used by somebody else. Please note that nicknames and alternatives may not include special characters or spaces. If you need a space, use underscore instead. Last but not least, please leave the Invisible mode check box selected.
   
   
    
5. In the Category list, select Connect - Servers ⁽¹⁾. In the IRC Servers list, double-click GameSurge and select Random server ⁽²⁾. Click Select ⁽³⁾.
   
   
    
6. This takes you back to the initial option screen. Please make sure that Server: GameSurge: Random server is specified ⁽¹⁾.
   
   
    
7. In the Category list, select Connect - Options ⁽¹⁾. Select all check boxes with the exception of the Pop up connect dialog on startup check box ⁽²⁾. Click Perform ⁽³⁾.
   
   
    
8. In the Perform window, select the Enable perform on connect check box ⁽¹⁾. In the Network box, select GameSurge ⁽²⁾. If GameSurge is not available, please continue here. In the Perform commands box ⁽³⁾, enter the following lines:
   
   /authserv auth username password
   //mode $me +x
   /join #guildwarsguru
   
   Line 1 completes your logon, replace username and password with the details provided in the e-mail you received from GameSurge after signing up for free here. Line 2 hides your IP from other users after logging on, it must be entered exactly as stated above. Line 3 opens the Guild Wars Guru chat room and must also be entered exactly as stated above. Click OK ⁽⁴⁾.
   
   
   
   If GameSurge is unavailable in the Network box, click Add. In the Select network list, select GameSurge ⁽¹⁾ and click OK ⁽²⁾. Continue here.
   
   
    
9. In the Category list, select IRC ⁽¹⁾. Select all check boxes with the exception of the Show mode prefix, Use single message window, Whois on query, Auto-join channel on invite, Keep channels open, and Hide channel key check boxes ⁽²⁾. Under Show in active, clear all check boxes with the exception of the Invites check box ⁽³⁾. Click Events ⁽⁴⁾.
   
   
    
10. In the Joins, Modes, Parts, Topics, Quits, and Nicks boxes, select Hide. In the Ctcps box, select In Status. In the Kicks box, select In Channel ⁽¹⁾. Click OK ⁽²⁾.
    
    
     
11. In the Category list, select IRC - Messages ⁽¹⁾. Select the Timestamp events check box ⁽¹⁾ and enter [HH:nn] in the box.
    
    
     
12. In the Category list, select Flood ⁽¹⁾. Select the Enable flood protection check box ⁽²⁾. In the Trigger flood check after box, enter 400. In the Max. lines in buffer box, enter 10. In the Max lines per person box, enter 4. In the Ignore person for box, enter 0 ⁽³⁾. Under Enable protection and Queue, ensure that all check boxes are selected ⁽⁴⁾. Clear the Show status updates in active window check box.
    
    
     
13. In the Category list, select DCC ⁽¹⁾. Under On Send request, select Ignore all ⁽²⁾.
    
    
     
14. In the Category list, select Display - Options ⁽¹⁾. Click Windows ⁽²⁾.
    
    
     
15. Select the Minimize mIRC on close check box ⁽¹⁾ and click OK ⁽²⁾. Click OK ⁽³⁾ to close mIRC Options.
    
    
     
16. On the mIRC toolbar, click Connect ⁽¹⁾.
    
    
     
17. In mIRC Favorites, clear the Pop up favorites on connect check box ⁽¹⁾ and click OK ⁽²⁾.
    
    
     
18. Welcome to the Guild Wars Guru chat room.
    
    
     
19. From the View menu, choose Font.
    
    
     
20. In the Font, Font Style, and Size boxes, select the settings for your preferred font  ⁽¹⁾. Select the Set as default channel font check box ⁽²⁾ and click OK  ⁽³⁾.
    
    
     

Congratulations, you have successfully set up your chat software. The next time you open mIRC, it will automatically open the Guild Wars Guru chat room. If you have any problems, please do not hesitate to ask for help.

_{[Screenshots: mIRC v6.21]}