Knowledge base Using irc
Internet Relay Chat (irc) is a simple on-line live chat system. It allows text messages to be posted and read in channels. There is a chat channel for A&A customers which can be very useful for getting advice and contacting support staff in or out of normal hours.
Firefox plug-in chatzilla
There is a plug-in for Firefox to provide irc, called chatzilla. This is simple to install in Firefox. First ensure you have Firefox installed. The find the chatzilla plug-in in the mozilla addons page - just search for chatzilla. Don't pick the French language one by mistake (unless you want French!). Just click to install and confirm.
Once you have installed, just type irc://irc.z.je/A&A in to Firefox location bar (where you type a web page). That will open the chatzilla window and join the A&A chat channel. You will want to type /nick followed by a suitable nick name that you want to use. You can use irc://6.irc.z.je/A&A instead if you have IPv6 connectivity.
There are many other irc servers and channels. It is a good idea not to get in to arguments as this is one of the causes of denial or service attacks. Whilst the A&A chat channel is pretty safe, some irc channel have hackers and script kiddies that can easily attack your broadband line if you offend them - so please be nice.
Online IRC Client
You can also try this web-based irc client provided by a 3rd party to join the A&A chat channel:
Once the box above has loaded pick a suitable nickname, and then click the join button. Once connected you'll be able to chat with other customers as well as staff.
Getting our attention
Staff do take part in the irc channel, but it can be quite lively from time to time. If you want to get the attention of a member of staff then use the word staff which the staff stalk. Staff generally have names starting AA-. It helps to say if you need sales, support or accounts as well.
