Instructions for Windows Users

Preferred Software:

• Pandion

The first task for any Windows user wanting to connect to the network will be to download the Pandion Jabber client. Use the following link:

Download Pandion

1. Run the setup procedure by double-clicking on the downloaded file. This process should be fairly straighforward. First you will see the "Welcome to the Pandion Setup Wizard" screen. Pressing "Next" shows the license agreement. Click "I Agree". The next screen shows a series of options. It is suggested that you remove the tick that is next to "Quick Launch Shortcut" and also the tick next to "Launch Pandion on startup" so that you are only loading the program when you intend to use it. You can leave it as it is if your are unsure though. Next you will see "Choose Install Location". The default should be fine. Press "Install". Then press "Finish" when the screen that says "Completing the Pandion Setup Wizard" comes up.
2. You will see a very simple window now. Press the "Sign Up" button to begin the process of getting an account. A new wizard window appears that says "Welcome to the Sign Up Wizard". Press "Next". Choose a name, preferably something familiar to you (for example, a recognisable handle you use on another forum or site). Press "Next". The next window has several text fields. In the one entitled "Server" type "mgtow.homelinux.org" (obviously without the inverted commas). Then in the two password boxes ("Password" and "Confirm Password") you can set your password (whatever this may be) making sure to type it exactly the same way twice. Put a tick in the "Remember Password" box. You can then press "Next". After a few moments it will say "Registration Completed". Press "Next" and then "Finish".
3. You will now have an instant messaging interface very similar to most other IM programs (but fortunately without advertisements everywhere). If you know the address of another chat network member you can add them to your contact list and wait for them to authorise you. For example, "joeblogs@mgtow.homelinux.org". This works very similar to most IM clients so there should be no need to go into a lot of details. Essentially, each time you want to add a contact, all you need to do is go to the menu bar and click "Actions" and then "Add a Contact" and then type their username in the "Username" box provided when it comes up.
4. Now that you have joined the network and (possibly) added some contacts, you can join one of the Men's Chat Network Conference Rooms. This concept will be familiar to anyone who has used IRC or Yahoo. If you click on "Actions" and then "Join A Conference Room" you will see a new window appear with a list of available rooms. The first place you will want to go to chat with other members is the room entitled "Men's Chat Network Lobby". Click ONCE on that room in the list and you will instantly be taken there and will be able to talk to other members. If you LIKE this room then you can bookmark it and have it opened automatically the next time you start Pandion. In the menu bar in the conference room window click "Bookmarks" and then "Add to Bookmarks" and put a tick next to "Join this conference room when logging in".

Instructions for Mac Users

Appropriate Software:

There a several Jabber-compatible programs that you can use to access the Chat Server. These include:

• Adium X
• Psi
• Spark

In addition, if you've already set up your membership with another program, you can use iChat (v.3 or better), which comes pre-installed on all new Macs, to connect to the server and chat with members. However, for ease of setup and use, Spark is recommended.

Installing Spark

To install after downloading, double click on the .dmg file. This will mount the disk image and open a window containing the Spark application file. Drag the spark icon to your Applications folder (or to any other location on your hard drive), and then unmount the disk image. Locate the application icon on your computer, and double-click on it to launch Spark.

Signing in with Spark

The first time you launch Spark, a login window with blank fields appears. Click on the "Accounts" button to create a new Jabber account. A new window will appear for you to type in a user name, a password, and the name of the Jabber server. Your user name and password can be whatever you like, but you should try to use something familiar to you, or something easy to remember. In the server field, type "mgtow.homelinux.org" - without the quote marks. A dialog box will appear to tell you whether you have been successful in creating a new Jabber account.

Next you will need to log into the Men's Chat Network. Return to the login window, and enter the name and password you used when you created your account. Again, use "mgtow.homelinux.org" for the server (without the quotes). Congratulations! You have entered the network.

Adding Contacts

When you log on, you will be greeted with a contact window (or "Buddy list"). Under your username, there is a pull-down menu for you to set your status. If you know any other members of the Chat Network, you can click on the human-shaped icon with the "+" sign to add them to your contact list, and wait for them to authorize you.

Joining Conference Rooms

Now that you have joined the network and (possibly) added some contacts, you can join one of the Men's Chat Network Conference Rooms. This concept will be familiar to anyone who has used IRC or Yahoo. Click on the icon of the two overlapping word balloons. A new window entitled "Browse Conference Rooms" with a list of available rooms will open. The first place you will want to go to chat with other members is the room entitled "Men's Chat Network Lobby". Double click on this name (or single-click to select it, and then click on "Join selected room"), and an IM window with the current discussion will open for you, allowing you to chat with other members. If you like this room and would like to bookmark it to quickly join in the future, select it in the "Browse Conference Rooms" Window and click on the "Bookmark Room" button.

Linux:

Appropriate Software:

The two most common jabber-compatible chat programs for Linux are:

• Gaim
• Kopete

For general ease of setup and usage, Kopete is recommended over Gaim.

Instructions:

Unlike the Windows and Mac instruction pages, this particular page will assume you are a moderately skilled computer user. This is probably not an unreasonable assumption if you are using Linux.

Start Kopete and go to "Settings" and then "Configure". Select "Accounts" in the left column and then "New". The messaging service to select is obviously "Jabber" for this network. Clicking "Next" allows you to connect to a known network or register a new account. Since this is your first sign in you will need to register a new account. In the new window that comes up, enter "mgtow.homelinux.org" for the server address. Enter your preferred handle with full server name extension. So if you want to call yourself "joebloggs", you will need to enter "joebloggs@mgtow.homelinux.org". Then enter your password in the appropriate fields.

Now that your account is active, you can sign in. Naturally at first no contacts appear in your list. If you know who you want to add as a contact you can do so, but it is recommended you first join the lobby conference room. To do this, right click on the light bulb icon in the bottom right corner of your main contacts window and select "join groupchat". Then for "Room" enter "mgtow.lobby". Then for server enter "conference.mgtow.homelinux.org". This is the groupchat server address for ALL rooms on the server. You will not be able to access them all straight away however. Finally, choose a nickname and then connect.

Men's Chat Network Statistics

Number of registered members: 143
Number active in the last month: 39

Last updated: 6 May 2008.