> I'm trying to get in as well. I just downloaded mIRC, but I can't connect
> to anything. I need someone to hold my hand, which is weird considering
> that I'm a techie.


I'm off now, but these two line commands in this order did the job:

/server irc2.penguinpowered.ca

/join #rec.food.cooking

I just kept plugging them until they worked.