To be honest, I never figured out exactly how that chat works - I just tried to enter, but it started blathering about "erroneous nickname" and enter you #, blah, blah, blah.
Ages ago I tried the mirc thang, but it was annoying also. I do visit another board now and then, and its chat is totally easy- click on "chat" and you are chatting.
I suppose if I was led by the hand and got it done once or twice, I'd remember the drill. So if you see me on the board and wanna chat, PM instructions in the "chat 101 for dummies" mode and I'll try.

cheers!