The easiest way to get on to the IRC networks is by using a program called mIRC. which is freely available at
http://www.mirc.com
forget the scripts, mirc comes with standard stuff - when you download the program you it will have a list of servers already in there - just try and connect to any of the EFNET servers and then to get into the channel you want.. just type /join #whatevertheChannelNameIs
get it?
very simple...
have fun..