Here's a repeat of the IRC information- the title is a link to Dalnet's homepage. You can join the channel via Dalnet's homepage, I think it's a java client.

Anyways...just in case SBN goes crashy boom booms again tonight you might find some people lurking about on irc:

For those of you that are IRC savvy it's #TheCove on Dalnet

For the non IRC crowd here's a basic how-to. I'm know there are better ones online:

1. To reach Dalnet you will need an IRC client. The most popular ones are:
PC - mIRC
Mac - XChat Aqua, Colloquy, or Ircle
Linux - XChat or BitchX

2. Choose a nick name

3. Find the "servers" or "connections" menu. Make sure you select a Dalnet server.
I use swiftco.wa.us.dal.net

4. Once you are on the network type /join #TheCove

That's it.