         var ret;
                ret  = irc.connect($D('host').value,
                                   $D('port').value,
                                   $D('encrypt').checked,
                                   $D('nick').value,
                                   $D('channel').value);
                if (! ret) { return false; }
                $D('connectButton').disabled = true;
                $D('connectButton').value = "Connecting";
            }

            function disconnect() {
             