How to Pick an IRC Client

If you want to get started chatting online, you'll need to know how to pick an IRC client. This guide will help you find one that works on your system and will suit your needs, whether you just need to pop into a chat once or use it on a regular basis.
Mahalo's IRC Room

Once you've selected an IRC client, you can connect with other Mahalo users and Mahalo employees on the irc.freenode.net server, in the #mahalo room. You can easily connect to the room through the Java-based online Freenode site.

If you want to get started chatting online, you'll need to know how to pick an IRC client. This guide will help you find one that works on your system and will suit your needs, whether you just need to pop into a chat once or use it on a regular basis.
Featured

This video demonstrates how to setup and use the mIRC client - an IRC client for Windows.

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Introduction
- Internet Relay Chat, or IRC, is a great way to meet and keep in touch with people, and there are many ways to get connected. Which client you'll want to use depends mainly on what you want to get out of IRC chatting, including what kinds of bells and whistles you'd like to add on.
Step 1: Why You Want IRC
- Among the first things to consider is what you'll be using IRC for. Are you looking to get into one specific chat on a specific network? Looking to get on different types of chats? Multiple networks? There are options that cater to each, so keep that in mind.
1. Many networks, such as Darkmyst.org and Esper.net, have their own Java-based IRC clients available through their websites. If you only want to use IRC occasionally and you know the chat you want to go to is on one of these, this is a free and easy way to go about it.
  1. Go to the website of the network you want to sign on to.
  2. On the front page, there should be a menu to either the top or the side of the page that includes a "Chat Now" option or something similar.
  3. Click on the button, then follow the site's instructions to get online.
2. If you want something more robust, and with more options, you'll want to take a look at a dedicated program.
Step 2: Picking a Program
- If you're looking to use IRC a lot, you'll want to choose a program to run it through. Most clients are free and available online, so it's a matter of determining which program is right for what you want.
1. As with other types of programs, some will only work with certain operating systems. Windows by far supports the most IRC clients, while other OS's have a more limited selection. Browser-based clients like Mibbit and ChatZilla tend to be supported by several operating systems.
2. Now that you've narrowed the search down, think about what you want from your IRC client. If you want it solely for chatting on IRC, then you'll want a comparatively simple program like mIRC. mIRC gives you a lot of versatility as far as IRC chatting goes, including customizable scripting, but will not offer much beyond that.
3. Alternatively, you can go for a more diversified program like Trillian, which in addition to IRC can connect you to AIM, ICQ, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Novell GroupWise Messenger, Bonjour, Jabber, and Skype. This type of program is mainly recommended if you either don't already have clients for those, or just want to streamline things.
4. Also to be considered is how computer savvy you are. Some programs are more user-friendly than others, while some programs assume you know a certain amount of scripting and programming.
5. Naturally, there's a variety of programs between the two extremes. Your best bet is to do a search for clients that include the features you're looking for (scripting, compatibility, chatting options) and consult the programs' websites.
Step 3: Getting Connected
- Once you've found a program that suits your needs, it's time to get connected.
1. Download the program and run the install software.
2. Configure the software to suit your needs by setting up your networks and scripts if the program supports them.
3. Get chatting! Most programs have a fairly user-friendly way of choosing chat rooms, so just follow the instructions.
Conclusion
- Before you jump onto IRC, you'll want to find a program that suits your needs. Some programs will only work with certain operating systems, while some will just be either too complicated or too limited for what you need. Keep these things in mind while you're searching, and you'll be online in no time. Learn more about IRC →