Irc application. The best Linux IRC clients. Connecting to an IRC server

IRC, or Internet Relay Chat, is a network service similar to HTTP, but allows users to exchange quick messages using an IRC server. All IRC users send their messages to the server and receive new messages from there. There are still many users using this technology, although this method of communication is already considered outdated.

In this article, we'll take a look at the best Linux IRC clients that are currently under active development and you can use one of them on your Linux operating system.

It is a lightweight, fast and highly extensible IRC client based on command line... It is cross-platform and can run on Unix, Linux, BSD, Windows, and MacOS.

The program has the following additional features:

• Modular and multi-protocol architecture
• Extensibility with additional plugins
• Fully documented and active project

2. Pidgin

It is an easy-to-use, free, cross-platform chat client that allows you to connect to multiple IRC servers at the same time. Pidgin is more than just an IRC linux client. It can be viewed as an all-in-one for internet communication.

Several chat protocols are supported, including AIM, Google Talk, Bonjour, IRC, XMPP, NSN, and many more which you can read about on the Pidgin official website. The program has the following features:

• Support for multiple protocols
• Highly extensible with plugins
• Integrates with Gnome and KDE environments
• It is free software with active development

3. XChat

It is a Linux and Windows IRC client that allows users to connect multiple chat networks at the same time. XChat can also be used to transfer files, extend with plugins and scripts.

It is extensible with plugins written in Perl, Python, TCL, but depends on the distribution. Users can write plugins in C / C ++ or many scripting languages.

4. HexChat

This IRC Linux client was originally called XChat-WDK and is based on XChat, but unlike XChat, HexChat is free and can be used on Unix-like operating systems such as Linux, OS X, and Windows.

Among the features of the program are:

• Easy to use and highly customizable
• Perl and Python scripting support
• Completely open source and active development
• Translated into several languages
• Support for connecting to multiple networks
• Spell checking support
• Supports proxies, SASL, DCC ++ and more

5. Irssi

It is an easy-to-use command line IRC client for Unix-like systems and supports SILC and IC8 protocols with plugins:

The program has the following features:

• Automatic login
• Supports themes and formats
• Customizing keyboard shortcuts
• Copy and paste
• Perl scripting support
• Irssi proxy plugin
• Upgrade without losing connection

6. Konversation

This is a handy, full-featured IRC client developed on the KDE platform, but can also run on GNOME and other Linux computers:

Konversation has the following features:

• Standard IRC functions
• Bookmark support
• Easy to use graphical interface
• SSL support
• Several servers and channels in one window
• DCC file transfer support
• Improving text and color
• Notification support
• Customizability
• Automatic recognition of UTF-8
• Channel transcoding support

7. Quassel IRC

It is a free, modern, cross-platform IRC client that runs on Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X, and can be used just like WeeChat.

At the moment, the Quassel development team is actively working to customize its features and if you go to the official website, you will understand that the program is actively developing now.

conclusions

If you are using IRC, then after reading this article you are ready to try these wonderful and amazing Linux IRC clients. To make your choice, you may have to try all the programs listed here. You will determine which one works best for you. What program are you using? Write in the comments!

Free IRC client for comfortable communication on the IRC network. Has a convenient, fully customizable interface and an advanced scripting language.

In order to get into the IRC network, you need to have a special client program. Although the mIRC client is the most popular, I suggest using KVIrc. And there are objective reasons for this. Let's compare these programs.

Comparison of free IRC clients KVirc and mIRC

And that's not all the differences. It is worth adding that the KVIrc interface is more thought out, which allows you to quickly figure out what, where, where.

Installing KVirc

Let's install the program and see everything with our own eyes. During the installation process, we will be assisted by the "Configuration Wizard".

1. First of all, he will ask which language is more convenient for us to work in. We choose "Russian".

2. We will then be asked to accept license agreement... Here, just click "Accept".

3. In the next window, you can select the components to install. But it's better to leave everything as it is and just click "Next".

4. At the last step, you can select a folder to install the program. It's better to leave the default folder here too. Click "Install".

At the end of the installation, click "Run". But that is not all.

Presetting

At the first launch, KVIrc will greet us, warn us about the need to use a free license (if you decide to modify the program) and offer to select folders to store the settings.

This is necessary in case you want to have a portable version of the program to connect to IRC from different computers.

At the next step, we fill in the data about ourselves in order to use them in the future, when connecting to the network.

Then you can choose a theme or leave the default one.

In the next window there is a checkmark "Make KVIrc IRC client default". If you do not plan to use other clients, then you can leave it. Then click Finish. The setup is complete.

Connecting to an IRC server

Finally, the main KVIrc window will open with the "Server List" window above it.

For Russian-speaking users, the Rusnet network is best suited. By clicking on the arrow to the left of it, we will see a list of servers in this network.

In the future, you can get into the same window by clicking the "Connect to" button on the toolbar.

In the meantime, select the server you like and press the blue button "Connect now" and "OK" (to close the server selection window).

Windows Firewall may give a warning window that the program is blocked. But since the program is familiar to us, we press "Allow access" and find ourselves in the chat room.

How to communicate with KVirc

After a few seconds, the main program window will display:

• Left - a list of connected networks;
• In the center - the chat itself, where both system messages and user messages will appear;
• On the right is a list of visitors to this room;
• Below is the message input panel.

Unfortunately, some rooms may not have participants at all. Apparently, with the development of the Internet, most of its users now prefer to communicate via video communication.

KVirc settings

Now it remains to go over the program settings. We have three main windows here. They are accessible through three corresponding buttons in the control panel.

1. Configuration of identification. This is the section that we filled out when we first entered the program. But here you can add your profile, for example, with an avatar and other details.

2. General KVirc settings

All settings are collected here, from the interface to connecting and executing additional scripts.

3. The third button is responsible for the visual component of the program.

conclusions

In my opinion, this is by far the most user-friendly IRC client (especially among the free ones). It can help you make new friends on the Internet or chat with old ones.

Also, a significant advantage of KVIrc is the ability to exchange files and maintain voice communication. To do this, just click on the interlocutor's nickname with the right mouse button and select the options for file transfer or voice quality.

Despite the fact that now every second messenger allows you to communicate by voice and transmit video, IRC networks are still alive, due to the fact that not everywhere there is still high-speed Internet access, and even the most slow connection is enough for text communication.

P.S. It is allowed to freely copy and quote this article, provided that an open active link to the source is indicated and the authorship of Ruslan Tertyshny is preserved.

The undisputed leader among IRC clients, used by millions of people around the world. Mirk has impressive functionality that can be supplemented with many scripts.

Miranda

This instant messenger supports IRC and every imaginable plug-in communication protocol. Hundreds of add-ons allow you to flexibly customize the presentation of the program and its relationship with the operating system and the network.

xChat

A multi-platform graphical IRC client that has all the functions necessary for fruitful communication. Allows you to simultaneously connect to several channels (rooms) at once, you can conduct public conversations or private conversations. It is also possible to exchange files.

KVirc

Graphical cross-platform IRC client. Supports all known protocols, SSL encryption, including DCC connections. Flexible customizable interface, excellent scripting language with support for object-oriented programming. First IRC client to announce support for avatars. A real alternative to mIRC or XChat, popular in the west. In Russia, it has recently been distributed, but has already gained popularity in certain circles.

Opera

Since version 7.50 Opera comes with an irc client. Chat contacts can be saved in the address book, and your contacts, when they are online, are displayed in the "Chat" panel

Trillian

Differs in support of many common instant messaging protocols. Supports the ability to connect under several accounts on different servers. There are problems with the Cyrillic alphabet.

Chatzilla

IRC client implemented as an extension for mozilla browsers Firefox, Mozilla, Seamonkey and Flock. Supports most functions of IRC clients such as simultaneous connection to multiple servers, IPv6, SSL, UTF-8, DCC. ChatZilla's look and feel is easily modified using CSS.
Chatzilla can be launched in a browser tab by typing the address bar chrome: //chatzilla/content/chatzilla.xul You can also launch it without opening a Firefox browser window. To do this, you need to start Firefox with the key "-chat".

IRC or Internet Relay Chat is a protocol that enables real-time text communications between people. To start, a client connects to a server (or more commonly a network of servers) where clients have either one on one conversations or group conversations in channels.

Before choosing a client it "s important to understand how IRC functions and what it" s capable of. Here "s a quick rundown of the most important features.

Features

CTCP or client-to-client protocol is used to send structured data. Most notably it is used to initiate DCC connections, but it "s also used to obtain information about users and clients as well.

DCC or Direct Client-to-Client protocol allows for private communications between users (without the traffic being routed through servers). DCC has multiple components and different components are implemented by different clients. A quick rundown of the components - CHAT is used for messaging, Whiteboard allows sending drawing commands, SEND allows sending files, RESUME can continue interrupted SEND file transfers, XMIT is a SEND alternative that allows resuming file transfers.

Due to DCC communications acting as servers-client client relationships if the initiator can "t be a server for whatever reason (firewalls, router configuration, etc) the communication cannot be established. Multiple extensions for workarounds exist. DCC Server allows the initiator be a client and the other party the server with RDCC adding a handshake mechanism to the DCC Server extension. REVERSE and RSEND are CTCP handshake-based DCC server alternatives.

DCC FSERV is a file server that allows a user browse available files.

Turbo DCC is a DCC alternative that removes the necessity to expressly accept direct communications and uses a renamed SEND function called TSEND.

IPv6 is an updated version of the Internet Protocol that was mainly created to address the IPv4 address exhaustion. IPv6 support allows connecting to IPv6 addresses.

TLS (and its predecessor SSL) connections are used by servers to prevent packet sniffing. To join a server that uses SSL encryption for communication, the client requires that functionality as well.

DANE or DNS-based Authentication of Named Entities enables binding X.509 certificates to DNS names.

CRL (certificate revocation list) and OCSP (Online Certificate Status Protocol) are protocols used to revoke X.509 certificates.

SASL or Simple Authentication and Security Layer is a framework that increases security by separating authentication process from client "s software functionality.

OTR or Off-the-Record Messaging is a protocol that provides privacy to conversation by encrypting messages.

Multi-server functionality allows connecting to multiple servers from a single client.

UTF-8 support allows using extended an character set including Cyrillic, Hebrew and Latvian characters.

Proxy server support allows connecting to an IRC server as if from a different machine.

URI scheme support allows using hyperlinks to join servers and channels.

Download and install one of the many IRC clients available. A client is the program you use to chat. Wikipedia did comparative analysis IRC clients,.

1. Cross-platform
   • Chatzilla is available as an add-on on SeaMonkey and Mozilla Firefox.
   • Mibbit web ajax IRC client.
   • Opera has a built-in IRC client.
   • Pidgin is a multi-platform instant messaging client that supports IRC as well as AIM, Yahoo, Facebook, and several other protocols.
   • Smuxi is an irssi follower, flexible, with a friendly user interface and a cross-platform IRC client for advanced users built for the GNOME desktop.
   • There are terminal-based IRC clients; some of the most popular include: WeeChat and irssi. Both of these clients have a wide range of features, enhancements and capabilities. Note that these clients are created for systems on uNIX basedsuch as Linux and OS X.
   • There are several web clients with IRC capability. Most often, they can be found on the websites of companies and organizations that use IRC to communicate with users. In such cases, access is opened only to one of the channels or to the network.
   • HexChat is one of the most successful Linux IRC clients; XChat. You can find this program in the repository of your chosen Linux build. Unlike the previous XChat, HexChat is free program open source.
2. For Windows
   • mIRC is the most popular IRC client for Windows due to its easy program modification. Known as Shareware, and you will be able to use the program for 30 days and after that, but with a message about registration for $ 20.
   • Whilst mIRC is the most popular. There are other free IRC clients available: ClicksAndWhistles, IceChat, and many other cross-platform IRC clients.
3. For Linux
   • hosts a large number of IRC clients for Linux
   • Konversation is a popular KDE IRC client that is most commonly included in the mainstream operating system Kubuntu.
4. For Mac
   • Popular Mac IRC clients include: Colloquy, Ircle, Snak, and Linkinus. Colloquy is free and open source.

1. Check out the user guide for your IRC client. This way you will be able to learn how to perform basic actions in your program.

   The first thing you need to do is come up with a name under which you will communicate on IRC. You can use your real name or any other pseudonym you make up. More often than not, people do not reveal their real name to the public.

   Very often in software a list of some of the most popular IRC servers in the world will be added; you can join them if you have not yet decided on the server. The name of the servers, most often, speaks about the type of audience and the users who communicate there. Popular servers (also known as networks) include EFNet, and QuakeNet (a network aimed at gaming audiences). These networks are visited by up to 100,000 users per day. wikiHow has an IRC room on the freenode network. You can connect to one of these networks using your IRC client. IRC network addresses are similar to website addresses (eg irc.freenode.net). Select a server and click on " Connect".

   Congratulations! You just connected to iRC server! At the very beginning, you will see information about the server. You may find it helpful to read some parts of it, as there may be important notes and links to popular channels (see below). It also includes "terms of use".