We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Software

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Chat Client?

By R. Kayne
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 14,263
Share

A chat client is a software program designed for use in online chat rooms. It might also be associated with Instant Messaging (IM) programs, though IM programs are designed to use while cruising the Web. This makes standard IM programs more akin to a plug-in than a fully featured chat client. What IM programs and a chat client have in common is that they both allow real-time communication between people who are online at the same time. As soon as a participant types a message and hits “send” in the chat or IM program, the recipient sees the reply inside his or her own chat or IM program.

However, similarities end there. While an instant message communication is usually between two people who are cruising the Web, a chat program makes use of a separate network designed to allow numerous people to talk to each other in real time. Using a chat program, a participant can discuss one of countless subjects with dozens or even hundreds of other people.

Various “chat rooms,” each with their own subject matter, are located at unique network addresses. The user chooses what subject she or he would like to discuss, then joins the chat room. Chat rooms operate 24/7, and at any given time, a particular chat room might be jumping with hundreds of participants or virtually empty.

Chat programs operate on the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) network. Arguably, the most long-lived and popular chat client is mIRC. The “m” stands for the last name of the author, Khaled Mardam-Bey. This is shareware, available for a free 30-day trial.

Another popular chat program is XChat (Cross Chat). This chat client is open source - the coding is available for anyone to review. Open source programs are especially popular, as public scrutiny usually means fewer bugs and fewer security issues. Open source programs are free, and this client runs on Windows or Linux operating systems.

Trillian is a chat client combined with an IM program. It comes in two varieties, Basic and Pro. Many people find Trillian meets their needs. The chat program you prefer will likely depend on your personal tastes.

IRC is considerably more involved than instant messaging and has its own ‘language’ and netiquette. If interested in using a chat program and entering the world of IRC, it’s a good idea to take an online tutor, easily found with a search engine. There are also chat rooms for newbies, where those learning about IRC can practice by talking to each other and asking questions of moderators.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-a-chat-client.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.