IceChat

Exactly why I don't usually sign up for chats.

Someone will probably come along to answer your questions; if not, I'll bring it to the attention of the Administrator and/or Chat room moderator.

I don't use Windows these days, so I can't check the app.

But generally speaking a professional app will close all the ports it opens when it exists.

That said, mIRC is the most common Windows IRC client and the one that I would use. You can download and try it for free for 30 days; it costs 20.00 after that. I'd try it first.

http://www.mirc.com/mirc.html

Skreth, I think I can help, but I need a bit of info first:

PC or Mac?

What firewall(s) are you using? If you are just using the Windows Firewall that came with your machine, what operating system is it currently?

Do you have administrative access to the machine you are browsing on?

Also, Here's a page to get familiar with, if you are planning to spend a lot of time in IRC.

As a heads-up, if you're going to be using IRC, create an everyday account without Admin access; it's much much safer that way, even if you aren't using IRC.

This:

Medievalist said:

... mIRC is the most common Windows IRC client and the one that I would use. You can download and try it for free for 30 days; it costs 20.00 after that. I'd try it first.

http://www.mirc.com/mirc.html

Click to expand...

To use IRC, you need an open port--otherwise nothing goes through. mIRC has been around longer than windows--it's reliable and secure.

You can also use the java link posted in the chat forum. But compared to mIRC (or one of the other chat clients--StarChat has one [StarPIRCH] that they have tweaked specifically for use on their servers), java is the epitome of suckiness. But it works, some find it all they need, and it's as secure as your browser.

SKreth- Sorry for the delay.

Darling Bride's "Get me done" list took up the day. Turns out she doesn't want just some of the windows on the house, she wants all of them. (I know, right?) Next she'll want the roof not to leak when it rains.

You've gotten some great advice upthread. And I'm another who uses mIRC.

As for your last questions, in Windows 7:

Click the start button in the bottom left corner. Type "Programs" and then click on "Add and Remove Programs" find, highlight and select "remove" for ICE Chat.

Do a restart.

As for mIRC, first make sure your Windows Firewall is up and running. Then go get mIRC and install it. As part of the process the computer will prompt you about mIRC wanting certain accesses to your computer and the internet. If you say yes, it works. If you don't...

Read the screens carefully as you go along, to ensure that you do not install stuff you don't want, and that you know where the computer downloaded the program when you told it to download it, in case you need to find it later.

Next, please, take Medi's advice. Create an everyday user account that does not have administrative rights. It's an important day to day safety/security thing to do.

Again, in Windows 7, hit the Start button, type in "add users" and the "Add or Remove User Accounts" will appear and be highlighted. Go there, follow the steps, and add a user. (Give the user a password -- it's a safety step for when others are around your machine.)

Good luck!

As always, your mileage may vary. All actions are taken at your own discretion/risk. Void where prohibited by flying monkeys.

Is there something specific or unusual that you need to do on IRC? Chatzilla will give you access to IRC via Firefox, which obviates having to mess about with your security software.

I don't use it myself, I must admit; I don't know how suitable it might be for you.

I just checked out Chatzilla at Wikipedia, and it appears it's quite full-featured. If anything it may not be as user-friendly as you might like.

Just as an alternative you could try, I use Miranda IM. I got it from a PC magazine cover disk, and there are regular updates for it. It has no issue with letting you be in several rooms at once under the same user id.