# IRC - need a free download to connect **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 8, 2000, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irc-need-a-free-download-to-connect/44575 "2000-12-08T03:22:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2000, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irc-need-a-free-download-to-connect/44575/1 "2000-12-08T03:22:14Z")
Anyone know of a dependable FREE download to get on to IRC? I used to just use mIRC but now it’s only a 30 day trial. Any thoughts, I know there must be a freeware program out there? (PSssst Moderators, I am not asking for an ILLEGAL program don’t panic) ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2000, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irc-need-a-free-download-to-connect/44575/2 "2000-12-08T03:25:14Z")
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! 30 day trial? Yeah, that’s it. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2000, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irc-need-a-free-download-to-connect/44575/3 "2000-12-08T03:26:44Z")
Trying to do this honestly, c’mon guys! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2000, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irc-need-a-free-download-to-connect/44575/4 "2000-12-08T03:40:42Z")
You may want to give [Visual IRC](http://www.megalith.co.uk/virc/) (vIRC) a shot. It’s free and I’ve heard a lot of good things about it (inncluding it being voted “Best IRC Client” though I don’t know by whom). I’ve never used it before though, so you’re on your own from here on out. If you do try it though, drop me a line and let me know what you think. ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2000, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irc-need-a-free-download-to-connect/44575/5 "2000-12-08T03:45:11Z")
Very well, although I have never met anyone who actually sent Mr Khaled Mardam-Bey a check. Here are some alternatives: [Microsoft Chat](http://www.microsoft.com/catalog/display.asp?site=613&subid=22&pg=1&RLD=15) I think this comes with Windows or you can download it here. [Pirch](http://www.pirchat.com/) (shareware) ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2000, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irc-need-a-free-download-to-connect/44575/6 "2000-12-08T03:47:51Z")
I just checked, and it looks like it is part of Win 98. If you don’t have it installed, go to add/remove programs-windows setup-communications. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2000, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irc-need-a-free-download-to-connect/44575/7 "2000-12-08T04:04:15Z")
Thanks, now I won’t go to hell 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Saint\_Zero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Zero)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2000, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irc-need-a-free-download-to-connect/44575/8 "2000-12-08T04:54:32Z")
I’ve used Pirch for years, and haven’t had a problem with it. There’s also Xircon, which is updated once every blue moon (so to speak) and it’s free. Pirch is cool. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2000, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irc-need-a-free-download-to-connect/44575/9 "2000-12-08T07:49:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Democritus \* > **Very well, although I have never met anyone who actually sent Mr Khaled Mardam-Bey a check.** Umm…I did. C’mon, those big brown eyes? That soulful plea? “For only pennies a day, you can send this student to graduate school.” It was worth it, I tell you! Except now his picture never pops up on my screen anymore. I miss Khaled. What can I say, I live with a programmer. My conscience got the better of me. I am, however, the only person I know who sent one.