It's good to talk (Req - good [free] chat programs/servers)

In My Humble Opinion
1

I have been sat here wondering what’s missing in my life, and it’s just hit me - Electronic small-talk. I used have ICQ, I used to spend hours in the microsoft chat program, and more recently I used to spend hours in AOL’s chat rooms.

Now I have ditched AOL I have no-where to chat. For a while I’ve known something was missing, but not figured out what. Now I think I have. I need a place to chat to people ‘live’. I know there’s the SDMB. But the SDMB is not live enough, and you have to have a good enough reason to post, and people can choose not to see what you’ve got to say.

In a chat room it’s live, you can say almost anything, and everyone has to at least glance at what you’ve said.
So what can I use to get my chat fix?

2

Preferably a place type where there is the chance of developing ‘relationships’.

In AOL I could be on for hours and hours and never really get to know anyone. But in Microsoft chat I often got quite ‘close’ to people. And in one case got so close that phonecalls were exchanged and expensive trans-atlantic calls were made.

If I have one regret in life it’s losing touch with that person.

3

:smack:

Not phonecalls. I meant to say phone numbers.

4

What’s your OS? Fire is a nice all-in-one chat program for MacOS X, and its free. AIM, ICQ, IRC, Yahoo, MSN, and Jabber (whatever that may be) all in one program.

5

Talk to us!

Get Mirc (or another irc client such as Trillian) and come to channel #straightdope or #sdmb on any Undernet server.
(disclaimer : these irc channels are not officially connected to the SDMB, Cecil, or the Chicago Reader. They’re just used by the same people who post here)

6

My OS is Windows ME

Kalasnikov Do the different servers link to the same rooms (with the same people talking) or is it their own version of the room?

7

Ever heard of trillian? Its great, its a program like the one AHunter3 referred to, except its for windows platforms. It is really a good program.

To find it, go here

8

The #straightdope and #sdmb channels are on Undernet. To get to the Undernet, connect to any Undernet server, then /join #straightdope or /join #sdmb. (Leave the periods off)

They also have a java client here that only connects to their servers. Follow directions, and once connected, type /join #straightdope or /join #sdmb. Quite simple, really.

[sub]These channels are not affiliated with the SDMB, the Chicago Reader, or the known universe. Side effects may include upset stomach, runny nose, excess gas and wide-eyed disbelief. See your doctor.[/sub]

Robin

9

Yes, all the Undernet servers are linked so the same channel name on any of them connects you to the same room.

10

Can I access an undernet server in Microsoft Chat?

11

Yes, you can Lobsang