21st Century IRC Client Overview

Internet Relay Chat or IRC may date back to the late 1980s, but it's still a great way to interact with people. You can chat with other Wing Commander fans in the #Wingnut channel on the CIC network (irc.wcnews.com). While this used to require a dedicated IRC client, it has never been easier to connect. Here's a quick overview of your options.

• Our web interface is without a doubt the simplest way to connect. We've recently replaced the aging Java applet with a cleaner, slicker Flash application. Just direct your browser to www.wcnews.com/irc and pick a username. You'll automatically join the #wingnut channel.
• The latest version (15) of the Thunderbird mail client supports various real-time chat protocols out of the box. Here is a tutorial for configuring an IRC session. Our server is located at irc.wcnews.com. Put a username of your choice and don't worry about the password. Once you are connected, join the #wingnut channel.
• Dedicated IRC applications are still the most powerful. Once you are more familiar with IRC, you may want to upgrade to one of these clients. mIRC for Windows, LimeChat for Mac and XChat for Linux are just a few options for PC. Tablet and phone users can try AndroIRC for Android, IRC7 for Windows Phone or Colloquy for iOS.