which irc client is best (and free)?

[jonnyD]

I'm just learning about the irc client world.  Any thoughts on which one to use?

[WillyW]

I'm just learning about the irc client world.  Any thoughts on which one to use?

Are you using Windows 3.1,  95,  98,  XP,  2000, .... or ...?


You might like to explore:
http://www.mirc.org/home
http://www.mirc.org/pub/mirc/
http://www.mirc.com/

Interesting reading and links here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IRC_clients


For Win9X,  I've used mIRC.    The version I have installed is ancient -  I rarely use it.    It does come in handy on occasion though.

mIRC is uncrippled shareware.    If you do not register it,  occasionally upon loading it pops up a reminder.   That's it.    I have never really tried to explore all of mIRC's many capabilities,  but I've never run across anything that was crippled in the un-registered version.

[Computer Hope Admin]

I personally use and recommend HydraIRC.

http://www.hydrairc.com/