Into the IRC Abyss

Now that it appears isohunt, my current avenue to semi-legal downloads is about to get shut down, it looks like I'll have to delve into the depth of the net far too deep for the MPAA and the like to care about. . . that cryptic realm known as IRC. 

So now, I need a decent IRC client.  MiRC, the aparent "choice" of everyone, may have decent funcionality, but I don't have time, patience, or bad taste to deal with its interface.  Are there any decent looking, functional, user friendly IRC clients out there?  Maybe one that easily facilitates sharing of files in channel?

Internet Relay Chat was not created to transfer files. It's going to take time and patience to figure out not only how IRC works, but the client as well. IRC is not BT and it will not act like it just for you. That said getting files off IRC is easy once you get used to it.

>>2
Signed, IRC was never created as an idiot-proof way with which to transfer files nor will it bend over to serve your purpose as such. It's easy to do once you learn but if you're trying to just find a bt replacement that requires zero learning then you're barking up the wrong tree.

I'm not really looking for it as a complete replacement, but the last time I used IRC (about 2-3 years ago), this is what I remember:
1.  You had to find a proper channel to leach files.  Not too difficult to do.
2.  People set their systems to accept certain commands to let you start a file transfer (from you to them) without them being there.  In essence, setting themselves up as a sort of server. 
3.  Setting up one of these command settings to put up files to try and give something back to the community was extremely confusing. 
4.  IRC is full of cranky people, who shun the light of society.
5.  IRC MIRC is apparently the only client that works, and it's ugly as sin.  :)

I just would think by now there would be a client with a nicer looking interface.  Where it would be easy to keep a simple list of your fav channels, and where you could easily set up yourself to serve a few select files. 

Then again, the types of people on IRC usually want the program as cryptic as possible, thus to help keep the majority of people (and thus the MPAA/RIAA) out of their business. 

Are there maybe skins to make MIRC look better?

but I don't have time, patience, or bad taste to deal with its interface.

Then IRC isn't for you. Sorry to let you in on a Big Secret (lol), but mIRC is popular for a reason: it's one of the easiest full-featured IRC clients out there. Don't like it? You won't like any of the alternatives either.

And, frankly, we need less idiots on IRC. Go visit a binary newsgroup instead.

>>5

Yes. These skins are called "other programs".

Well, if looks matter to you Polaris X looks better than other irc clients

irssi

>>9

If the guy thinks mIRC is bad, he's gonna hate irssi.

Irssi is awesome, but it's not for your typical Joe.

>>11

Irc is awesome, but it's not for your typical Joe.

Fixed.

>>12
Do you have any idea how many stupid people there are on IRC? And I'm not even mentioning the ones that think mIRC is the protocol.

>>13

True, but through wise choice of channel it is possible to avoid almost all of them.

they monitor irc also

bt is easier since the tracker holds lists of ips ready to harvest

ps irssi > bitchx

also for filetransfers ftp > all, and that is the only reason to be in touch on irc... not for dcc filetransfers over irc

I use BitchX, just because it's what I was raised on. mIRC has some programs for skinning it. irssi is pretty ereet, but it just isn't my style. Plus, it is kind of cool to say that you use *Bitch*X

BitchX is nice, but I was still a newbie when I saw irssi and never really considered changing back. Stick to what you know I guess, only a fuckin irc client.

rofl
I CAN'T USE IRC, IT IS NOT PRETTY.  NEEDS MORE BEVELLED EDGES AND FLASHING LIGHTS.

idiot.

Konversation is pretty good as a GUI IRC client. Certainly nicer than xchat.