Benefits and features of mIRC by Erica
A comparison of using the "standard" Java chat accessed via a hyperlink with the mIRC chat client method

The following provides a sampling of some of the features and benefits of mIRC.
While not a comprehensive list of all mIRC funtions, it attempts to give an overview of some of the major highlights.
mIRC is one of the best, if not the best chat program around.
Some folks might initially be hesitant to use it because they feel intimidated by having to download, set up and learn their way around a new program.
However, let me assure you that the step by step instructions on the mIRC website are particularly easy to follow
Alternatively for more in depth yet still easy to follow illustrated instructions follow the steps on the
Setting Up mIRC Page
Either way you should find that mIRC can be set up quickly, with very little difficulty.
Most people access the Gordon Lightfoot chat room through a Java based browser window via a hyperlink.
Although the browser window might seem easier at first, since its just a click away, I believe that mIRC is far superior and I use it exclusively to access the Friday night Gord Chats.
Below are several reasons you might want to consider using mIRC as your prefered method of chat

• Superior appearance
  
  1. mIRC provides a large clean layout, with easy to read text.
     Some people find the Java chat's browser window text, small, greyish and hard to read. Other than the bold feature, it provides only one style of font.
     mIRC on the other hand, features a wide variety of font style choices.
     
  2. Although color can be changed while chatting through the Java chat browser window, the colors have to be reset every time text is sent. With mIRC, colors and fonts can be set permanently to whatever the user finds visually appealing and can be changed whenever he or she wants. In addition to being able to change color of text, background color can be adjusted as well, for optimal viewing enhancement.
  3. The Java chat's text comes in one size only, while mIRC text can be adjusted to a number of different font sizes. This a great boon for those who might have difficulty reading small print.
  4. Also, the flow of typing in the Java chat appears static or "jumpy." Typing in mIRC is smooth and fluid, which makes the typing quicker , easier and provides for an improved chat experience overall.
  5. Consistant Nicknames: Not a vital bonus but it is worth pointing out that using the browser/Java applet method entails entering a nickname every time one signs in.Once you have configured mIRC and entered your preferred nick this is then utilised on every subsequent visit to the chat room
• reliability
  Another great thing about mIRC is . I have never seen a more stable program . While connection might occasionally be lost, unlike most other programs, I have NEVER seen the actual mIRC program shut down while in use. This means that reconnection is much quicker than with a browser window, since with mIRC you just have to click on the "connect" icon rather than restart the entire program again. Anyone who's had trouble keeping their connection while accessing the chat through a browser window can certainly appreciate this feature.
  
• constant Connection
  One particularly convenient aspect of this feature is that you can minimize the chat window. go off and check your e-mail or whatever and when done simply maximize the chat window
  
• No obsolescence
  In addition, unlike some other programs in which older versions become obsolete, requiring repeated downloads of newer ones, mIRC seems not to have this problem. While there are more recent versions of mIRC, I still use the same one that I downloaded almost 5 years ago with absolutely no problems.
• Sharing Files
  Also, any file on a user's hard drive can be shared with other users and sent directly from mIRC, using a function called DCC.
  You simply select the chatter you wish to send a file to
  then click on the DCC menu on the mIRC toolbar and select "send"
  and are presented with this dialog box
  
  find and select the file you need to send
  (it may well be easier if you copy the file first to either your desktop or if small enough to a floppy)
  Tell your recipient to make a note of where the file is downloading to
  probably c:\program files\mirc\download\ or find it using "start and find"
  Press the send button
  It can be fairly rapid a 66kb file jpeg took 1 min 16 seconds to complete using my 56K modem
  When complete the recipient is given the chance to immediately click on "open" to view the file
  This convenient feature saves time by bypassing Email or the need to run another chat/file sharing program.
• Another perk, with mIRC a user can be in multiple chatrooms simultanously. Indeed using the /list command it is possible to see a long list of other chat rooms with the current occupancy and samples of current conversations
• in addition to the above mentioned facets, mIRC offers other neat little features such as "copy and paste" albeit using a rather strange highlighting technique
• there is also the ability to "slap other chatters with a live trout" If you're curious about that last one, you'll just have to download mIRC to experience it yourself!
  You can go to www.mIRC.com or click on this link: mIRC - An Internet Relay Chat program to get started.
  Happy Chatting.