This client is what I personally recommend to users who may be coming from aWindows/mIRC background (welcome!) or who want a more serious IRC client withall the latest bells and whistles, full support, etc.Snak is the most rich in features and has been actively developed since the1990s, with dozens of updates over the past few years while the traditionalgold standard Ircle has essentially stood still. Snak appeals to people whoprefer a streamlined interface without sacrificing all the “cool” features.Everything for each channel is contained in one window, docking windows will infact allow multiple channels to share a window to maximize your precious screenspace.The channel list feature is particularly fast and easy to use (unlike Ircle).Very easy to set up and configure. Supports both the scripting language fromthe classicircII client for *nix (UNIX, Linux, etc.) shellaccess acounts, so you can tap into the wealth of existing ircII scripts, aswell as Ircle-style Applescript scripts.There are also automated responses to events so that you can set up script-likeactions without being a scripting expert.For those who like such things, fully customizable appearance themesare available.Supports multiple connections, and for each connection, uses ircII-style serverlists which will automatically try the next server in a list until it succeeds(Ircle only allows one server to be defined for each connection).Guardian feature permits adult control, for what that’s worth(Ircle has none).MP3 list feature facilitates downloads.Excellent built-in help menu, balloon help, and bundled help manual (Ircle has none). $29 shareware (covering updates over 2 years) is a great valueand an example of howshareware really can work.