If you own a Palm, you know by now that you need something to use to connect to the internet (Unless you own a i705). So I got the Palm modem as a alternate to getting a Wireless setup. Although this can seriously inhibit your times of being able to check stuff, it fit my budget. After installing the software for the modem and the web clipping tools I searched out a IRC Client in hopes that one even exsisted. My options were very limited as I only found three clients.

The IRC Clients

With the options already put in front of me, I looked at upIRC, ChatIRC, and apIRC (I should tell you now that apIRC is only a older version of upIRC). So I grabbed the two latest IRC Clients I found and hotsynced them into my IIIc.

Looking over ChatIRC I found a very annoying nag screen every 3 minutes telling me to register it. This gave me three minute intervals to even look at what was on the screen. It used a confusing tcp:// format to connect to the server I wanted (at the time klagenfurt.at.eu.WorldIRC.org) which would not even fit on the small space they programmer gave me to enter the server name. After getting past this point and finally logging on I had a confusing screen to use in chat. I couldn't tell if I was using Private Messages when I wanted and could not see the other people in the channel. After about 20 minutes of playing with it I gave up. My overall rating of just the Demo version was poor. It sucked worse then trying to use a telnet terminal on port 6667 to IRC!

Then I loaded up upIRC. Although again my irc server name would not fit, I had no problem putting the name in and did not have to enter it as a tcp:// (thank god). The only nag screen I got from upIRC was when I went to enter a server name in. Logging onto the server was a breeze, loaded up just like you would see in mIRC or BitchX, the lovley scroll of messages that lets you know you've connected. To me I see that as a good sign, it lets me know that the server is talking to me and I am connected. I fumbled with the grafitti area for a few minutes and found that all the commands where there when you write out part of the command. Then I joined #www.irc-junkie.org (Go figure) and talked for about 10 minutes with Asmo and Tojoe. Other then needing some practice with my writting on a Palm it was no different then using mIRC. I could join other channels and when something happened in another channel, upIRC would let me know (without nagging). Private Messages where effortlessly done, and overall, the program is well designed (Minus the space for a server name). My overall rating of upIRC would be that its not as good a BitchX, but definatly easy to use. Good program overall and I would recommend it.

The IRC Experience

After selecting upIRC for my client. I decided it was time to run some serious tests or IRC on a Palm. My first experiment was to see how much my palm could handle at once. First move was to jump off Klagenfurt (a WorldIRC server) and hit Undernet, where I knew there would be some serious scrolling. As soon as I joined a few channels I tried to follow the conversation. Easy, Even better then on my Phenom! Although the sceen is fairly small, I really didn't miss anything except for those people who love to be long winded in one send.
The next test was to use a few commands and see what happened. I already used /msg but what about the other commands. Most were there that I use. Actually I can't say that I noticed any commands missing at all. I use /nick, /join, /msg, /whois, /whowas, /me, and /part. The /part wasn't really necesary because there is a Close button on upIRC that parts you from the current channel. Overall I see nothing that a basic user would need that is missing (or an advanced user at that because I help in several channels, and even helped a few users while I was testing upIRC).

The Overall Results

I used upIRC for about a week before I wrote this. So far I have enjoyed using it and will probably register it as soon as I get paid. A few bad things and a few good things I wanted to list are below here for you to consider (Including Palm Inc.) and a list of what equipment I used while trying upIRC. Also I want to note that I had AIM running while I was on IRC on my palm.

Equipment used:

* Palm IIIc with Palm OS 4.1
* Palm Modem (33.6Kbps max) using the Modems 2 AAA batteries NOTE: The wireless 'piggy backs' only run at 19.2Kbps
* A Standard phoneline and my Local ISP
* upIRC for the testing (ChatIRC suxs, sorry folks)

Positive Notes:

* upIRC ran with no difficulties. Joined channels, shows the server status, and had all the commands
* Fun overall with chatting and easy to navigate around on a IRC Server
* I think when I travel next I can get to IRC with this method easily and might even leave the laptop and MPC at home!

Negitive Note: (Just because this list is bigger don't think it means I didn't like it, Just some Ideas)

* There is no method of connecting a Palm Keyboard and a Palm Modem to a Palm at the same time so I had to use either the tap keyboard or Grafitti method of input.
* My Palm Modem uses 2 AAA Batteries, Lets think this over for a minute, Why didn't they use AA's and 'Piggy Back' style modem
upIRC automatically disconnects as soon as you go to the Palm User Menu (AIM Stays connected, why can't upIRC?)
* I cannot watch several channels at once like I can in mIRC. maybe upIRC should create a mode similar to BitchX or maybe I should port BitchX into Palm OS. Besides BitchX is free!
* I didn't notice a way to set my user name for my host mask in upIRC. Its possible you could in the full version but I don't see anything saying it. This causes problems logging into the Services and Bots as they look at your User@hostmask to let you log in.

You can find upIRC at http://www.smittyware.com/palm/upirc/