Freeware replacement for chatzilla

Question

I use ChatZilla as my default IRC client. Sadly, when you restart Firefox, ChatZilla restarts too. And I restart Firefox every now and then, because if you leave it on for too long, it hogs RAM.

So I'm asking, what's a good replacement for this? I love the way ChatZilla handles settings, how easy it is to connect and have a list of commands executed upon certain actions.

I've heard good things about Irssi, but I wanna know if there are any others I might be missing out on.

Note 1: I am on Windows Vista

Note 2: Don't recommend mIRC, that's shareware. I am well aware that the larger part of mIRC users never actually pay for it after the 30-day trial, but it's against my principles. No mIRC!

Answer 1

Use Chatzilla. You don't have to install it as an addon to firefox. You can install it standalone using XULRunner: http://chatzilla.rdmsoft.com/xulrunner/

Answer 2

XChat 2 for Windows:

Answer 3

my favorite:

HydraIRC is an open-source IRC client with an attractive and easy to use interface. It supports DCC Chat and File transfers, Connecting to multiple servers, Dockable Floating Tabbed Windows, Autohiding Windows, DLL Plugins, Channel Monitoring, Message Logs, Event Viewer, Themes, Color schemes, Buddy groups, Audible and Visual Notifications , Reg-Exp Highlighting, Favorites and much more.

HydraIRC is portable.

if you prefer a 'messenger-style' IRC client, have a look at Pidgin.

Pidgin is freeware and a portable version is available.

Answer 4

Miranda-IM, the lightweight multi-protocol IM client. Fully modular, so no overhead from protocols you never use (ICQ? I've never met anyone who uses ICQ!), and a lovely implementation of IRC. Many channels over many servers, configurable display (both layout and colouring), and full plugin support (including one to add lua (I think) scripting support, if that's your thing), it's a lovely messenger, and an equally lovely IRC client.