When you consider the vast amount of users on IRC at any given time, it is a surprise that there is not a sea of IRC clients to choose from on the market. The small selection which is available lends itself to much hoopla and excitement when a new version is released. Here we will take a look at another client revision in the evolution of IRC. This month, we look at OrbitIRC version 1.24 Windows 95 version.

Orbit IRC is available from OrbitIRC's web site: www.entex-bus.com/orbitirc/index.htm . This is a well done site that has all information for a user to decide whether He/She wants to download the software. Information on the front page of the site includes an introduction, download and support links, a list of features, a list of links to show 'how to', and the many 'screen shots' help the new/unfamiliar user understand what is being discussed. In Orbits previous link they state the new site is faster, I barely had time to get a sandwich and a milk as I download their software at a steady pace of 2.4-2.6 kb/s, For a grand total of 11 mins for a 4+ meg file! Bravo!

Installation was especially slick. I had problems previously trying to install the BETA version, but was assured a few weeks ago that the latest released version was going to be very easy to install. Again, Orbit has done a good job here. One may wonder why the download file, (orbit124.zip) was zipped as it only saved about 2 KB. However, the only users that will experience real annoyance will be those with no UnZipping software. One real bonus was the import mIRC settings tool. This worked great and drastically cut down on the setup time needed. That's a big 10-4 Orbit!

Once installed, one notices a very different departure from the other chat clients. Gone is the endless toolbars and the pull down menus. Orbit has placed all their eggs in one basket, so to speak, and their interface both for setup, and for use reflects this. As I stated before, installation is very easy, however I found the setup slightly harder (but not that much). That having been said, I suppose I should discount that comment even more by stating that I have been using the other IRC client(s) for years now and the dinosaur in me may be emerging! LOL. I suspect that new users will find the setup procedure no harder than in the other clients. Orbit has gone a step further actually explaining in their HELP what the user needs to do, and why, as opposed to a dry 'how to'.

Once set up, Orbit does take some getting used to. This was a challenge to me and I am sure it will be to most experienced IRC client users. This is only due to the radically different user interface. Orbit states on their home page that the interface is uncluttered and no windows are hidden by other windows. This is well stated, once I got over the 'difference-in-the-interface' shock, I found it very easy and truly smooth. Placement of the windows and user area's were well thought out. Choosing what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go took a little bit of getting used to, but was easily done once I became comfortable with the menu tree on the left hand side. I was however quite let down with the inability of being able to have multiple windows open on the desktop either tiled or hidden.

Orbit is near the top of the pile when it comes to ease of customizing. Very easy color and font selection give the user a quick way to tweak the system to what the find pleasing. Personally, I really enjoyed changing colors with the 16 million color rainbow type color selector they have employed.

For those that are in the know where it comes to RAW server commands you may appreciate the dedicated RAW window. Personally, the only time I would use it would be to script out a few lines to identify myself. But again, it is nice that its available.

!Draw was a feature that I was looking forward to trying. My wife and I got in a DCC and gave it a whirl. Getting pretty comfortable with Orbit at this point, we tried it. We sent goofy little pics back and forth for a few minutes and soon realized that we probably would only have a very limited use for this feature. It may be a worth while idea for people who may need to share ideas and could explain using a doodle.

However, It was very easy to use and performed as expected.

I was again disappointed to see that they (IRC software developers), have not integrated chat color compatibility. I had chatted with a friend who was testing some color popups in mIRC5.02, and found I was getting only ASCII letters numbers and symbols. Colors in IRC, however cerebral, are a fact of life now and I would recommend that Orbit find a way of getting them in there as I can think of a large number of people who will not use this client just because of this.

The automated script writer was a huge bonus. I really wish this had been around when I did not know how to script because it would have saved me MEGA minutes figuring out and testing scripts. New users should find this as a real hook for the easier way to learn scripting. I think that other chat clients should follow this lead (if they can!) hehe. WTG Orbit!

The file server also has a setup window which is a real plus. Orbit has really put some thought into this one. Once a new user figures out what a file server is, he/she has the ability to set one up in no time. This feature could also have been used years ago. J

To summarize, I found orbit easy to set up and configure. It took a bit of trial and error to get it to do what I wanted but was worth it. For the new user, it could be a worth while investment. It remains to be seen whether or not experienced users will convert to OrbitIRC. The 30 day trial should be expanded to 60 in my book, but then, I am no marketer! Orbit does need to get over this "one window at a time" thing. I found having to click to see a different window all the time quite an annoyance. That being said, OrbitIRC 1.24 was well worth my time. I am going to keep the evaluation copy and explore it further. My feeling is it has a way to go before it really has a shot at pleasing the masses. But, whatever effort was put into developing it was well worth it and I look forward to future releases!

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