What is IRCwx?

IRCwx, stands for IRC web extension, is a protocol designed to bring IRC into web paradigm providing native support for web based authentication, registration and management of user accounts, browsing of channels, profiles, fully integrated web-based chat, and other features required by a modern web user.

It is based on IRCx protocol so most of the protocol is similar to IRCx.

Why the need for new IRC protocol?

Standard IRC protocol was built for chatting on old internet model. Standard IRC came out when web was not much in use, web technology was simple, and desktop applications were more suitable for interactive communication for the internet. However, web technologies have grown and daily more and more applications are moving into web paradigm. Therefore, IRCwx protocol is made to natively support web paradigm.

There have been web based applications that tried to fit standard IRC into web model, but they have their issues since standard IRC protocol is not build for it; hence, this protocol tries to extend, improve, and standardize for web.

Why the need for web based IRC/Chatting?

Web has grown in technology and use, therefore, lot of application models are moving toward web paradigm. For example, msn tried to do this with IRC chatting with “msn chat” and I liked the way they integrated with website and made it easier to browse chat rooms in a browser and join chat rooms, and user profiles pages. It was a very nice change brought to IRC by MSN/Microsoft; too bad MSN Chat got closed. This protocol is inspired by MSN Chat.

Is this protocol in use and online with server and client?

Yes, IRCwx server and web chat, which come out in 2006, is currently running on Buzzen Network. You can check it out:  http://www.buzzen.net/roomslist.aspx?cat=gn

What about backward compatibility with IRC protocol and can I use standard IRC client?

I’ve tried to make it backward compatible, and mIRC can be used to chat out of the box. However, to use all the features, a client with full support for IRCwx protocol should be used. Although, mIRC with little scripting can use registered accounts, view profiles, etc.... Lot of people on buzzen use mIRC to chat.

Can I download the server and run it for my network?

Initially server was public and it was available for download. Buzzen adopted the server in mid 2007, and there was a concern that if other chat networks use it then it might be detrimental for Buzzen. At that time Buzzen was the only network using this server, so server was taken off from download. It may or may not be available for download in the future; this is something I can’t say for sure at this moment.

Why you are building a desktop client when this is for web paradigm?

Web technologies still have limitations compared to desktop application (for example flashing a window in taskbar and title for notification), so for some advance features that can’t be done in browser application I’m building a desktop client which is called “Sabertooth IRCwx Client.”

Yes, protocol is free to use for server, client, or any other application.