XChat 2 Build Lineup for Windows

Build Lineup Chart updated 20 May 2010

These Windows builds of XChat are listed by activity and the builder's name or organization. Unless otherwise specified, builds listed are unofficial, free (available at no cost, built with code licensed under the GPL), and have plugin capability. Included scripting language and other plugins are listed. Plugins are compatible with any build.

If you know of or are participating in a build not listed, please let us know on the XChat forum and at #xchat @ freenode.

included\build	Zed (official)	PChat	zerostress	SilvereX	Sergio	Daemon404	Psyon
status	$20 US/AU (active)	free (active)	free (active)	free (active)	free (inactive, 2.6.x)	free (discontinued, 2.6.x)	free (inactive, 2.4.x)
GTK	static	dynamic	shared OR dynamic	shared	static	static	dynamic
scripting	Perl, Python, Tcl	Perl	-	Perl, Tcl, Ruby	Perl, Python, Tcl, Ruby	Perl, Python, Tcl, Ruby	-
plugins	exec, dns	exec, dns, xTray	-	exec, dns, Winamp	dns, xTray, Winamp	exec, dns, xTray, Winamp, uptime	-
other	free trial, SSL, DCC64, DCC server, spelling, emoticons, faster text rendering, and more...	Win32 portable version	-	SSL, ipv6	SSL	SSL, DCC64, DCC server	-

Information for Windows Builds

• Destinations and documents to keep in mind:

  Official

  XChat Site

  Forum

  Script List

  Windows Readme (answers many questions)

  FAQ (answers the rest)

  Changelog

  CVS Log

  Wiki entries

  XChat on Wikipedia

  XChat on LinuxQuestions

  Reference

  Set command var list: possible arguments and values

  Editing text events

• Note that a $20 license for the official build entitles one to free downloads of future official versions and gives Zed that much more incentive and means to work on the project.

• "Dynamic GTK"

  means that GTK libraries are separate from XChat. Dynamic GTK can be shared: installed separately and used by applications other than XChat; or included with XChat: able to be updated separately from the main program and shielded from changes in any shared GTK or other application.

  "Static GTK"

  means that no separate installation is required.

  The interface has a more-native appearance and feel more responsive than with dynamic GTK.

  Static builds do not suffer from some of the visual bugs present in other builds.

• XChat 2.8.0 and later includes its own tray icon feature. xTray from Mike is a tray icon plugin useful for older builds or features XChat might not have built in.
• Distributions from ActiveState or official developers for the Perl, Python, Tcl, and Ruby programming languages are linked to from SilvereX's download page which correspond to the plugins included with that build. A compatible distribution of a language is necessary, in addition to a corresponding XChat plugin, in order to use a script in that language. Note that some plugins may only be compatible with a certain distribution of a language's environment. Please read its instructions carefully.
• If you didn't install a plugin which comes with the build of XChat you're using and you'd like to use it now, you can run the installation program again for your current version of XChat and select the new options. Existing settings are generally preserved, but make a backup of your config directory for safety until you've confirmed a proper reinstall. You can copy over backed-up config files or directories as needed (but only when any running instances of XChat are not using that config directory), or test a config with the --cfgdir command-line argument.
• Don't like XChat's light-colored theme? Change it. You can edit colors (from the preferences) and edit text events (from the Text Events dialog) yourself, or you can use use a pre-made theme – like the vintage black theme. To install a theme:
  1. Exit XChat.
  2. Back up your config directory. (This step is highly recommended, but not necessary.)
  3. Uncompress the archive to your config directory and allow it to overwrite existing files. (All files will have the .conf extension.)
  4. Start XChat again.
  Do not edit conf files manually. Every possible setting is exposed in the preferences, menus, or set command. XChat only uses the conf files to save its configuration on exit. Changes made while it is running will be lost, and errors in conf file formats (like mismatched line endings) can lead to data loss.
• Support for "DCC64" means that DCC transfers can be used for large (multiple gigs) files. Support for a "DCC server" means that other clients can be allowed to request and automatically download files of your choosing (usually accessed through the dccserver command).
• Obsidian² fserve (DCC file server), a Perl script, is available from ender`.
• For technical guides, try SilvereX's "Hackers Guide" to compiling XChat, or (older) Pu7o's "Guide to compiling XChat using MiniGTK and Daemon404's "Guide to Compiling MiniGTK".