A new IRC client (but don’t call it an IRC client) is being developed by Linux Mint.
The Ubuntu-based distro currently includes Hexchat in its default software set. IRC isn’t as trendy as Discord or Telegram but it is a free, open standard that no single entity controls, is relatively low-bandwidth, interoperable, and efficient.
But as I reported in February: Hexchat is no more.
Hexchat quitting the chat leaves —I so badly want to type leafs there— Linux Mint with a dilemma and an opportunity.
The dilemma being: “should we continue shipping an IRC client, and what role does it serve?” and the opportunity being: “could we replace it with something better?”.
Well…
Jargonaut has joined the chat
Have you ever questioned why Linux Mint already includes an IRC client? The primary reason is to enable users of this distro to communicate, pose queries, and attain support from other distro users in near real-time.
Such a conversation doesn’t necessarily have to be conducted through IRC. Linux Mint boasts numerous support channels, including a rather busy forum.
However, considering that their official IRC channels stay active, and that users and developers alike routinely use them for conversation, planning, and offering support, the absence of Hexchat should not deter newcomers from using this channel.
This spurred some contemplation from the Mint devs.
IRC, as it currently stands, is not the most user-friendly option. It involves the use of complex commands that seem almost magical to the uninitiated. The process of onboarding is anything but straightforward. Moreover, the protocol doesn’t inherently cater to modern conveniences like sharing media, clickable links, among other things.
Despite this, IRC boasts of being a swift, time-tested, open-source, and flexible protocol. It may lack the showiness of Discord, but it is free from unnecessary social compulsions or business restrictions. Being free and immediate (there’s no need to register to use it), it serves perfectly for use ‘as and when needed’.
Therefore, the development of a dedicated “chat room” app, Jargonaut, set to replace Hexchat, has been initiated.
The ultimate aim of Linux Mint isn’t to craft a completely feature-packed IRC client, or even an IRC client per se. Jargonaut just employs IRC as its foundational protocol.
The idea is that users won’t need to know what IRC is nor learn its syntax, as the app won’t respond to standard IRC commands or let users join other channels. When the app is opened only Linux Mint’s official support channels are present.
So the idea is to make a real-time support chat app that’s built on IRC but adds bells:
“[Jargonaut] will support pastebin/imgur via DND, uploading your system specifications, troubleshooting and many features which have nothing to do with IRC,” says Linux Mint lead Clement Lefebvre in the distro’s latest monthly update.
“Hexchat was a great IRC client which helped us make a relatively good support chat room. We’re hoping Jargonaut will help us make this chat room even better and much easier to use.”
That’s intriguing!
The majority of XApps created by Linux Mint are hosted on Github. That’s where you should go to keep up with Jargonaut’s current status, view the code, compile it, or contribute with your valuable skills to its development.
- It will be feasible to select which channels the app connects to using gsettings overrides via the GUI in the form of a promoted feature for the end-user. Technically, users should have the capability to do that as well. ↩︎