ChatZilla facts for kids
ChatZilla with Midnight theme and black motif
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| Developer(s) | James Ross, Robert Ginda, Samuel Sieb, Gijs Kruitbosch |
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| Last release | 0.9.90.1 (July 7, 2013) |
| Written in | JavaScript, XUL |
| Platform | Mozilla Firefox |
| Available in | 9 languages |
| Type | IRC client |
| License | MPL-2.0 |
ChatZilla is a special program called an IRC client. It helps people chat online in real-time. It's part of a bigger internet suite called SeaMonkey. ChatZilla used to be an add-on for web browsers like Firefox. It first came out in the year 2000. This program is cross-platform, meaning it works on many different computers. It's also open source, so its code is free for anyone to see and change. People liked ChatZilla because it looked the same on all computers. You could also change its look using CSS and add special scripts.
Contents
How ChatZilla Started
In April 1999, a group called Mozilla, which was part of Netscape, announced a new project. They wanted to create a chat program. This program would work with many different chat systems, including IRC. Other companies were also making their own chat programs at the time.
A programmer named Robert Ginda independently created an IRC client. He shared it with the Mozilla project. By September 1999, Mozilla planned to include it with their new browser. This chat program was named "ChatZilla." It became available in May 2000. You could use it with the Netscape 6.01 browser and Mozilla 0.8.
What ChatZilla Can Do
ChatZilla works on any computer that can run SeaMonkey. This includes computers with OS X, Linux, and Microsoft Windows. It looks and feels the same no matter which computer you use. You can also run ChatZilla by itself using something called XULRunner.
Key Features for Chatting
ChatZilla has many common features found in IRC chat programs.
- You can connect to many different chat servers at the same time.
- It has a built-in list of popular chat networks.
- You can search for and sort available chat channels.
- It can save your chat conversations.
- It supports Direct Client-to-Client (DCC) for private chats and sending files.
- You can change how the program looks and works to fit your style.
Smart Typing Tools
ChatZilla helps you type faster and more easily.
- You can press the `Tab` key to automatically complete nicknames. If a nickname is the first word you type, it adds a comma after it.
- You can also use the `Tab` key to complete chat commands. If you press `Tab` twice quickly, it shows you a list of commands you can use based on what you've typed.
Typing Window Options
The area where you type messages can be set in two ways.
- Single line: When you press the `Enter` key, your message is sent right away.
- Multiline: This lets you type longer messages with line breaks. You press `Ctrl-Enter` to send the whole message block.
Customizing Your Chat
ChatZilla uses JavaScript for running special scripts. Messages are styled using CSS. You can change these styles to make your chat window look different.
- You can pick a style from the View menu.
- You can drag a link to a `.css` file into the message window.
- You can use the `/motif` command to change the style.
Direct Connections
DCC lets users send files and chat directly with each other. The name of the person who sent a message appears as a link. Clicking on this link opens a private chat window with that person.
ChatZilla comes with SeaMonkey. It was also available as an extension for other Mozilla browsers like Firefox. You could even run it in a tab within Firefox.
Extra Tools: Plugins
ChatZilla offers many plugins. These are like small programs that add more features to ChatZilla. They make your experience better.
Some examples of these plugins include:
- TinyURL: This plugin changes very long website links into shorter, easier-to-share TinyURL links.
- googleapi: This plugin searches Google and shows you the top result right in your chat.
- cZiRATE: This plugin lets you share the song you are listening to on iRATE Radio with others.
Changes for Web Browsers
When Firefox Quantum (version 57) was released, it stopped supporting older add-ons. These older add-ons used special technologies called XUL and XPCOM. Because of this, ChatZilla stopped working inside Firefox. Work has started to update ChatZilla to a newer type of add-on called a WebExtension.
Different Versions: Forks
Sometimes, developers take an existing program and create their own version of it. This is called a "fork."
Ambassador
Ambassador is a version of ChatZilla that was created from the original. It works with web browsers like Pale Moon, Basilisk, and Interlink Mail & News.
See also
In Spanish: ChatZilla para niños
- Comparison of Internet Relay Chat clients
- List of free and recommended Mozilla WebExtensions
- List of Internet Relay Chat commands
