[Bug 38694] No XChat in Dapper

[Tony Yarusso]

Public bug reported:

Affects: xchat (Ubuntu)
       Severity: Normal
       Priority: (none set)
         Status: Unconfirmed


Description:
Apparently someone made the decision to remove XChat from the default
installation for Dapper.  This is important because it is the means new
users use to reach the various IRC channels on Freenode and all the
support those have to offer.  I understand that Gaim is still included
and supports IRC, but this has a few problems as an alternative.  First,
new users are not going to thing that Gaim Internet Messenger in their
Applications menu has anything to do with getting support.  Second,
setting up, connecting to, and using IRC isn't entirely intuitive.
Third, many people simply don't like Gaim's IRC UI.  Fourth, it does not
have the built-in setting like XChat had to automatically join #ubuntu
when first started.  In short, a brand new user is significantly less
likely to manage to find the support of the IRC channels on their first
boot of Ubuntu without XChat included and not knowing the ropes pretty
well already.  The IRC channels are an absolutely vital way of helping
new users, and must be very easily accessible.  Inclusion of XChat is a
big step towards that.  (Further UI setup for first boot are an issue as
well, but that's a separate issue.)
-- 
No XChat in Dapper
https://launchpad.net/malone/bugs/38694