ReDiSoG Animated Chat is designed for conversations between users of a common local network, but it can also be used to chat on an IRC channel that you've previously connected to the server. The program is totally configurable, with skins to change up its interface available on the author's website. You can also add fun animated icons to your conversations and change your status between online, on the phone, and unavailable. You can even send and receive files or use the program to read texts. And all of this is completely free!
