Project Description
Irc.Net Client is a WPF based IRC client which goal is to be a real alternative to mIRC, but more user-friendly with a modern UI and a powerfull extensiblity system.
It need the .Net 4.0 Framework Client Profile to work.
Objectives
The User Interface will be in full WPF in order to use Microsoft's last graphical rendering technologies for Windows-based application. It'll use the Office2010-like Rubban to follow microsoft's new vision of user experience. Anything should been visible in one of the tab, without having to navigate in several option dialog like in mIRC.
It also use AvalonDock for offering a customizable interface, like having two channel open in the same time in the way you like, without having to resize it manually.
This software will use MEF to ensure a complete extensibility. Even core functionalities like server management or chat are only plugin that add a windows in the AvalonDock and a tab in the Rubban, working together with the shell (which provide the IRC functionalities).
Thanks to that, you can create your own plugin or even replace a core plugin: you have access to every functionalities of the software without having to modify the shell and its UI.
It will use the MVVM pattern and XAML theming, this allow you to change everything of the UI without handle the C# code. Just create a plugin that will change the theme.xaml file for change colors of the application or add some pictures in the UI. You can also change everything in the UI, like replacing the rubban by an old-style menu, by modifing the XAML file of the concerned part.
Planning
A first release will provide the shell and two core functionalities soon.