irsecret setup

you can join temporarily using the web client at https://chat.secret.graphics/mibbit.html

but if you plan to use the chat regularly you might want a dedicated client

there are lots of good irc clients, but these are some nice ones I've used in 
the past for various platforms
===
HexChat
  https://hexchat.github.io/
  multiplatform gui client
irssi
  https://irssi.org/
  multiplatform terminal client
Revolution IRC Client
  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.mrarm.irc
  android client
AndroIRC
  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.androirc
  android client
LimeChat
  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/limechat-irc-client/id298766460
  ios client

walkthroughs
===

HexChat
---
- download https://hexchat.github.io/downloads.html
- install (making sure that various plugin languages are checked if you plan 
  on using them)
- follow the "Getting Started" instructions to add a server
  https://hexchat.readthedocs.io/en/latest/getting_started.html
  - for irsecret the server address and port are
    - irc.secret.graphics/6667 to use non-ssl
      or
    - irc.secret.graphics/6697 to use ssl
  - make sure when entering the server address and port you press enter while 
    in the field or it won't be saved
  - if using ssl
    - make sure "Use SSL for all servers on this network" is checked
    - the server uses a 10 year self-signed certificate, so make sure "Accept 
      invalid SSL certificate" is checked



bouncers
===
you only receive messages from the irc server while you're connected to it

instead of always leaving a client open and connected there are services 
called bouncers that will stay connected to an irc server as you all the time

instead of connecting to the irc server directly you connect to the bouncer and it'll 
send you all the messages that it received since the last time you were there