Thanks for the very helpful answer, it's just what I wanted. :)

I do use IRC a lot, and I'll start using erc per your suggestion. One question, is there any way to get spell-checking on it? I'm hoping the solution is as straight-forward as x-chat's (this screenshot demonstrates it fairly well: http://i42.tinypic.com/rw2ljr.jpg though, I don't require fancy multi-language spell-checking, just an English spell-checker will do for me)

I wish I had a friend who used emacs! On that note -- anyone in this HN crowd who uses emacs from Milwaukee? I'm willing to gift copious amounts of chocolate (or whatever else you prefer) in exchange for even short periods of guidance. :)