Here’s a random software recommendation for Mac OS X users. A ProTip, if you will. If you’re into IRC at all, you should check out Linkinus, which is developed by Conceited Software. I bought it last spring and have been using it ever since. Yes, I understand the concept of buying an IRC application borders on the insane, what with X-Chat being free and all, but the shareware period is long enough to decide if you want it or not.

The main innovation of Linkinus, which costs £12.50 (right now, around $18.54), aside from its customizable user interface, is this pane system it uses. It divides the main window into as many panes as you want. In each pane is a chat room, meaning that you can follow several different rooms simultaneously. (I typically follow What.cd’s room, HDBits’ room and 2600′s room.) It’s pretty neat, otherwise I wouldn’t waste your time with this post. It’s also a fairly esoteric application, so unless you’re searching MacUpdate or VersionTracker for “IRC” you’re not likely to come across it during your daily Internetting.

So yeah, if you’re looking for a better-than-average IRC app be sure to check Linkinus out. And no, I don’t know the developers from a hole in the wall, I just thought some of you might like it.