C4 - Tiny chat software

About C4

C4 is one of the smallest chat clients with only 4kByte in size. Actually we don't know of any chat software that is smaller. You can use C4 to chat with friends, it's freeware and it's fun! The chat combines instant messaging and peer-to-peer chat (P2P), it uses the Pichat protocol and runs on Microsoft Windows.

Free download

Download C4
C4 v1.2 - simple client (4kB)
Perfect for beginners and professionals.
(Windows/Linux with Wine)
Download Katzi4
Katzi4 v1.2 - Katzi version in pink (~4kB)
For girls and fans of cats.
(Windows/Linux with Wine)
 

Screenshots

C4 preview
C4
Katzi4 preview (girly mode)
Katzi4
 

Comparison with other chats

C4IRCICQAIMMSNPidgin
Super smallYes YesNoNoNoNoNo
Download in one secondYes YesNoNoNoNoNo
Single click installYes YesNoNoNoNoNo
Highly explosiveYes YesNoNoNoNoNo
Also available in pinkYes YesNoNoNoNoMaybe
Can't believe it's trueYes YesNoNoNoNoMaybe
Many featuresNoYes YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes Yes

Quick start

After downloading C4 simply run the application and start to chat. The chat connects to Pichat Europe automatically and uses your username of your operation system to log in. Don't forget to say "Hi" when joining a chatroom.

Controls

  • F1 - Help (this webpage)
  • F2 - Time stamp (on/off)
  • F3 - Window always on top (on/off)
  • F5 - Reconnect (or connect address in the inputbox)
  • F11 - Maximize window
  • ESC - Minimize window
  • Page up/down - Scroll chat
  • Ctrl + Home/End - Go to top/bottom
  • Mousewheel - Scroll chat
  • Up / Down arrow - Copy last written lines into the input box
  • Ctrl + L - Clear chat window
  • Ctrl + B - Write bold
  • Ctrl + P - Write colored (add '1', '2' or '3' for red, green or blue)
  • Ctrl + O - Switch back to orginal color and font
  • Pause - Boss-Key (hide chat)
  • Shift + Pause - Boss-Key (hide/unhide chat)

Commands

Short description of the most used commands:

  • /nick name
    Change your nickname.
  • /msg name message
    Send a private message to another user.
  • /ping name
    Ping someone. A sound or a visual effect will inform the other user.
  • /join room
    Enter the specified chatroom.

The complete list of commands is available in the Pichat User Handbook.

Command line

It's possible to use an optional argument to specify name, password and server.

Examples:

c4.exe eu.pichat.net
c4.exe eu.pichat.net:9009
c4.exe nick@eu.pichat.net
c4.exe nick:password@eu.pichat.net

Betas and other variants

  • C4s v1.2 - Chat with smileys and automatic hyperlink detection.
  • C4 Installer - Automatic installation of several variants. (by Wolf)

Greets to

Marcel - For your design ideas.
Wolf - Continue to write feature requests. ;)