[quote=@Kiri]
We should really incorporate a live chat, [@Spades].
[/quote]

Seconded! 

In my experience, Mibbit works pretty well, although it is pretty barebones. As far as I know, all you have to do to create a channel is enter its name and bam, created. Although I haven't been on in a while, so it might have changed. I AM NOT AN EXPERT