For an alternative, download an IRC client. I use X-chat version 2.0.10c. Alternatively, you can go to https://www.mibbit.com/ for a web based client. Use one of the esper.net servers (optical.esper.net/6667, chaos.esper.net/6667, nova.esper.net/6667, etc.) for the desktop based client. Once connected to esper, type "/join #cigar " to connect to the room. On mibbit, select Esper from the "connect" drop down, then pick your nickname and type in "#cigar" for the channel.