Back when I used to have a Windows-only home network, I used a program called "Intranet Chat" to enable my family members to chat with each other across the home network. This program, does not have a Linux version. (I have not tried Wine, yet, but for the sake of this thread, let's just leave it out of the picture for now.)

Are there any Intranet-chat programs that are compatible with both Windows and Linux? I want to set up a chat network between 2 Windows computers and 1 Linux computer.

Has anyone come across a program like this in the past?

Why not just set set up an IRC server then use any IRC client to connect.

I'm willing to try that, however then the IRC server computer would have to be on all the time in order for anyone to use it, correct?

Any suggestions for good IRC servers? Or, any good tutorials on setting one up?

Yes the server would need to be on anytime people wanted to chat. There is info on irchelp.org about setting up a server - I looked into it once but then it wasn't needed. http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/ircd/

If you are more comfortable with using a webserver and php you could use something like:
http://www.phpheaven.net/rubrique4.html
then just use your web browsers to chat.

You can also download the chatserver for Linux.

http://hem.bredband.net/alivor/ichatsrvd-0.21.tar.gz

This should be the version ported to Linux for your chat-server.

Kindest Regards

Kpopup.
Echat.

maybe these can help

IRC server is better you will be irc operator kinda great, changing hosts, killin lusers, dealing with services install irc server

I also prefer IRC. I've been an network admin about 2 years.

But in this case: 3 PC's where only 1 is Linux it might be better for the user to first try to understand how to compile and run certain software on his Linux before running an IRC-server.

I had to deal with many newbies trying to run an IRCd on there linux-box. I had to do all the hard-work while they just paid the box.