IRC is well proven, you can find a choice of clients, etc. but how does it work if you want to set up a private website chat like a Mudchat?

IRC servers are easy enought to find, one comes bundled with my Linux install dvd but when I've looked at IRC, I've found reference to chanels, net joins etc, seems like becoming part of a network of servers, something I wouldn't want and the whole thing, at least on a quick read, sounded so political, it just wouldn't be worthwhile to try setting up for that sort of use.