The basic difference between iptables and ipchains?

When I run "lsmod" is see that ipchains is loaded. However, reading a few articles about nix firewalls, most focus on iptables. I would like to employ a basic set of rules and sites and build from there. I am very much the novice/newbie to building firewalls and would like to get a heads up as to the advantages/disadvantages to these protocols TIA, Curtis