Real-time discussions

[Christina Hellström]

> From: Søren Krarup Olesen

> IRC is the original chat, introduced back in the 70s I think. Extremely
> simple for the beginner and still provides advanced functionality for
> the more experienced user. As Gilles mentioned, chatting is in general
> for kids (especially Messenger), while I find IRC more "adult like". In
> fact IRC is also technically very different from Messenger since by
> default you write to a forum (the channel/chatroom). Also all kinds of
> moderations are possible by the maintainers.

Just a slight correction. Not that it really matters, but since IRC is
another great Finnish invention, I just had to... :)

IRC was created in 1988 by Jarkko Oikarinen. There were several chat type
programs before that, although mainly on BBS systems, and they were mainly
local (had to connect to a certain BBS to be able to chat). For more
information, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat

I'm a Usenet & mailing list type of gal myself, IRC is for the new kids
(well, I use it at work to chat with my co-workers). :) The problem with
real time chats is that you really need to be more or less in the same time
zones as most of the chatters, or you are left out (nobody there when you
wake up), or the discussions become more localized.

//Christina