Sad with the future of the IRC

Julio · Guest

Yes, I want say something to all the IRC guys, I read a lot about ircd version this days. Commercial and not commercial, but the real is that all the networks have less people all the days.

We see the news about MSN(WebTV), and the use of chat over there. If we, toghether don't open more our tools, and think in integrate with messenger systems and h.323 protocools can be that this was the last days of the IRC.

Sincerely

JulioBell

MSN(WebTV developer group)
... too

magpie · Idler Joined: 18 Jan 2004 Posts: 454 Location: Essex, UK

Are you absolutely sure that all the networks have less people these days?

Sure, that's true of certain well known networks like DALnet, but others are going from strength to strength (the top 4 are still growing: QuakeNet, EFnet, Undernet, IRCnet). There is also a proliferation of small, more private or personal, networks.

What do you mean 'open our tools'? Undernet and QuakeNet both use open source IRC server software, and to a certain extend open source services too; I can't really comment about the other 'big two'. I'm not really sure integration with other messenger systems is necessary anyway, software like trillian has been integrating clients for some time and I don't really think that's had any effect on the IRC userbase.

Jason · Posted: Apr 09, 2004 7:10am Post subject:

I've noticed IRC users steadily growing over time.

Here is a yearly graph:

Ignoring the abnormal bumps in the graph, it is clear the userbase is climbing.

Here are the "big 4":

While not as clear cut, there is no question that they are not on any noticeable decline.

Add to it, that we've been seeing a steady stream of 50+ new networks per week being submitted to SearchIRC, growth can be seen not just in userbase, but number of networks too.