Re: IRC Considered Harmful

[stvn]

I have no problem agreeing with all your points, they are spot on. However, this does not diminish the ways in which IRC is far superior to all other mediums. IRC is real time collaboration between $n people in a given channel on a level that cannot be achieved with the slower and more asynchronous nature of mailing lists. It is not a permanent medium, but a temporary one. But yet it is through IRC that collaboration and inspiration can happen and lead to the creation of more permanent things. I have watched the birth of many a module take place before my eyes on IRC as people toss around ideas and discuss possibilities. Sure you can do this on a mailing list, but it lacks the excitement of real-time interaction that IRC provides.

And while you are correct that IRC can get cliquey, entry into these cliques is very often as simple as hanging around and making an effort to contribute. Sure you have to endure some abuse and ribbing here and there, and it is certainly by no means as civil as a well tempered mailing list, but if you can stick it out, I think that it is worth it.

As for the loss of information. There was a time when I was answering almost all the questions on #moose, now I hardly answer any because others have taken up the roles. In my opinion, this is the permanent storage of IRC, the brains of the people in the channel. And while this is not (yet) searchable by Google, I would suspect that a properly asked question on IRC will always produce more good answers and useful knowledge for all involved (the asker, the answerer and the $n other people in the channel who will read it).

As for drinks and discussion, I am all for it. If you are ever in the tri-state area let me know :)