I've been on IRC since the early '90s. Its greatest value for me is in giving and getting immediate help on technical issues, which is why I mostly hang out on

I've been on IRC since the early '90s. Its greatest value for me is in giving and getting immediate help on technical issues, which is why I mostly hang out on freenode these days. As far as non-technical subject go, it's been hard for me to find quality conversation on IRC, though it does happen once in a blue moon. Still, sometimes it's nice to just chat about whatever with people you've known for a while, even if it is usually pretty superficial.