In addition to the above. Both matrix and discord can provide IRC bridges which provide the same "always-on with history" functionality. I have been using the m

In addition to the above. Both matrix and discord can provide IRC bridges which provide the same "always-on with history" functionality. I have been using the matrix.org bridge to libera.chat for a few weeks. One can join any libera.chat channel this way. Other matrix server might configure a more limited room-to-channel setup where not all channels are bridged.