I stopped using it because nearly everyone I knew switched to AIM which I also did eventually. As common as IM is now, I recall being amazed at the concept of

I stopped using it because nearly everyone I knew switched to AIM which I also did eventually. As common as IM is now, I recall being amazed at the concept of not having to sit on IRC all day to talk to my friends. And just to brag, my number was 522621