IRC? WTF?

Apparently, certain tasks related to my new job involve Internet Relay Chat. IRC? People still do that? According to this circa-1990s site:

Sure, the Web is nice for finding info and E-mail beats snailmail hands down, but when you’ve been wondering ‘where the others are?’, then IRC is what you’re looking for.

Forgive my stereotyping, but aren’t chatrooms the domain of philandering married types and teenage-loving old men? Aren’t the normal people instant messaging or surfing blogs or something?

I feel so dirty.

PS: If Thing 1 and Thing 2 are reading this, please don’t fire me. I will do what it takes to get the job done, even if that means mingling with unsavory Internet people.


10 Responses to “IRC? WTF?”  

  1. Gravatar Icon 1 Terrence Ryan

    Sometimes one of the Things says “IRC” but means “IM.”

    Have you confirmed the semantics.

    (Just trying to save you from having to plumb the depth of alternet.)

  2. Gravatar Icon 2 Becky

    Thanks, Terry, I will confirm with the Things. It would be quite a relief to avoid the “alternet.”

  3. Gravatar Icon 3 Scott

    I’m on IRC all the time and I’m normal.

    Aren’t I?

  4. Gravatar Icon 4 Clair

    “Alternet?” What, is this little blogging world too good for some people? Isn’t the internet all about sharing ideas, information, and porn without being subjected to the real world’s class system that keeps the proletariat down? I guess not. I certainly hope that you won’t have to leave your bourgeoisie blog-world.

    And if I was your boss, I wouldn’t fire you but rather make you stand in front of everyone on Friday and sing the Eagles fight song as punishment.

  5. Gravatar Icon 5 Jay V

    **gasp** I didn’t know I was unsavory!!!

    My life is RUINED!!

  6. Gravatar Icon 6 Glenn

    I have installed IRC on every computer I have owned for the past 7ish years.

    In that time I have used it.. once.. for about an hour.

  7. Gravatar Icon 7 Becky

    Yes, Terry, ’tis indeed IRC. Clair, it’s people like you that I’m trying to avoid by skipping the “alternet.” And Jay V too.

    Glenn, stop installing chatrooms on your computer!

  8. Gravatar Icon 8 Ryan

    No it’s definately IRC that they mean. We’re so hardcore that we conduct our business in the underbelly of the Internet amongst the hax0rs and the uber-nerds.

  9. Gravatar Icon 9 Dan

    I met my wife on IRC. If I had known your thoughts on the matter, I would have intentionally given bad Quizzo answers!

  10. Gravatar Icon 10 Becky

    Yeah, but when was that? Back in the day, IRC was pretty cutting edge. My complaint is having to use it in 2005. Please do not withold Quizzo answers!