I am one of the founders and administrators of a small (but 3+ year old) chat network known as StarLink-IRC (not too be confused with another net with a similar name.
I have (along with, I'm sure, others on various different chat networks) been watching some of the latest talkcity related commentary and activities. Most interesting are the rather procrustean actions taken (prohibiting all but their IRCs,etc.) taken in the supposed interest of net harmony. The actual intent (despite party line disclaimers) are obvious to everyone with half a brain ... and it isn't my intent to go into the merits of various chat nets here.
My intent is just to let the "webbies" out there know that there ARE still networks that provide a clean chat environment, friendly and accessible help .. and don't treat people like they are second class citizens because they have a certain method of connecting. Internet Relay Chat is supposed to be free (relatively speaking) and fun. There are those who would remove one or both of those characteristics for their own purposes, and, I suppose, the internet is big enough for all of us.
This is not meant as an advertisement for any particular chat network .. but more of a friendly reminder to those unhappy with talkcity (or any other net) that it is a FREE internet out there. Go find a net hat treats people with respect and actually tries to be helpful. None are perfect, but don't let the antics of one place make you quit chatting (or raise your blood pressure!)
We have picked up a number of webtv users (most recently those disaffected from talkcity it seems) and, whatever the common opinion may be elsewhere, we have found them to generally be polite, well behaved, and responsible netizens. Maybe we aren't seeing the 'bad' ones alleged to exist. On the other hand, maybe one gets as one gives.
I just wanted to throw in with the idea that folks shouldn't get disgusted with the IRC experience in general because of ONE net .. it will deprive you of an experience that you cannot get anywhere else .. a real time worldwide exchange of ideas.
StarLink-IRC Network
