# what is irc

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is a text-based chat protocol created in 1988. it predates the web, Slack, Discord, and every other chat platform you've used. it still works, and people still use it every day.

## how it works

IRC is decentralized. there is no single company running it. instead, there are independent networks -- groups of servers that talk to each other. you connect to a network, join channels (chat rooms that start with #), and talk to people.

## why people still use it

- it is simple. text in, text out. no reactions, no threads, no read receipts.
- it is open. the protocol is a public standard. anyone can write a client, run a server, or build a bot.
- it is lightweight. an IRC client uses almost no resources. it runs on anything.
- the communities are real. many open source projects, Linux distributions, and technical communities have their home on IRC.

## the catch

IRC is ephemeral by default. when you disconnect, you miss messages. your nick disappears from the channel. you lose your scrollback.

that is the problem irc.now solves. a bouncer stays connected for you, stores messages, and replays them when you come back. you get the simplicity of IRC with the persistence of modern chat.

## major networks

- Libera Chat -- the largest network, home to most open source projects
- OFTC -- Debian, Tor, and other projects
- Rizon -- anime, gaming, and general chat
- EFnet -- one of the original networks, still running since 1990

## getting started

sign up for irc.now, create a bouncer, and connect. we handle the infrastructure so you can just chat.