In addition, people are free to try new identities behind this text-only wall. This may be beneficial to the person who is trying out this new identity, but it could also be harmful to the people who placed their trust in this person. The people who had become close to this handicapped person, and used her as an inspiration, were devastated. Granted, this did not happen on IRC, but it is highly possible. Even with its warts, IRC is still a positive thing.
People can log onto a server and find thousands of other people looking for conversation.
Meetings can occur across continents, and ideas can be shared in an efficient way. Prejudices are torn down, and friendships are forged. Its popularity may be declining due to things like ICQ and America On Line, but like Usenet, the community will still thrive. Like Usenet, it is one of the remaining vestiges of the old NetVille days, and because of that, will continue to be a big part of the Internet. Back to Top Back to Psybersite Sources Reingold, Howard.