Once connected to the server, you have to join a channel. No, we do not. There is no need to as there are literally hundreds of servers around the world that are open to the public. I'm a chat addict. Chat is arguably the most addictive thing on net.
Moderation is the key to life, and so it is with chat.
Or maybe avoidence is the key. I've avoided chat altogether because I don't have time give to give to yet another Internet resource. If you don't have time to burn, be careful.