Hotline surpasses FTP because users are able to chat, post news articles, and do much more. Well, IRC differs in the fact that it is very dynamic. Once you have connected to a server, your nickname is registered with the server. Ops have the ability to kick a user from his or her channel, ban a user, and make other people co-operators. Ops can also set topics.
Topics are lines in channels that usually tell what the current conversation is about.
With IRC, you can join chat communities from around the world without leaving your home or office. Check out IRC's Home Page .