Jan 21 2005
IRC == bad ?
I had some issues with the science behind the article, but the author has recently added a short blurb stating that he was using a purely un-scientific method for coming to his conclusions. Basically, he did a key word analysis of the language used on 60 of the largest IRC channels, and found that in almost every case the words in question were being used to try and sell pirated or cracked software.
I haven’t used IRC in a couple of years myself. I got tired of baiting immature, uneducated children, whether they were 14 or 40. Actually, I think I got out before it got really bad, with all of the attempts to compromise systems, install spyware or just use the channels as ways to introduce viruses. I’m a little surprised by the conclusions the author draws, but not that surprised.