What is plaintext in my point of view:
Its simply text without any makeup or add-on, it is just an organic content. For example,

• A handwritten grocery list what our mother used to give to our father
• A To-Do List
• An essay/composition writing in our school days

Why plaintext is important?
– The quality of the content only going to get score here: there is no marketing by giving some beautification or formats.
– Less storage
– Ideal for long term data storage because Cross-Platform Compatibility
– Universal Accessibility. Many s/w using plain text for configuration files (.ini, .conf, .json)
– Data interchange (.csv – interchange data into databases or spreadsheet application)
– Command line environments, even in cryptography.
– Batch Processing: Many batch processes use plain text files to define lists of actions or tasks that need to be executed in a batch mode, such as renaming files, converting data formats, or running programs.

So plain text is simple, powerful and something special we have no doubt about it.

What is IRC?
IRC – Internet Relay Chat is a plain text based real time communication System over the internet for one-on-one chat, group chat, online community – making it ideal for discussion.

It’s a popular network for free and open-source software (FOSS) projects and developers in olden days. Ex. many large projects (like Debian, Arch Linux, GNOME, and Python) discussion used. Nowadays also IRC is using by many communities.

Usage :
Mainly a discussion chat forum for open-source software developers, technology, and hobbyist communities.

Why IRC?
Already we have so many chat platforms which are very advanced and I could use multimedia also there: but this is very basic, right? So Why should I go for this?

Yes it is very basic, but the infrastructure of this IRC is not like other chat platforms. In my point of view the important differences are Privacy and No Ads.

Advantages over other Chat Platforms:

• No Ads Or Popups: We are not distracted from other ads or popups because my information is not shared with any companies for tracking or targeted marketing.
• Privacy: Many IRC networks do not require your email, mobile number or even registration. You can simply type your name or nick name, select a server and start chatting instantly. Chat Logs also be stored if required.
• Open Source and Free: Server, Client – the entire networking model is free and open source. Anybody can install the IRC servers/clients and connect with the network.
• Decentralized : As servers are decentralized, it could able to work even one server has some issues and it is down. Users can connect to different servers within the same network which is improving reliability and performance.
• Low Latency: Its a free real time communication system with low latency which is very important for technical communities and time sensitive conversations.
• Customization and Extensibility: Custom scripts can be written to enhance functionality and IRC supports automation through bots which can record chats, sending notification or moderating channels, etc.
• Channel Control: Channel Operators (Group Admin) have fine control over the users like who can join, who can be kicked off.
• Light Weight Tool: As its light weight no high end hardware required. IRC can be accessed from even older computers or even low powered devices like Rasberry Pi.
• History and Logging: Some IRC Servers allow logging of chats through bots or in local storage.

Inventor
IRC is developed by Jarkko Oikarinen (Finland) in 1988.

Some IRC networks/Servers:
Libera.Chat(#ubuntu, #debian, #python, #opensource)
EFNet-Eris Free Network (#linux, #python, #hackers)
IRCnet(#linux, #chat, #help)
Undernet(#help, #anime, #music)
QuakeNet (#quake, #gamers, #techsupport)
DALnet- for both casual users and larger communities (#tech, #gaming, #music)

Some Clients-GUI
HexChat (Linux, macOS, Windows)
Pidgin (Linux, Windows)
KVIrc (Linux, Windows, macOS)

Some IRC Clients for CLI (Command Line Interface) :
WeeChat
Irssi

IRC Clients for Mobile :
Goguma
Colloquy (iOS)
LimeChat (iOS)
Quassel IRC (via Quassel Core) (Android)
AndroIRC (Android)

Directly on the Website – Libera WebClient – https://web.libera.chat/gamja/ You can click Join, then type the channel name (Group) (Ex. #kaniyam)

How to get Connected with IRC:
After installed the IRC client, open.
Add a new network (e.g., “Libera.Chat”).
Set the server to irc.libera.chat (or any of the alternate servers above).
Optionally, you can specify a port (default is 6667 for non-SSL, 6697 for SSL).
Join a channel like #ubuntu, #python, or #freenode-migrants once you’re connected.

Popular channels to join on libera chat:
#ubuntu, #debian, #python, #opensource, #kaniyam

Local Logs:
Logs are typically saved in plain text and can be stored locally, allowing you to review past conversations.
How to get local logs from our System (IRC libera.chat Server)
folders – /home//.local/share/weechat/logs/ From Web-IRCBot History:
https://ircbot.comm-central.org:8080

References:
https://kaniyam.com/what-is-irc-an-introduction/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGurYNb0BM8

Our daily meetings :
You can install IRC client, with the help of above link, can join.
Timings : IST 8pm-9pm
Server : libera.chat
Channel : #kaniyam

ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN, DISCUSS and GROW

Public Speaking – It’s just two words, but it makes many people feel frightened. Even I did. I felt embarrassed to stand in front of my schoolmates/colleagues.

Usually, I am present in college during working days, but if it’s seminar days, you can’t find me – I will be absent. But whatever you try to avoid in life, one day you’ll face it, right? That was what happened in my interview. Fear! Fear!!

But how could we compare an interview with public speaking? Why not? If the interview panel has multiple people, and they ask you questions you may or may not know the answers – but at least in public speaking, you will speak about what you know.

I still have that fear. So, I decided not to run away but FACE THE ISSUE. A few good people supported me in overcoming this situation. First, my professor Muthu Sir, who advised me to join open-source communities, specifically ILUGC and KanchiILUGC. He said, “Just join, they will take care of you if you follow them.” I joined, and under Mr. Shrini’s guidance, I started doing simple projects. In between, he asked me to give a presentation at an ILUGC meet.

I said OK immediately (I already wanted to overcome my fear). I felt I accepted in a rush, and suddenly had mixed feelings like run away But he was so fast – I received an email to give my name, and the formalities proceeded. The real race started in my heart.

My inner thoughts: “What, Sugi? What are you going to do? The subject is fine, but can you speak in front of people?”

I said to myself, It’s OK, whatever, I have to do. Then, Muthu Sir, Ms.Jothy, friends, classmates, my family and all others encouraged me.

I still remember what Muthu Sir said: “What’s the worst that can happen? One, you can do well. If so, you’ll feel good and confident. Two, you may not do well, but that will push you to do better next time. Both outcomes will yield good and positive results, so just go for it.”

Then I practiced alone and felt OK. I had some paper notes in my hand, but when the laptop screen turned on, my heart rate went up, and my hands started shaking. When people asked me to start, I said, “I am Sugirtha,” and then forgot everything.

Thank God I at least remembered my name! Fine, let’s see the paper – What is this? I couldn’t read it, nothing was going inside my brain. It felt like Latin, which I don’t understand. I threw the paper aside, started recollecting, and said, “HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language.” Inside, I thought, Oh my God, this is not my first line to say, I thought I would start differently. For about 5 to 10 minutes, I fumbled with the points but didn’t deliver them as I expected. But when I started working on the code, I felt OK, as I got immersed in it.

Finally, it was over. There was still some tension, and after some time, I thought, I don’t know if my presentation was good or not, but at least I finished it. Then, after a while, I thought, Oh God, you did it, Sugi! Finally, you did something.

Now, I wonder if I get another chance, could I do it again? Back then, I somehow managed, but now… the fear returns. But this not the same as before which I feel I can overcome easily. So to overcome this I have to do more and more. I don’t want to prove anything to anyone, but I just want to prove something to myself. For my own satisfaction, I want to do more. I feel I will do better.

If I can, why can’t you?

What is IRC?

IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. Its simply text messaging service (real time online communication service) and even with hundreds of people at once in fractions of a second messages are getting shared.

• Actually it is a protocol for real-time text messaging created. It is mainly used for group discussion between the like minded people in chat rooms called “channels” (Ex. #Kaniyam) although it supports private messages between two users.

• Mainly this is used in lots of open source community knowledge share – Ex. If you want to chat with a developer from linux, firefox etc.

• The Chat Process works on a client-server networking model.

Wait! Wait!! Is it a Protocol or Chat App?

Its a Protocol which is implemented in client server for the text chat. WeeChat is one of the terminal application for IRC client and Pidgin is one of the Desktop client app.

Founder & Year :

IRC was developed in 1988 by Jakko Oikarinen in Finland

Merits/Advantages :

Simplicity : IRC is a simple, text-based environment for communication, without the multimedia features of other platforms. 

Community building : IRC is ideal for interest-based or topic-based chat rooms, and is designed to foster a sense of community

Decentralized : IRC isn’t controlled by a single company, so anyone can set up their own server and network. 

Privacy : Users can control their privacy with access levels, invitation-only channels, and one-on-one messaging. 

Accessibility : IRC is accessible across various platforms, including desktop, laptop, and mobile devices.

Speed : IRC is a good option for fast text-based chat apps with a geographically distributed user-base, as it has low latency and can transmit large amounts of data quickly. (Simply its all texts – so speed is high).

Flexibility : IRC can be used for a variety of purposes, from critical operations to gaming discussions. 

File sharing : IRC clients can be used to create file servers and share files with other users. 

Everything is Fine, But already we have so many Apps for Chats, Why IRC?

So many People have so many answers, but according to me,

Reading is a Best Habit compares to watching video (unless it is necessary). It will increase our imagination capacity. Imagination is the key factor for our more technologies and inventions.

Environmental friendly – We are making so much of carbon footprints everyday. A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions.

We are wasting so much of energy (electricity and other resources) while sharing tons of files or images or videos everyday.

I am not asking you to stop watching TV or using internet etc…

Why don’t you contribute to our Mother Earth at least by doing this simple help.

I want to Know More about IRC :

• https://kaniyam.com/what-is-irc-an-introduction/ (in Tamil Blog)
• https://goinggnu.wordpress.com/2020/04/14/why-i-like-irc-internet-relay-chat-even-in-2020/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGurYNb0BM8 (in Tamil Video)
• https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc2810
• https://chi.cs.uchicago.edu/chirc/irc.html (IRC Protocols)

Thanks Note: My sincere Thanks to our Professor Mr. MuthuRamaLingam and Mr. Shrini