Skype vs. IRC - the ultimate battle!

[tacopill]

Which do you think is better, Skype or IRC?

[R7308xx]

Are they free?

[Tappy]

Both are free, skype kinda nags you to buy skype credits though.

[tacopill]

They are both free, but in difference senses.

IRC is an open protocol, that is supported by hundreds of client software. (This means, that you can use one software to to talk to another, without being hindered on converting how the software stores or passes messages on). There are some software clients that are commercial (I.E. cost money), but there are several free one's. In adddition, there are many embedded tools, that allow you to just load up the web page, and there it is. (See This thread).

Skype is free, but is very closed-source. Skype has professional versions and services, that both cost money (like making Computer-to-landline calls); but also allows for Video Chating, IM'ing, file transfer, and cool animations; all for free. In order to use it, you need to download and install it.

I hope this explains it in a well-informed, unbiased manner.

[TurtwigA]

I really prefer IM personally, though out of the two, I like IRC. /can't use Skype.

[Greenpickle]

Uh, they're both forms of IM.

[Tina]

First chat client I really used was IRC. I still use it, and I'm pretty fond of the mostly text-based simplicity. Scripts are also fun! And timers. /timer 0 0 /say EXCESS FLOOD IN THREE, TWO, ONE.

Skype is also great, though. I only ever started using it in the past couple of months or so, but I don't have many complaints about it.

As far as other IM clients go, I've used AIM and still do, but I really just use it to keep in contact with some friends and that's it. It's... okay. :V

[Maxite]

IRC is nice, but it is not very friendly to people who aren't familiar with IRCs workings. Luckily a lot of the IRC functions are the same or similar on Skype.


Frankly, for the purposes of NIWA, I prefer IRC. However, I'm a practicalist, and we don't have an active IRC chat but an active Skype chat, so I think we might as well just stick with what we have.

[Tappy]

The only real thing new users would need to know is how to register their nick, and join a channel. If they were made either hop, aop, sop or admin that's a different story.

Otherwise it's just typing like you do in skype.

[tacopill]

I have an AIM account (fordwel5, if anyone want's to contact me), but i get the feeling AOL has pretty much given up on it.

I also have a Yahoo (which includes YIM) account, MSN account, a facebook, and a gmail (all of which is managed through my digsby).

of the two, i personally prefer Skype for the following reasons:

* it logs your chats,
* keeps your contact info,
* allows for voice and video chatting, and
* is easier for me to read when it comes to the conversation's text.

[TurtwigA]

Uh, they're both forms of IM.

Sorry, I meant AIM.

[Mari-Illustrious-Makinami]

I prefer IRC.

[HavocReaper48]

I prefer IRC.

+1.

[SuperHamster]

Each has its advantages and disadvantages in my opinion. IRC is, I think, the most efficient way to communicate with others, because anyone can access it at any time without hassle. No need to add contacts or install any programs - just log in and you're set, unlike Skype. However, Skype is much prettier, has a much shorter learning curve (it took me a while to become accustomed to IRC), and has a bunch of nifty extra features, such as playing games with others or uploading files.

For personal communication with friends and such, I prefer Skype. For the purpose of NIWA, though, I'd choose IRC, simply because I think it's the most efficient way of communication.

[Greenpickle]

However, Skype is much prettier, has a much shorter learning curve (it took me a while to become accustomed to IRC), and has a bunch of nifty extra features, such as playing games with others or uploading files.

These all entirely depend on the IRC client you choose.

[Xizor]

I've used Skype for years and have known about IRC for about a decade but have never been a fan. I prefer Skype between the two and above most other forms of video, audio, and text chatting.

[KidIcarus]

skype is better because more people are on it