Internet Relay Chat, a protocol and system for real-time text messaging and communication over the internet.
Acronym created in 1988 by Finnish computer programmer Jarkko Oikarinen, standing for Internet Relay Chat. The name reflects its function of relaying messages between users across the internet in real-time.
IRC was revolutionary as one of the first systems to enable real-time group conversations online, essentially creating the blueprint for all modern chat platforms and social media. Its decentralized, server-based architecture influenced the development of the early internet culture, fostering communities that transcended geographical boundaries and creating the foundation for online collaboration.
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