Debug,

Thanks for the comments. I still think we are talking chalk and cheese here.
Quote:
In 1990, you only saw movies in Cinema. In 2005, in TV, Cinema, DVD, VCD. Why this? Because you have more options.

Are you suggesting the Cinemas should use DVD's because it will improve the cinema experience? That is the type of analogy that you are applying to mIRC.

Will my IRClife change if webcam etc support is added to mIRC? I really don't know - my crystal ball has flat batteries. but I do know that I will have a larger application that will hinder me from doing other things at the same time (due to memory bloat, possible driver conflicts, etc).
I dread that I will have to fend off requests from "kiddies" who will pester ppl for their picture because they know that the application comes with built in support (remember - we are talking about IRC here - remember the text chat protocol!)
I dread that the implementation of added complexity will introduce more avenues of attack.

You may argue that added webcam support is relatively easy (link to existing API etc etc etc). If this is the case, why not write a DLL that you can distribute to mIRC users who want this? This way, an efficient support application can be provided without bloating mIRC.

My basic argument is that everybody using mIRC (including those on WINE etc) have an operating system that is capable (with the right drivers/applications) of supporting the tools that re asked for here. Why build these applications on top of another application which was designed for an entirely different purpose?

I have never disagreed with the premise that some people on computers would like to use webcams, whiteboards, sounds etc etc. They already have the option to do so. And they can do so at the same time they are using mIRC. Windows allows users to have multiple applications open at the one time.

Oh, I know this may be a little before your time, but in 1990 I could already watch movies in places other than the Cinema. I could certainly watch them on TV, and I could watch them on "video" - I think the Beta option had actually died out by that stage. I remember the days when we used to get the projector out to watch movies at places other than the cinema. Do I have more options now to watch movies? No, I just have more options in the formats I can use to view it.

Cheers,

DK