Do we really have to have this conversation again? There's discussions galore on "irc dead" if you do a search. Here's
one.
Summary:
EFNet, the network that was probably around when you started IRC, peaked not 15 years ago, not even 10 years ago, but only around 5 years ago. In fact, there are more users on IRC now than there were 10-15 years ago (perhaps combined). So firstly your premise is completely false. We can stop here. Yes, there is a downward trend if you look at the later tail of the graph, but there are so many more users it would take decades before IRC reaches your "peak" years. And guess what, there are still large networks that are growing, here's one:
IRC doesn't need your help. Especially not from features that no longer make it IRC in the first place. You make video a major component of IRC and it won't even be IRC anymore. You should be trying to save IRC because you like
text only chat, not because you want to save the letters "I" "R" "C". You don't need to be loyal to a protocol, just a feature set. If you don't like the feature-set then you shouldn't be trying to "save IRC", you should be leaving it to find the features you want-- trust me, webcam chat protocols are out there.
