Incompatability between IRCds is primarily a problem for server admins and not users. Granted, the massive variation in modes etc. is annoying, but I don't see how that affects anything I've said.
Of course if we want to list some other reasons why hex colour codes would suck then a couple come to mind:
- Not many people (on IRC) know hex very well, if at all. Someone deciding they want a darkish orange colour probably aren't going to know/remember what to type, and probably wouldn't even recognize something like BB6600 as being what they wanted if they saw it.
- It's long. Hex codes are fine in HTML because it's all done at design time, however writing a 6-digit code to change a colour mid-sentence is not a pleasant experience.
eg. 8,04 becomes FE0,FF0000 (assuming 3-digit syntax is allowed) and when using non-256 colour then we end up with codes like A849E2,589204. Doesn't exactly roll off the fingers does it?
- If 3-digit syntax is allowed, then the age-old problem we have with current colour codes comes back with a vengeance. Whereas once the problem was limited to numbers like 410 being interpreted dfferently from the users intentions, it now becomes a problem for hex.
How many times do you think this problem would be brought up in these forums?
'I typed "It's a AFAfabulous idea" and it came out the wrong colour!'
There are probably plenty more issues, but these just happen to be the ones that occurred to me while I posted.
