There are some problems with using IRC chat. The largest is that the chat logs are available to whoever owns the servers. If those servers are located in a country with Anti-Marijuana laws, the chat logs could be used as evidence in a courtroom.
The current chat software is an internal add on that keeps all logs on the server that is located in a "safe" country.
I'm very familiar with IRC. It's a very nice piece of software if you are talking about anything legal. It is a very, very dangerous piece of software if you are discussing things that are not legal. The server logs can be used as evidence. The cops do this all the time with people who do porn and the like.
MarP, I advise STRONGLY, not to use IRC for the chat in this group. It will open the door to any cop that can get a warrant for a server located in the USA or any other country that would honor a USA request for electronic evidence.
Sorry Frank. It's sure a nice piece of work, and I use it for chatting about my lawn problems and the like, but I wouldn't use it to discuss growing MJ for a minute.
There are also thousands of hacks for it available in the hacker networks on the Internet. If you have the time for a one shot hack, you can dump any IRC chat servers logs with or without their permission.
I've used IRC since it was first written. When they migrated to a windows format, they also enabled about a zillion hacks.
Lets stay with the software for chat that has NO outside logs or software.
Thanks guys. Just my two cents worth.