Early 2000s, writing your own client to join freenode was a programmer's rite. Sad to see the network implode. And no, I won't use libera or whatever.

> And no, I won't use libera or whatever.

Any special reason? AFAIK, it's effectively the same network run by the same people, just under a different name.

[deleted]

One letter too close to the L-word /s

How and why did it implode? I always have a feeling of wanting to go back to basic chat rooms for linux and all but today it´s more like a chore than anything else.

The name freenode went away, but the actual operators moved over -> https://libera.chat/ . So you can still join!