I've been thinking about whether IRC, XMPP, or other protocols are the best solution to the instant-messaging protocol. The best solution would be to get rid of instant-messaging, using only forums and voice-chat, but this is unrealistic especially amongst normies, thus, we should just stick to better alternatives. I am leaning towards IRC or XMPP being the true best alternative to mainstream IMs like Discord, Snapchat, etc. IRC is amazingly simple and (usually) lacks registration requirements, but a properly configured XMPP server could easily go further than IRC ever will due to it being similarly lightweight and having more features, although it also depends on the client heavily. IRC also works better over Tor and I2P, whereas .onion and .b32.i2p XMPP servers may have a harder time functioning properly especially if they cannot figure out a way onto the clearnet, unless they have intentions to *only* use darknets.
There are other options like Matrix, Tox, etc but they are often worse than IRC or XMPP. Matrix has the advantage of being easier for normies, but only because XMPP clients and servers are less than convenient at times. Tox might be good for some schizos, but XMPP would almost certainly still outclass it due to its ability to receive messages when offline (if properly configured). IRC is more stable, but I would argue that XMPP can outbeat IRC if done right. I currently use both, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, if not for the rest of my time on the internet, especially for IRC since I still prefer it over XMPP due to it essentially always working.
Mumble is fine to discuss too albeit technically not an instant-messaging protocol. Also, theoretically, XMPP could do voice+video calls as well, but that very heavily depends on the client supporting it, meaning it currently isn't realistic to expect it unless you both use the same server + client, or, you and the person you're talking with know how to actually do things properly. For IRC I use WeeChat, for XMPP I use Profanity, both are terminal clients ofc.
There are other options like Matrix, Tox, etc but they are often worse than IRC or XMPP. Matrix has the advantage of being easier for normies, but only because XMPP clients and servers are less than convenient at times. Tox might be good for some schizos, but XMPP would almost certainly still outclass it due to its ability to receive messages when offline (if properly configured). IRC is more stable, but I would argue that XMPP can outbeat IRC if done right. I currently use both, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, if not for the rest of my time on the internet, especially for IRC since I still prefer it over XMPP due to it essentially always working.
Mumble is fine to discuss too albeit technically not an instant-messaging protocol. Also, theoretically, XMPP could do voice+video calls as well, but that very heavily depends on the client supporting it, meaning it currently isn't realistic to expect it unless you both use the same server + client, or, you and the person you're talking with know how to actually do things properly. For IRC I use WeeChat, for XMPP I use Profanity, both are terminal clients ofc.
