ICQ will stop working from June 26 (icq.com)

Article summary

The article announces that ICQ will stop working from June 26, although the full text of the article is not available. The news has sparked a discussion about the nostalgia and legacy of ICQ, as well as the comparison with other messaging platforms. Many commenters are sharing their old ICQ numbers and expressing surprise that they still remember them. The conversation also touches on the topic of open protocols and the longevity of platforms like IRC.

Main themes

• ICQ shutdown
• Nostalgia and legacy
• Open protocols
• IRC and alternative platforms
• Messaging platforms
• Internet history

What commenters say

• The shutdown of ICQ is a nostalgic reminder of the early days of the internet and online messaging.
• Some people still remember their old ICQ numbers despite not having used the platform in years, likely due to repetition and frequent use.
• IRC, as an open protocol, will never die because it can be self-hosted and is not dependent on a single company or commercial interest.
• The rise of platforms like Discord has led to a decline in the use of IRC, but some argue that IRC still serves a niche community and will continue to exist.
• The idealism of the early internet, which valued open protocols and decentralization, has given way to commercial interests and walled gardens.
• Some commenters believe that open-source alternatives like Matrix and Zulip offer a more sustainable and feature-rich alternative to proprietary platforms like Discord.
• The discoverability of open protocols and platforms is a challenge, and some argue that this is a key factor in the success of commercial platforms like Discord.
• Despite the limitations of IRC, some users still prefer it and are actively using it, with some even switching to new services like IRCcloud to improve their experience.