“Internet relay chat” it was the first major messaging protocol on the Internet. You would register an IRC number that was unique to you, and join one of the many different chat channels that anyone could create. The name of the chat would be what the intended topic of discussion was supposed to be, and show you how many people were in the room. Often times completely unmoderated, with a few select users having the rights to ban people if they happen to be in the chat at the time.

It was a wild time.

Close, Metaphor Refantasio

Still can’t use debit cards though.

Same! I always keep my emergency wool cloak in my car. Saved me tons of times