Its funny how software development rotates in cycles. About five years ago everyone wanted to make an IRC client. If you were a geek worth your salt, you were either hacking on an IRC client, a window manager or a media player. It seemed that the world knew no limitations on IRC clients. Instead of just improving an existing client and refining it, the hacker community engaged in feverish itch-scratching that was somewhat anti-social – everyone hacked on their own client. It was evident that some l33t scr1pt f00 was the order of the day for the pointy-haired IRC client hacking fraternity.
Link: O'Reilly Network
