Matrix

For those who like the http://matrix.org environment for communication, there is https://matrix.to/#/+osgeo:matrix.org community.

Access to community rooms is mostly public. Many rooms are bridged already to corresponding IRC channels (read section below for how to effectively use that bridge).

In case of problem, you may contact User:Strk.

OSGeo currently host a Matrix homeserver

Using Matrix as an IRC client

To effectively use Matrix as an IRC client for use with OSGeo channels, you should register your nickname with Freenode services and instruct the Matrix bridge to hold that identity for you. To do so:

1. In matrix, open a room connection to @freenode_NickServ:matrix.org, this will connect you to the freenode nickserv
2. If you haven't done so already, enter the command register [<email>] <password>. This will register your nickname (needs you to follow instructions sent by email to complete the registration)
3. Enter the command identify [<nickname>] <password> This will identify your matrix user with Freenode
4. Open a direct chat (in matrix) with @appservice-irc:matrix.org
5. Use !storepass nickname:password to store your irc nickname and password with matrix to send automatically when you login to matrix

Then restart your matrix session to test

More info can be found about Matrix and IRC can be found on https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-appservice-irc/wiki/Guide:-How-to-use-Matrix-to-participate-in-IRC-rooms