[zzo38computer]

XMPP uses XML. IRC is simpler and can be used without any specialized software, and was designed like that, so that you can use without specialized software (I have used IRC on computers before installing a IRC client)

[KaiserPro]

typing PONG every ten minutes isn't entirely practicable

[zzo38computer]

I am aware, and is why I normally install a IRC client soon, but when I want to ask something first before installing a IRC client, it helps anyways.