[Qwl]

I guess similar argument can go for GitHub/BitBucket versus internal Git server, yet GitHub and BitBucket are very popular for private repositories.

[Helianthus]

Uh. I don't see the relation. You can run your own IRC server.

[rekoros]

Hi, I'm the other LeChat founder. The issues with running an IRC server:

1. you still have to run it somewhere

2. you have to support it

3. there's no search (grepping through logs is not search)

4. you have to use screen/tmux to not miss anything

5. your CFO will probably never use it

I think there definitely is a need in a chat tool that is "easy" to use. Having said this, I think IRC is invaluable, just in a different context.