Well, in terms of activity, I honestly don't think the IRC room is active anymore (I think the most "active" users on the channel aren't even from this forum, but I'm not 100% sure about that). However, that's just because it's not getting very much promotion.
Perhaps switching servers (furnet is -okay- I guess, but not for webclients) could help the chat gain some activity, so flash-based clients will be allowed.
Or we could stay on furnet and use a web-based client that furnet recommends (such as
PJIRC).
Honestly though, I'd rather have the room on a network like
Anthrochat, since their policies overall are less strict, and the IRCOps mind their own business instead of trying to moderate and control other people's channels (usually only a problem with larger channels, but if we ever start promoting the chat with a link to a web based way to connect, I imagine this channel could be very large).
If we are to use a web based client to introduce novice users to IRC, I suggest that we either use what anthrochat has
already provided or embed CGI:IRC, PJIRC, or some other web based client into the website. Also, we should promote users to use standalone clients like xchat (and xchat-wdk for windows users), mirc, or even browser extensions like ChatZilla (though it can run as a standalone client with XULRunner), as using a client is by far the best way to use IRC.
Just my suggestion. Anyone have feedback on my idea for switching to AnthroChat?