When thinking about architecture for Tilemap Town features one thing that pops into my mind is "wait a minute am I reinventing IRC services here?"
I think the real problem with IRC services was that it was sort of clunky having *core* features like name and channel ownership be bots you message, but that kinda stuff is actually integrated into the server here.
I guess the concept of non-core features in the form of server-side bots for all users to use is harmless, though.
@NovaSquirrel
IRC is definitely a protocol -- collection of standards and convention -- that *grew* more than was designed... it doesn't hide its scars, warts, or duct-tape; and it's got a LOT of that. 🤐
Despite that, it's had staying power. There's something to be said for simplicity, standardisation, and ... well, not having the entire thing hinge on the fate of one company.
@Tamber IRC's definitely important for being such a well-established and well-supported thing. At the same time I feel that any new protocols should take advantage of the hindsight we have now.
@NovaSquirrel Definitely. Things have come a long way since the early days, or even the heyday, of IRC; but there's important lessons that can be learnt from it (Both as it was specified, and as it was actually used)
(...it still makes me boggle that a chat system designed within the last few years would omit something as fundamental as '/me', for example!)