John

• Users and Gratifications on IRC by Mui Kei, clOudS, 3/30/99
  
  

Sounds like an interesting project you've been working on. IRC certainly is a fascinating and compelling environment... in part due to it's unique features, as you mentioned. Here's an article that explores healthy and pathological internet use based on the types of needs that various online environments satisfy. Perhaps you would find it useful in your work:

http://www.rider.edu/users/suler/psycyber/getneed.html

• Uses and Gratifications on IRC by Mui Kei, clOudS, 4/20/99
  • citations by John, 4/20/99