I spend some time on Freenode as it has many useful channels and people that can help you.
I like IRC even though Discord is a strictly superior experience. I currently use Matrix and Element client to connect to IRC Freenode channels I care about.
Previously I used Textual IRC client and ZNC network bouncer (via LunarBNC) to always keep me logged in to the servers as well as it keeping history logs when I am away.
Here are IRC channels I frequent:
Textual keeps a command reference here.
/list
- Open channel list.
/msg *nickserv set <yourNSpassword>
- Lets Nickserv autologin you. Can then run /nick <your-nick>
to login.
If I ever get issues with logging in and me being Guest. I can:
/msg NickServ RELEASE <nickname> <password>
/nick nikivi
my nick
IRC Gitter - Connect to Gitter with Textual.
BotBot - IRC logs.
picobounce - IRC bouncer that does just what I want and no more.
Irssi - Modular chat client that is most commonly known for its text mode user interface, but 80% of the code isn't text mode specific.
RobustIRC - IRC without netsplits.
Quassel IRC - Modern, cross-platform, distributed IRC client. (Web)
IRC Browse - Web service for browsing IRC logs. (Code)
DarkScience - Group of enthusiasts with a shared interest in computer science. IRC server.
Freenode - IRC network used to discuss peer-directed projects. (GitHub) (Contributing to Freenode IRC Network)
The Lounge - Self-hosted web IRC client. (Lobsters)