I´m an IRC addict, using irc since 1999, started as normal user at MSN IRCx Network; Local Operator at ViaIRC (Brazilian Network); Global Operator at ViaIRC and finally Co-admin at ViaIRC. The network is currently down since 2005. So, I moved to Rizon network, currently as normal user, an unofficial helper and operator in a lot of channels.
Here the stats for Rizon Network:
There are 21 users and 14406 invisible on 1 servers
79 IRC Operators online
5349 channels formed
Current global users: 14427 Max: 16968
The stats show 1 servers, but there´s 27 linked servers.
The network provides Customizable vhosts, security bot... and a nice Help Staff
ASAP I will make an "instructable" to explain how to use IRC, mIRC (the irc client), basic and advanced commands...
The pros using the IRC Channel are:
Channel can be bigger as 100+ users, or smaller as 0 user.
Provides fast replys, and some fun...
news, messages, replys, questions... whatever... faster.

File transfer... like p2p.
Deliver "memos". To offline users.
Cons: Need some help, to use... Not easy like, forum or webchat... But in this I can help

So... if you can:
#SpudFiles @ Irc.Rizon.Net
Ah... the network has a Java based client
www.rizon.net
* basic initial commands:
/join #Channel - Obviously... to join.
/quit - No comments
/nickserv register VALID EMAIL PASSWORD - To register your nickname
/nickserv help - Help about nick
/chanserv help - Help about channels
[]´s