I have decided that when I start an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) client, that I would set the IRC client of my choise (MIRC for Windows) to auto-join a channel called interaction-design on Freenode's servers. I usually join IRC servers and channels when I'm feeling social and there's not much of reason to be outside. Once IRC is started, I let the client (MIRC) run in the background even when I'm not actively paying attention to the channels.

The reason I decided to start auto-join a channel called interaction-design channel on Freenode IRC servers is to have a way to have real time (twitter's definition of real time is not instantaenous enough for me to consider it to be real time) conversations with professionals, enthusiasts and students concerning the field of interaction design, user experience design and related fields.

To make accessing the channel easier for those new to IRC, there is a web client that connects directly Freenode IRC servers. In the following link, all one needs to do is enter a nickname (it doesn't have to be your real name,) enter the channel name interaction-design and then (at the risk of stating the obvious) click the connect button to join the channel:

http://webchat.freenode.net/