But I did a simple websearch for "how to set up a freenode server." The very first 3 things I saw (what fits on the screen) were a page full of syntax, a 13 minute YouTube video, and a page where the first thing that's written is literally "Internet Relay Chat is a difficult thing to get used to, especially for people who were born into this world of full graphical interfaces and messaging web apps that handle user interaction seamlessly."

For the average user, creating a channel does not "take seconds" if you need proof, discord. Its popular because it is so easy to use and the numbers back that up

[–] Damage@feddit.it 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Uhm, freenode already exists, you don't have to set up another server just to create a channel. There are clients that are embeddable into webpages as well, so joining an existing channel could be as simple as opening a page for a new user.

Otherwise it's just install a client, select freenode and join the channel.

[–] yokonzo@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I challenge you to find a non tech savvy person who can do this In under 10 minutes.

Lemmy is absolutely an echo chamber of the tech minded, you have to remember most people wouldn't be able to even get on this platform because that "little bit of effort" is way too much for them

[–] Damage@feddit.it 1 points 7 months ago

Lol everybody did this in the '00s and '10s. It's literally "copy this text in that field".
Stop treating people like idiots.