So what is this freenode? Freenode has been a non-profit organization or rather a group of people that managed the IRC freenode network right on from the early stages. At the freenode IRC network all major free software projects manage their IRC support channels. Freenode has been aquired in 2017, but was still run by the group of the individuals under nearly same terms as before, but at this point with a commercial company Ltd. in behind. This lasted until today, 19-th may 2021 where all major freenode staff lay down a letter of resignation. One staff member is mentioning a new IRC network which is called libera.chat.

The new IRC network is not quite 24 hours young and all major namespaces that have been known in the freenode IRC network have their counterparts in libera.chat IRC network. Up to now 10% of the users have moved toward the new network. This is a great example for a human network disruption in action.