Established in April of 1997, the Othernet IRC network began with a fairly small but dedicated userbase, founded upon the friendships that fostered it. During the first two years of its existence, Othernet grew and became widely accepted as a safe, friendly, family network; one that had nurtured many friendships, and overcome the hardships that it experienced.
The acquaintances and comradeship that were formed and maintained over this period of time allowed the network to prosper and continue its growth, whilst at the same time underpinning its own resources and gaining strategical knowledge and expertise for its planned expansion.
As with most other networks, Othernet declined in server base, but regrouped and adjusted itself in line with its strategies, thus ensuring that its users were never placed in an uncomfortable or uncompromising situation. During this time, new policies and plans were established, and obsolete policies were removed. Additionally, during the regrouping process, it was decided that we needed to shift our focus from one of general IRC ‘chatting’ to one which emphasized what the growing number of users did most often.
During the end of the second year and the beginning of the third, Othernet was the testing ground for Christopher Birch’s Services; Channel, Operator, NickName and a variety of other services based upon server pseudo users. During this time, Othernet openly advertised the services, and even provided a support channel, so that registered users could ask for support.
As we reached the end of the third year, Chris had reached the conclusion that selling the services was declining in viability, and this commercial activity ceased. Although the services for Othernet itself are being continually developed, these are no longer commercially available to the general public.
The Network Administration developed a governing structure and looked at the means to specialize within the real-time interactive environment in which Othernet’s personnel had become so expertly acquainted. The direction was virtually chosen by the network users, and this was to change its emphasis from a general chat network to one catering for the stock and day trading profession.
Ever since doing so, the staff have worked around the clock in order to faciliate all services within the network, turned and operating in a manner that would essentially support its main user base.
The future of Othernet is still being forged; we believe it to be a positive one. We are, at this moment, the largest single financially based real- time interactive network in the world, with over 2,200 concurrent connects every day (the daily average total equating to around 8,500 different clients) regularly availing themselves of our services.