IRC vs Wiki
IRC and Wiki are two of the many strategies for providing support and information about software and other products. Both are popular in the open source community.
[edit] Similarities
A wiki and an IRC channel typically, but not always, accepts questions and contributions from anyone. They can be used to discuss any topic. They are often used to provide help to people who want to know how to use a particular device or piece of software.
[edit] Differences
IRC is geared toward quick responses (real time conversations) and one-person-at-a-time problem solving. This is an advantage when dealing with problems that haven't been seen before. It's a disadvantage to the person asking and the person answering the question, in the case of a question that has been dealt with many times (and would have been answered clearly on a wiki).
Many Wiki sites have a tone of being polished and clean, and not inviting of contributions from new users - especially if they are there to ask questions rather than give answers. IRC channels are often equally receptive to questions and answers. The impermanence of the communications sets a tone where people don't lose time editing what they'll say or worrying that someone else knows better than them.
