I dunno about that. Usenet can be pretty much instantaneous if you're using a newsreader and a decent news server (the Google archive is useful for searching later, but no good for reading and posting). I've spent many hours at home and at work (don't tell my boss) chatting away and keeping abreast of developing news on usenet. I far prefer the plain text environment (it's the words not the smilies that are important) and proper thread structures on usenet. Unfortunately though, uk.rec.caving is exceedingly quiet if not dead these days and given that lack of people to talk to I've moved here - which is excellent... for web-based forum