I

Inbox

In August 2008, ESPNcricinfo introduced a blog for reader contributions in its expanding blogs section. "We have a robust feedback mechanism which features some lively discussions on major issues affecting cricket, wrote editor Sambit Bal in the opening post on Inbox. "But we recognise the limitation of the system that allows you only to respond and not initiate. We are seeking to redress that inadequacy somewhat by creating a space that is wholly yours: you set the agenda and you lead the discussion." Inbox has over 400 entries so far and is one of ESPNcricinfo's most popular blogs. =====

Internet Relay Chat

IRC, created in 1988, was one of the earliest instant-messaging services online. Users would log in to a server and join a chat room or a topic to interact with other users and share files with them. On one such chat room, #cricket, fans of the game congregated to discuss, and look at scores of, ongoing or recently concluded games. In 1993, as some users began to post score updates, the chat room was flooded with fans demanding commentary. The moderators decided then that only "commentators" would post updates on the channel, while another channel, #crickettalk, would be used for requests and discussions. These chat rooms were ESPNcricinfo in its infancy.