Heya, T!!!!!!
IRC is my vote. I still use ICQ as a backup, but IRC is definitely the easier of the two for group communication. The only problem with IRC being that it's hard to see sometimes if there's an emergency or something, but when the group's already out and together, it's a far better tool of communication than ICQ.
Something else I've been considering, but not quite sure how to go about doing, is setting up a UOAM server. I don't think my cable will allow me to set up a dedicated server that people could use at any time... that being said, if they will allow it, I could certainly put together a minimal system of junk components lying about and spend the extra $5.00 a month for a third IP address and set up an independent server for UOAM. I'll have to look into it realistically... but it would be nice to have.
Well, I think that's about it for now... I'll have a post tonight or tomorrow about some guild functions I've been thinking of.
- Ra