All the channels do something slightly different, or offer a different means of communication for people who are more comfortable using that means.
GitHub = an issue tracker, for ensuring that bugs are fixed and new features are implemented. Discussion can happen on any issue to find the best way to fix a bug or implement a few feature.
Loomio = a platform for discussion and voting on more complex or controversial topics, to reach agreement where possible on how to proceed. The proposals/voting function on Loomio is the main reason for using this platform. It might be, for example, ‘do we want feature x in Diaspora?’ - if it’s voted yes, then an issue can be created in GitHub for that feature.
Diaspora itself = good in principle, but as yet the performance of the software/network is not high enough for it to be an appropriate place for important discussions - because, for instance, you can’t be sure that everyone who needs to read a particular post/comment will indeed receive it, and not in a timely fashion.
IRC = live chat, for those instances in which that can be useful (e.g. receiving help when trying to install a pod, or when your pod crashes), or just for those people who are more comfortable in that environment.
mailing list = for people who prefer to post to a mailing list.
It doesn’t mean that some streamlining wouldn’t be possible, but each channel does do a different job, or does provide some different options, so there’s a reason each is kept open.
Hi Goob, thanks for that summing up, that’s clearing up things for me. However I still miss diasporaforum.org in there, but I guess that is for discussion on less complex/controversial topics that don’t require voting?
Oh yes, I forgot diasporaforum - it’s only recently been reopened. It should have been on the list. Again, it’s a different communication medium for those who prefer that, and it does a slightly different job from the others. You’re right, it’s a place for people to discuss things informally, and to get help with things they’re having difficulty with. It’s community-run rather than an ‘official’ channel. People can of course discuss whatever they like on the forum, but it’s not a place for ‘official’ decisions about the direction of the project to be made.