Document switch from IRC to GitHub Discussions

CONTRIBUTING.rst

@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 Filing issues
 =============
 
-* Before you file an issue, try `asking for help`_ first.
+* Before you submit a new issue, try `asking for help`_ first.
-* If determined to file an issue, first check for `existing issues`_, including
+* If determined to create a new issue, first search `Pelican Discussions`_
-  closed issues.
+  and `existing issues`_ (open and closed) to see if your question has already
+  been answered previously.
 
 .. _`asking for help`: `How to get help`_
+.. _`Pelican Discussions`: https://github.com/getpelican/pelican/discussions
 .. _`existing issues`: https://github.com/getpelican/pelican/issues
 
 How to get help
@@ -64,26 +66,10 @@ publicly-accessible location:
   the ``--debug`` flag: ``pelican --debug content [...]``)
 
 .. _documentation: https://docs.getpelican.com/
-.. _`paste service`: https://dpaste.de/
+.. _`paste service`: https://dpaste.com
-
-Once the above preparation is ready, you can contact people willing to help via
-(preferably) the ``#pelican`` IRC channel or send a message to ``authors at getpelican dot com``.
-Remember to include all the information you prepared.
-
-The #pelican IRC channel
-------------------------
-
-* Because of differing time zones, you may not get an immediate response to your
-  question, but please be patient and stay logged into IRC — someone will almost
-  always respond if you wait long enough (it may take a few hours).
-* If you don't have an IRC client handy, use the webchat_.
-* You can direct your IRC client to the channel using this `IRC link`_ or you
-  can manually join the ``#pelican`` IRC channel on the `freenode IRC network`_.
-
-.. _webchat: https://kiwiirc.com/client/irc.freenode.net/?#pelican
-.. _`IRC link`: irc://irc.freenode.net/pelican
-.. _`freenode IRC network`: https://freenode.net/
 
+Once the above preparation is ready, you can post your query as a new thread in
+`Pelican Discussions`_. Remember to include all the information you prepared.
 
 Contributing code
 =================
@@ -153,7 +139,6 @@ Check out our `Git Tips`_ page or `ask for help`_ if you
 need assistance or have any questions about these guidelines.
 
 .. _`plugin`: https://docs.getpelican.com/en/latest/plugins.html
-.. _`#pelican IRC channel`: https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=pelican&uio=d4
 .. _`Create a new git branch`: https://github.com/getpelican/pelican/wiki/Git-Tips#making-your-changes
 .. _`Squash your commits`: https://github.com/getpelican/pelican/wiki/Git-Tips#squashing-commits
 .. _`Run all the tests`: https://docs.getpelican.com/en/latest/contribute.html#running-the-test-suite

docs/faq.rst

@@ -11,11 +11,11 @@ Please read our :doc:`feedback guidelines <contribute>`.
 How can I help?
 ===============
 
-There are several ways to help out. First, you can report any Pelican
+There are several ways to help out. First, you can communicate any Pelican
-suggestions or problems you might have via IRC (preferred) or the `issue
+suggestions or problems you might have via `Pelican Discussions
-tracker <https://github.com/getpelican/pelican/issues>`_. If submitting an
+<https://github.com/getpelican/pelican/discussions>`_. Please first check the
-issue report, please first check the existing issue list (both open and closed)
+existing list of discussions and issues (both open and closed) in order to
-in order to avoid submitting a duplicate issue.
+avoid submitting topics that have already been covered before.
 
 If you want to contribute, please fork `the git repository
 <https://github.com/getpelican/pelican/>`_, create a new feature branch, make