I've been looking to experiment with node.js lately and created a
little toy webapp that displays updates from the major language
wikipedias in real time:
http://wikistream.inkdroid.org
Perhaps like you, I've often tried to convey to folks in the GLAM
sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) just how much
Wikipedia is actively edited. GLAM institutions are increasingly
interested in "digital curation" and I've sometimes displayed the IRC
activity at workshops to demonstrate the sheer number of people (and
bots) that are actively engaged in improving the content there...with
the hopes of making the Wikipedia platform part of their curation
strategy.
Anyhow, I'd be interested in any feedback you might have about wikistream.
//Ed