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