Let's Write the IRC Channel's Rules!

[rdrake]

Recently there has been talk about unfair bannings in the IRC channel. As of now, the bannings are at the discretion of the operators. Now I'm not saying all bannings are justified, and I'm certainly not saying all are unjustified, I just feel that rules should be put into place for operators to follow.

So, what conditions do you feel should constitute kicks? Bans? Even kickbans? I'm sure many regulars from the IRC channel can help out here the most, but it would be interesting to see what the community thinks too.

Basically we need to rewrite the compsci.ca rules, updated for consequences and adapted to the IRC environment.

Thoughts would be much appreciated.

[md]

I think that any time a ban is needed a kickban could also be used. If you have auto-rejoin enabled a kick means absolutely nothing. When your banned for a short time (and usually that's all it is; though hte more you are banned the longer the time is usually) it means something, and you might learn your lesson.

'Course I've been called over-zealous...

[Mazer]

Agreed. I think adding the auto re-join feature to IRC clients was horrible. It seems like the only way to get a point across without pissing off the rest of the channel (being spammed with repeated kick/join messages?) is to ban the offender, at least temporarily.

[rdrake]

Personally I get very annoyed by children who wonder into the channel, refuse to identify themselves, leave, then come back with a different nick. They don't realize something, that being that we can read your hostname and know who you are. This should lead to a ban, naturally, as they are very annoying.

The IRC channel can be a very friendly place, just obey the unspoken rules (as of now), and don't be annoying.

[Clayton]

Generally, don't be rude, and keep it *clean* (yes there are times when the IRC channel gets out of bounds of PG13, but that's usually when the whole part of the active channel is in the conversation)

Also, don't be an idiot by discriminating or anything like that. You have no idea what another person on the channel might think of them, and I personally think that a ban is in order whenever anything like that comes up.

In conclusion, keep it clean, respect others, and don't be an idiot. That will generally keep you from getting kicked/banned/kickbanned.

[rdrake]

Ah yes, forgot to mention that those identified as bots trying to spam the channel also get banned, often without warning.

Particularly that one trying to sell the dell laptops, how long has that thing been around anyways?

[[Gandalf]]

Who wouldn't want to buy one, especially those alienware ones.

How about when not to ban people? If someone has previously broken the rules and recieved a temporary banning or kick, that does not warrant kicking them again if they haven't broken any rules since, though it does justify being more strict later on. Also, kicking is pretty much harmless, so it can act as a sort of 'serious' warning.

[rdrake]

So... let me throw this out and see what you guys think.

Kicks
A kick is designed to be a warning, as many clients have auto-join enabled anyways so the user will not remain kicked for long. The following terms constitute grounds for a kick.

• Abusing other users (operators or otherwise, neither will be tolerated), first offense.
  
• Too much language, first warning.
  
  Note: Generally this is ignored after 11 PM until early morning. In the event a user uses language on another user, they will be kicked and/or banned.
  
• Essentially for being annoying (this one is designed to curb the inevitable flow of people asking we do their Turing homework). We have already had examples of this. To the reader: if you refuse to give your compsci.ca handle, you will most likely designated as annoying.
  

I'm sure we could easily add more, feel free to express your opinion.

Bans
A ban is designed to be a more stern warning, as the user can no longer speak. The rules above apply still and can constitute bans. A ban is used in place of a kick when the user ignores the first warning.

Bans should be lifted (at least for now) after a good general scolding of the user in question, through PMs or otherwise. Operators should not make an example out of the user unless they feel it truly is necessary.

Kickbans
Kickbans are reserved in the event that a kick and ban on their own is not enough to stop the user. The time of which the kickban stands is up to the discretion of the operator banning the user. Should the user feel this ban is exceedingly long, they can go through the process below.

At least one condition goes straight to a kickban, maybe a few.

• A user enters that is identified to be a bot. Either through them displaying ads, or due to them being in 8+ channels.
  
  Note for later: Develop a bot test or something...
  
• A user is identified to be a blatent troll. Ie. they come into the room and immediately say some "nasty" things.
  

That sounds good for now... feel free to add more.

Unfair Treatment
Should a user feel they have been unfairly treated, they must follow the following steps:

• Wait at least one (1) hour as a cool-down period.
  
• Attempt to contact the operator in question via PM. Do not post on the forums at this point, you will most likely be flamed to no end.
  
• Should the operator ignore you, or you still feel a compromise can not be reached, or you do not wish to contact the operator in question, contact the owner of the room (ie. Dan). It will most likely come to a vote in the channel.
  

I am warning you though, if you do decide to post on the forum, you will most likely be flamed. You may get some sympathy, but I highly doubt that. Your post will most likely be at least locked, and perhaps deleted.

Well that's about it for now. Feel free to butcher, add, scrutanize, and whatever else you feel like doing to these rules. They are a product of me rambling a little too early in the morning.

Feedback would be highly appreciated.

[Mazer]

Looks fine by me. I should probably give it another look later, but... y'know, I'm in class.

[md]

Bans do more then prevent you from speaking Other then that it looks good... might want to add something about kickbans being used if you have autojoin though.

[Dan]

I like it all but this:

Quote:

# Essentially for being annoying (this one is designed to curb the inevitable flow of people asking we do their Turing homework). We have already had examples of this. To the reader: if you refuse to give your compsci.ca handle, you will most likely designated as annoying.

Just saying for being annoying can cover almost anything, i could find some ones host name annoying. Also i think peoleop should have the right to privacy, you should not have to have a compsci.ca acount to be on the IRC chan and i don't realy see the need to have to tell who you are. However i think things like spaming, should be a kick or ban.

In other words we need more detail then just annoying, since annoying is complety realtive and could lead to problems.

[rdrake]

Hacker Dan wrote:

In other words we need more detail then just annoying, since annoying is complety realtive and could lead to problems.

I suppose a word like trolling describes it better. If somebody random comes into the room and starts causing discord, they will be punished.

[Dan]

rdrake wrote:

Hacker Dan wrote:

In other words we need more detail then just annoying, since annoying is complety realtive and could lead to problems.

I suppose a word like trolling describes it better. If somebody random comes into the room and starts causing discord, they will be punished.

Yes, trolling is a better word, tho the best way to stop a troll is to just ingore them. I am very agisted the kicking for not saying who you are tho.

Also a voice/devoice system could be put in place for more options.

[md]

Not having voice in a moderated channel is *just* like a ban; the only difference is that you can see who is in the channel.

[Dan]

md wrote:

Not having voice in a moderated channel is *just* like a ban; the only difference is that you can see who is in the channel.

True, but it dose not sound as bad