Revised: January 15th, 1997 History & Ethos of The Channel Service Thanks to a lot of work by Seks and the rest of the Undernet IRCops, Undernet now has a channel service. This service will allow users to run a channel without running a bot. This service replaces the need for a bot on a channel. This channel service gives the opportunity to users to manage a channel. This is *not* ownership because the service will only be placed on the channel if that there is a general demand for it. It cannot be used in channel wars/op wars or in an attempt to end "take over" a channel. The Channel Service works the same way that a bot works. It can control all channel modes (including ops). One advantage that the service has is if ops are lost either due to someone messing up and deop'ing everyone (or a flooder/hacker doing it intentionally) then the bot can use Uworld (special Undernet service) and regain ops.
The Channel Service has many different modes. AlwaysOp will ensure that the bot always has ops. If ops are ever lost or the bot is unable to join the channel then the bot will use Uworld to gain access. NoOp mode will make it so the Channel Service is the only Op on the channel. All kicks, bans, topic, etc have to be made through the bot. Mode changes still need to be done manually. The bot also has flood protection against nick, kick, topic and mode changes to ensure that channel flooders are not a problem. Since both X and W are +d they do not monitor the discussion on the channel and will not monitor public message floods. The Channel Service retains a userlist for every channel that it is registered on. The manager of the channel (person who registered the channel) controls the list for that particular channel. A reasonable level of traffic is required for the channel. Channels not having maintaining a reasonable level of traffic will be purged from X/W. The channel manager is expected to participate in the channel on a regular basis. If it is found that the manager has not logged into X/W with their 500 access within 21 days, the channel may be purged from X/W. Please reference some of the Channel Service FAQ's at ftp.undernet.org in pub/irc/docs/cservice for general Cservice information. Please note that some of these documents may be out of date. If you have a specific question regarding the Channel Service mail cservice@undernet.org.
(i) The Channel Service committee is a volunteer based user group.
(ii) The CSC (Channel Service Committee) are in charge of administrating the channel service
(iii) The CSC will attempt to provide stability to a channel
(iv) The CSC will only register 1 channel per USER (this means user, not account or e-mail address). This rule may be relaxed at the discretion of the committee for special channels which provide a service, such as help channels.
Standard Registration:
(i) Applications are reviewed on a regular basis by the CSC to ensure the proper information has been included.
(ii) Provided there is no objections the channel service will be moved into place on a trial basis, of 14 days. After which it will be permanent, subject to the standard review procedures.
(iii) The CSC may deny access to registration to anyone that has been abusive of the service or of Undernet. The CSC may also suspend the registration and supporters priviledges to any user.
(i) A channel maybe registered for special events at the request of IRCops or by cservice administrators.
(ii) A channel may also be emergency registered if it is shown that registering the channel will add stability to the channel itself. The channel must still go through the posting period.
(iii) All special registrations must be approved by the special registrations group within the CSC.
(i) Users have 14 days in which to make a reasonable objection to a Channel after the registration has been approved.
(ii) Any reasonable objection will be considered by the committee. The CSC shall attempt to invoke the following procedures:
(a) remove the bot from the channel while discussions take place unless it is felt that the channel stability is going to be a problem. (b) attempt mediation between the objectors and the registered owner.
(i) by trying to put them into contact with each other
(ii) by helping if requested to with discussions.
(c) if mediation fails,
the BOT will NOT be placed on the Channel.
- a new application may be made in 2 months, but will not be considered before then.
- the committee will suggest that a channel under a different name be registered.
(iii) if an objection is received after that time; the CSC will consider it if:
(a) it is supported by a reasonable number of users (min. 10 - more for larger channels) (b) has reasonable grounds.
A valid objection will be dealt with in the same way as for above; but with the presumption that if the objector cannot substantiate the claim sufficiently, then the bot will stay.
(iv) The decision of the CSC in all these matters is Final.
(i) CSC administrators will only use their administrative access in order to perform channel maintenance, to enforce the CSC guidelines, and to aid channels in times of need.
(ii) CSC administrators can purge a channel if it is found to be used by abusive users, such as flooders etc.
(iii) Any CSC administrator/helper that abuses their access can have it suspended or removed without warning
IMPORTANT: Channel registrations are here to help established channels,not to start them. You should only be applying for a channel if you have a regular user base to the channel.
(i) Make sure that you have read these guidelines carefully, and are willing to use the channel service (X/W) in conjunction with the rules of use.
(ii) Applications are to be submitted via the Channel Service Registration page, found via the WWW (World Wide Web) at http://cservice.undernet.org/regist/ If you do not have access to the Web for some reason, please visit #cservice on the Undernet or mail cservice@undernet.org and a CSC administrator or helper should be able to help you.
(iii) Once the application form is submitted, it is automatically checked for the following:
a) The form is complete. Meaning, you have filled in every required section. The comments section is optional.
b) The user@host is formatted correctly.
c) The channel is not already registered.
d) There is no application for the channel already in posting stages.
If any of the above checks fail, the form is rejected, stating what parts of the form were incomplete or incorrect. You may then make whatever additions or changes are necessary and try to submit again.
(iv) If the application passes the initial checks, you will receive an "OPERATION SUCCESSFUL" message.
A mail is also sent to the applicant and CC'd (carbon copied) to the supporters listed in the application stating that the application was accepted by the form processor.
(v) The email addresses in the list of supporters are checked for validity. If mail bounces back from one or more email addresses (ie, if any of the email addresses were invalid), the application will be rejected.
NOTE: Supporters are people that are regulars on the channel and feel that you would make a good channel manager for the channel. You should discuss the channel registration with them BEFORE applying.
The applicant WILL NOT be notified via email if the application is rejected in this stage!! The applicant must check daily to see if the application has moved to PENDING or REJECTED.
(vi) Once the application has been accepted and passes the email address verification, it will remain on the Incoming page and will enter its 10-day posting period. During this period, the application will be available for viewing via the web page. People will also be able to object to an application via the web page.
(vii) At the end of the 10-day posting period, the application will move into PENDING status. The CSC will at this point review the application and any objections posted.
(viii) Provided there are no valid objections, the Channel Service will be granted to the applicant on a trial basis of 14 days. This trial period gives channel regulars, who may not have known about the pending registration, a chance to object to the registration. If an objection is received by the CSC for a channel which is still in the trial period, that objection will be investigated. If the CSC finds that the channel was registered without the agreement of most of the channel regulars, it may be purged immediately. After the trial period, if there are still no objections and no problems, the channel will be made permanent.
Disclaimer The Channel Service will not be responsible for any activity that occurs on the channel. Anything that occurs on the channel are the responsibilities of the people involved and has nothing to do with the Channel Service, its administrators and the Undernet as a whole, including the Operators that run it. The guidelines may change without notice.