This FAQ is to answer general questions that Channel Managers may have in regards to the Undernet Channel Service (UCS). You should get the Undernet Channel Service FAQ from ftp://ftp.undernet.org/pub/irc/docs/cservice/ if you do not know what the UCS is.
In all examples below, we will assume that the channel name is #foochan, the nickname is foonick, the password is foopass, and the user@host is fooid@machine.host.domain. For ease of documentation, X will be used in all examples, but there are 2 Channel Service bots, X and W.
Note: All channel registrations are now handled through the web pages, located at http://cservice.undernet.org/regist/
1 - I received an e-mail from the Channel Service Committee (CSC). Now what?
You should receive 2 emails from CService during your registration period.
The first mail will just be a confirmation letter stating that CService has received your application form and is being reviewed. If you do not get this within one day of submitting your application, then you may assume we either did not receive it or it somehow got lost.
You need to be sure you check the web pages to follow your application's progress. For example, if one of the e-mail addresses you listed as a supporter is invalid, your application will be rejected and you will *not* be notified.
All supporters you list on your application are sent copies of the application via e-mail and are instructed to e-mail the CSC back if they do not support you.
If your channel application *is* rejected for sufficient objections or a similar reason, you will be notified.
If there were no objections to your registration, then your channel will be added with you as manager within 11-12 days of your submitting the application. An e-mail confirming this fact will be sent to you when the channel has been added. If you are anxious and/or having mail problems you can check if your channel has been added by typing:
This will return a response from both channel service bots to say whether your channel has been registered or not. Your channel will only be registered on *one* of the two bots.
As the channel manager, you are responsible for all activities of your channel including its users and bots. It is recommended that you do not run other bots on the channel besides X since there is no need for it. X will always be there and maintains an oplist.
Please consider the amount of responsibility you will have as manager, and make sure you can handle it before deciding to take on this role. If you have doubts, you might want to consider allowing someone who is more ready for this to become the manager.
3 - How does X know that I am the right person?
The Channel Service Committee has added the IRC address that you specified in your application form to the userlist for your channel on X. To check the user@host that has been added you can type:
If your user@host is not correct drop by #cservice and ask for it to be fixed, or fill out and mail the User@host Change Request Form (Xhost.form) to x@Undernet.org if your channel is registered on X or w@Undernet.org if your channel is registered on W. If you are not sure what your user@host should be, then drop by #cservice and someone there will assist you.
4 - Getting started
All users who has access to X/W must now use passwords to protect their accesses from being used by unauthorized persons. The first thing you must do once your channel is registered is to set a password.
First you must tell X you're here:
Secondly, you must set your password:
And lastly, to login to X and authenticate:
If you have lost or forgotten your password, contact the CSC and ask them to reset it for you. Once you have identified yourself once, you should not have to do it again until you log off of IRC. In some instances of netsplits and the rare occurrence that X needs to be restarted, you will need to resend your password.
NOTE: If your channel has W instead of X then you need to send these messages to W@channels2.undernet.org. Commands regarding passwords are the only ones that need to be sent using this method.
Now you have a password set, and are logged into your channel. The next step involved with your channel setup is to bring X into the channel. This is done simply by:
Now that X has joined your channel, you need to add your channel to the autojoin list and set the defaults. First, make sure you set your channel modes (ie, +nt) as you will want them to normally be, then type:
Note: This does not prevent users from changing the channel modes. It only tells X what the modes *should* be, so that if X ever needs to be restarted, it will reset the channel modes to the default when it joins your channel again. If you ever want to change the defaults, you just set your channel's modes to what you want the new default to be, then just do a /msg X addchan #foochan again. The default modes should then be reset.
5 - Configuring X.
Now that X is on your channel you can now configure X. The variables that can be set are: MassDeopPro, NickFloodPro, FloodPro, NoOp, AlwaysOp, OpOnly and StrictpOp. Any user that exceeds the set limits for MassDeopPro, NickFloodPro, or FloodPro will be kicked, deop'd, and/or suspended by X. You can also change the language that X is to use with users of your channel, and you can also set a channel Description, and a channel URL.
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5.1 - What is MassDeopPro?
MassDeopPro is the maximum number of deops one user can do in a 15 second period. This must be a positive integer value.
EXAMPLE: If you don't want anyone to be able to deop more than 5 people in a 15 second period you would type:
The default for MassDeopPro is 3. MassDeopPro can be set by level 450+.
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5.2 - What is NickFloodPro?
NickFloodPro is the maximum number of nick changes one user can do in a 15 second period. This must be a positive integer value.
EXAMPLE: If you don't want any user to be able to change their nick more than 5 times in a 15 second period you would type:
NOTE: Most servers have built-in nick flood protection, so this variable may not be necessary.
5.3- What is FloodPro?
FloodPro is the limit of TOPIC, MODE, and KICKS that one can send to a channel in a 15 second period. This does not cover public floods since X is deaf to all public messages to the channel. This must be a positive integer value.
EXAMPLE: To set the limit of KICKS and TOPIC or MODE changes allowable in a 15 second period to 20, type:
The default for FloodPro is 7. FloodPro can only be set by the Channel Manager.
NOTE: If the network is lagged, X may think that someone is flooding when they really are not. You may want to keep this in mind when setting your FloodPro, and set it a little high.
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5.4 - What is NoOp?
NoOp is a special mode where X is the only channel operator.
NoOp can be turned on or off by:
The default for NoOp is OFF. NoOp can only be set by the Channel Manager.
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5.5 - What is AlwaysOp?
AlwaysOp is a mode which ensures that X will always reop itself upon rejoining your channel if it leaves for any reason.
AlwaysOp can be turned on or off by:
The default for AlwaysOp is ON. AlwaysOp can be set by level 450+.
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5.6 - What is OpOnly?
OpOnly turns off all commands in X except for Op. Other commands such as kick, suspend, and adduser will not work through X.
OpOnly can be turned on or off by:
The default for OpOnly is OFF. OpOnly can only be set by the Channel Manager.
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5.7 - What is StrictOp?
StrictOp allows only users who are level 100+ on X to have ops. Since X compares the user's user@host to the user@hosts on X, they must match in order for X to allow the user to be opped. If the user isn't recognized by X, then they will not be allowed to have ops.
StrictOp can be turned on or off by:
The default for StrictOp is OFF. StrictOp can only be set by the Channel Manager.
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5.8 - How do I change the default language?
The language that X uses for your channel can be changed. Known languages are English, Dutch, French, and German. The syntax to change the language is:
English=en
EXAMPLE: To change the default language on your channel to German type:
The default for Lang is English. Lang can only be set by the Channel
Manager.
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5.9 - How do I find out what the current settings are?
You can see your channel's current settings by using the Status command.
Any user with level 400 access or higher on your channel can use this
command. It gives the current settings for all of the above options, as
well as some other information. To use this command, type:
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5.10 - How do I set the Description?
This Description is an official description of your channel. It is not
the topic that will show up on /lists or when you do a /topic #channel.
It will be seen when a user does /msg x chaninfo #channel, or when they
search X/W's database and find your channel.
To set your channel's Description:
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5.11 - How do I set the URL?
You can specify your channel's homepage with this set command. This will
also be able to be seen by users with the /msg x chaninfo #channel
command.
To set the channel's URL:
6 - Using X's userlist database.
--------------------------------
6.1 - How can I add people to the userlist?
You can add users to X's userlist. Any user you add with a level of 400 or
higher can also add people to the userlist. To add someone, type:
The password field is optional when you add a new user. The examples
below show the password being assigned, but in general, you should leave
the password field blank and allow the user to set his or her own password
with the "newpass" command later. However, please remind all of your ops
that having a password is REQUIRED.
The user@host field is optional if the person is on IRC when you add him or
her to the userlist. It is recommended that you add people when they are on
IRC and leave out the user@host. This is the safest way to add people to
the user list because it lets X decide what the user@host field should be.
EXAMPLE: If you want to add your friend Foo whose address is
fooid@machine.host.domain, and you wanted him to have level 100 access,
with a password of foopass, and he is not online when you add him, you
would type:
Placing a * in place of machine in the @host part creates a larger host
mask that will cover different machine names that the user may have.
However a *!*@* would be a really bad entry since that covers all users.
Be very careful with your use of the * on the userlist. If there are
entries that pose a threat to X it is considered abuse and will be removed
and can result in the complete removal of X from the channel.
For more information regarding user@host entries, obtain a copy of hostmask.txt
from UnderBot.
On the other hand, if your friend Foo is on Undernet at the time that you
are adding him, then X will automatically add the wildcards to the
user@host if you simply type:
Again, it is highly recommended that you add users this way.
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6.2 - What are the different levels?
When adding someone you can give any level you wish as long as it is less
than your own and it is a positive integer value. However, a user must have
a certain level to gain certain access.
Here is a basic guideline for choosing access levels for your channel's
users:
>= Level 500 - Channel Manager (This is you. Only one allowed per channel)
For the complete list of commands available to each level, type:
NOTE: The "showcommands" command only shows you the commands for your
level and lower levels. If you have a password set, you must already have
sent your password to X, else it won't recognize you as the manager and
will only show you the commands for level 0 users.
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6.3 - What are Userflags?
Every person on X's userlist has one user flag: AutoOp. It can have the value of On or OFF
You can set the UserFlags with:
'n' can be a number from 0-1 and have the following meanings:
0 - All users default to Autoop OFF
1 - All users default to Autoop ON
The default for UserFlags is 0, or AutoOp OFF. UserFlags
can be set by any level 450+ op.
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6.4 - How can I see my userlist?
To see your user list or to find out what access a certain user has on your
channel, use the access command. The syntax is:
Parameters in brackets are optional. If you do not use any of these, then
you will see your own access. If you use an asterisk (*) instead of any
optional parameters you will see the entire list. The Channel Service will
show a maximum of 15 entries at a time. Therefore if the userlist has more
then 15 entries on it, you must use the optional parameters to narrow it
down to 15 or less.
-min n Show only users with access higher than or equal to n.
Options can be combined at wish to filter and narrow down the list.
EXAMPLES:
To see all of the level 400 to 450 users on #foochan, type:
To see all of the level 100 users of #foochan who are set to be AutoOp'd:
EXAMPLES with -modif (it works slightly different):
o Use with the [nick] field before it to see who last modified
[nick]'s entry
o Use without the nickname field to see who last modified all
user's entries (within your filter of course)
o Use with some string after it, to search for all entries
which have the string in the Last Modif line. For example:
will show all entries which were last changed by a user having
*.edu in their host mask.
Also,
will show all 400 and higher level entries which were last
changed by a user having the text "foo" somewhere in their host
mask.
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6.5 - Is there an easier way to see my full userlist???
Yes, there is. Point your favorite World Wide Web browser to...
http://cservice.undernet.org/ Allows access to both X and W.
>From these pages you also have access to the lbanlist as well as other
useful links and services. Don't forget to use the # sign when you
enter channel names on these pages!
7 - How can I give someone AUTOOP?
If you don't use the Userflags setting to automatically give all users
autoops on your channel, then you can do it by typing:
This should get X to respond and show you the person's entry in the
database reflecting the change.
NOTE ON AUTOOP: Please remember that since all users must have
passwords, they MUST authenticate with X/W before
AUTOOP will work.
8 - What other commands do I have available?
There are many other commands available to you and your users. To see the
entire list, type:
Again, if you have a password set, you must have sent it to X first to see
more than just the level 0 commands.
If you need help with any of these, first try typing:
If you still need help, stop by #CService and ask or mail
cservice@undernet.org.
9 - How can I get a second 500 level user?
In general, there should only be one 500 level user. In some extreme cases
the CSC will allow a second channel manager. If there is more than one 500
level user there can be disputes with the 500 level users which will lead
to problems since all 500 level users have the same access. It is best to
choose one person to be the channel manager and have that person add the
others at level 499. The only command that the level 500 person has is the
SET command which is rarely used.
If you are going on vacation for a length of time, such as longer than
3 weeks (21 days), or if you know you are not going to have the time to run your
channel for a while, then it is *strongly* recommended that you have one
of your trusted admins replace you as manager until you return. Just
fill out the New Channel Manager Request Form (Xnewmgr.frm) and
send it to x@undernet.org or w@undernet.org depending on which bot your
channel is registered on.
Failure to login once every 21 days is considered abdonment and is grounds
for removal of the Channel Service Bot (X or W) from your channel.
10 - X used to respond to me, but now it does not. What happened?
One of three things may be occurring.
a) You may have had your access suspended. Your access can be suspended
by X for attempting to op someone that is not allowed to be op'd
(banned or suspended user). Your access can also be suspended manually
by a 400+ level op if they felt there was a reason to do so. To see if
you have been suspended type:
b) Your user@host may be different. Do /msg x chaninfo #channel to
see what user@host(s) X will recognize you with. Then do a /whois on
yourself to see what your user@host currently is. If your /whois and
your chaninfo output do not match, then you will need to have it fixed
by a CService Admin.
A common problem is the DNS (domain name) not resolving, in which case
the IP (numeric) address shows when you do a /whois instead. If this
is a common problem for you, CService will gladly add another entry to
X at level 500 so that both your IP address and DNS will be recognized
by X. Just go to #cservice or fill out a User@host change form
(Xhost.form) and mail it to w@undernet.org if you have W on your
channel or x@undernet.org if you have X on your channel. A CService
Admin will then take care of it as soon as possible.
c) You may need to send X your password if you have one set. See
section 4 for instructions for sending your password.
If you still cannot get X to respond, please contact the Channel Service
Committee and someone will help you figure out and fix the problem.
11 - I can't be on-line 24 hours a day, how will I know if there is a
problem on my channel?
Your ChanOps should be told to inform you of any problems that occur on
your channel. If the problem constituted needing a CService Admin's
assistance, the Admin will try to email the manager to inform of the
situation.
12 - How will X/W know me if I get a new Internet Provider?
If you anticipate getting a new Internet Provider and you know what your
new user@host will be, then first, add your new host at level 499 while
you are still using the old host. Next, fill out and mail the User@host
Change Request Form (Xhost.frm) to x@undernet.org or w@undernet.org,
depending which bot your channel is registered on, and a CService Admin
will mail you back after the change has been made.
If you don't know what your new user@host will be before you switch and
lose access from your old provider, then we will need you to prove your
identity to us after you have switched. There are a few ways to
accomplish this:
- Have a level 400+ op add your new host at as high a level as
possible and fill out an mail a User@host change request form to
the appropriate mailing list.
No matter which method you use, DO NOT send us your password. The
CService Admins do not have access to the password files, so it is not
necessary to mail it to us.
13 - What if I don't want my channel anymore?
If you decide that you no longer want the channel, you have 2 options.
a) You and your channel users should decide on a new channel manager.
Then mail the New Manager Request Form (Xnewmgr.frm) to
x@undernet.org or w@undernet.org depending on whether the channel
has X or W.
b) If the channel is rarely used anymore, or your users can not agree
on a new manager, then you should have it purged (deleted) from X/W.
Mail the Purge Request Form (Xpurge.frm) to x@undernet.org or
w@undernet.org depending on whether the channel has X or W.
14 - Is there an easy way for my ChanOps to learn how to use X/W?
Yes! Channel Service has started a class in #OpSchool to teach all
about being an op and Channel Service. It is stronly suggested that both
you and the rest of your ops attend at least one class.
Classes are usually taught at least once a week, sometimes more. They are
approximately one hour long. To find out more info about OpSchool and
when the next class will be, you have a few options:
- Ask in #cservice
Besides OpSchool, there are various documents which will help. Xfaq.op
will probably be the best document for your ChanOps to read. See below
for information about where to find the CService documents.
15 - So is that it?
No, these are just the basics. There are a lot of things in here, but
there is always more to learn. Managing a channel is not an easy task.
Managing a popular channel is even harder. If you are unsure, please ask.
You might want to read throught the Xfaq.ops in addition to this document.
Also, please realize that X and W are under constant development, so
things will keep changing. Keep an eye out on UseNet in alt.irc.undernet
for updates.
Also keep an eye out at ftp.undernet.org for updates to all the documents.
16 - So where can I get more information then?
There are plenty of places to get information:
X or W
As already stated, you can type:
DCC
HelpBot can DCC files to you.
To see HelpBot's file list (see **), type:
/msg helpbot files
To get a file from HelpBot, type:
/msg helpbot get
** There are other files besides CService files here.
WWW
As already stated, web interfaces to X and W are available.
http://cservice.undernet.org/ For access to both X and W.
Easy access to information about OpSchool is now also available.
http://www.wildstar.net/~opschool/
#cservice
Help channel. You may ask here if none of the above help you.
Email
x@undernet.org List to request changes on X
w@undernet.org List to request changes on W
opschool@undernet.org List for info and requests
pertaining to #OpSchool
cservice@undernet.org List for all other info/requests
Dutch=nl
French=fr
German=ge
>= Level 450 - Trusted Admins (can remove X from the channel)
>= Level 400 - List administrator (may add users to the userlist)
>= Level 100 - Channel Operator (has basic op commands available)
-modif Shows who last modified a user's entry.
- Forward a copy of an old email between you and a CService Admin
in addition to mailing the user@host change request form to the
appropriate list.
- /msg UnderBot motd
- mail opschool@undernet.org
- check http://www.wildstar.net/~opschool/