Forum:IRC Matters

I'll not beat around the bush with this proposal; no point with a long introduction, so straight into telling you of my proposal, regarding the Internet Relay Chat, or IRC systems, accesable via CGI:IRC, Mibbit and a variety of other clients. The IRC channel #swfanon is empty somewhat, compared to many other channels, such as #darthipedia, the Darthipedia IRC channel I regularly frequent. Many of the Users on Darthipedia choose to be on the IRC for the majority of the time they're actively on the specified Wiki, offering help and assistance to users in a way that was what IRC were designed for, and this isn't the same for #swfanon, our IRC. I've only ever seen a few major users on there without request, Atarumaster88 most frequently, Brandon Rhea and Solus often on, and Jedi Master 76 and Jasca Ducato being on rarely also, and I don't think this is a good thing. New users or prospective new users frequent the IRC regularly, as do current users seeking for instant help, and it's not good that there are often no administrators there to help them. Whilst I hope this serves as a bump up for users to join the IRC channels more often, that's not my proper proposal.

My proposal is for a more organized, better formed IRC channel, with users taking active part in this and status ranks being assigned, as many other Wikis, including our humerous partners have done. I've been on once or twice when Brandon Rhea encountered a troll on the channel, and was unable to remove them from the channel due to his lack of op status, an IRC status which allows topics to be changed, users to be kicked and bans enforced, very much like a Wiki. Whilst I appreciate some of our users and, indeed, admins may not be particularly IRC savvy, there's a much easier way around this. I believe Squishy Vic and Jedi Master 76 still have their op status (having not lost it since their resignations) and they would be able to turn on flags, an ability which allows a simple means of using the IRC. For example, if flags were sent +O for the nick 'Darth_tom', then every time 'Darth_tom' identified himself on the IRC and joined that channel he would be made an op, without having to anything. What I propose is that these flags be set on all administrators, so that they have these abilities on the IRC.

The second part comes with the voice status. Voice status indicates a small yellow symbol next to the nickname of a user on the IRC, which does very little except allow voice when a channel is muted. For example, if an administrator wished to mute the channel, if there were numerous trolls in it for instance, only operators and people with voice status would be able to speak. This also allows new users to identify trustworthy, experienced users upon joining the channel, meaning that they can ask their questions and queries to experienced, non-joking people. What I propose is that voice flags (so the nick with these flags on is automatically voiced when they enter the channel) be set on all High Priests and Decreton Lords, so they have voice upon entering the channel, being shown to be trustworthy members of the community by vote, and voice being given out manually to other users if and when administrators see fit. This would help to improve our channels, and help new users upon joining.

Another idea I'd propose is the creation of IRC channels for the High Priests and Decreton Lords; Wookieepedia has successfully implemented this with their Inquisitorius channel, and I think this would help raise the quality of work for these two positions, and the quality of our IRC, as it would allow such users to engage in discussion about DL or HP matters privately, should the need arise, and I've been told by a reputable source that these channels can be made invite only, and accessable via IRC. I've set up numerous IRC channels, and I could quite easily do it here, although a bit of help would be needed on making it invite only.

So, this is to raise the standard of our IRC, in brief, so that we can add a more professional and respectful look to our Wiki, which is something I believe we all want. -- iChat What I've done 20:56, 15 July 2008 (UTC)

Current standings

 * Support (1)
 * Oppose(0)

Support

 * 1) As the proposer, yes. --[[Image:Darthtomsig.png|163px]] iChat What I've done 20:56, 15 July 2008 (UTC)

Discussion
Any matters that need discussing, please place here. -- iChat What I've done 20:56, 15 July 2008 (UTC)