#Casual
Guidelines and Help for Channel Operators
A place to talk where prejudice, grievance, sexuality, age, politics, religion, nationality, war, class, culture or creed don't matter.... what matters is the chat....
#Casual is a very popular and busy channel, I am proud to own it and you should all be proud to operate it. I cannot put my finger on why it is so popular, may have something to do with the name or the topic, but is
maybe to do with how it is Operated, whatever it is; it's POPULAR. We
should strive to create a safe, friendly, uncluttered environment that enables users to enjoy their stay at #Casual and encourage them to come back again.
We have had more than a few problems with Operators
not knowing how to behave in a Chat Room, or behaving in a manner that
prejudices the popularity of #Casual, this is not good and will not be
tolerated, we have spelled out the guidelines below so that everyone can see how
we can all help to make the channel a good experience for our users.
You were chosen as an Operator because you did
certain things like spent lots of time in the channel, were helpful to others
and kept to the guidelines, you caught the eye of an Operator, Manager or
Co/Owner, in short you deserved it! Getting Operator status was not easy,
keeping it
is not just a matter of showing up every so often, you have to show you support
the channel and follow the guidelines and be an active member of the team!.
We have a system in #Casual for choosing Operators, you don't just get them because you have been on the channel for a long time or because you're friends with another Operator. All the Operators get a say in the decision making process, we discuss the pros and cons in private and you must have been "put forward" by a #Casual Operator to even get consideration! This is a private process and you will only be told in general terms why you were accepted or turned down, no specific information will be given as to who said what! this is to protect the privacy of the operators and the person being considered as we don't discuss details with anyone!
As a normal user on the channel it didn't matter if
you were having a bad day; as an Operator you are expected to do what's needed whatever you feel like!
You will be criticised, poked, laughed at and generally abused by users and you have to enjoy it or at least let it wash over you! Try not to over-react to things said in jest by other users and don't forget the policy is that nobody escapes the consequences of miss-use of the power you yield.
You should try to greet and chat to people who join, you MUST help anyone who asks or obviously needs help, you must be courteous and well mannered to the users and you deal with troublemakers in a FAIR manner and generally act cool.
You'll definitely need a good sense of humour.
What you say and do in public and private to users is also important, if you are abusive, threatening,
or sexually explicit to them then you are not doing your job properly. Yes I know it is difficult to keep your cool with some users, they can be very abusive and downright nasty, but then if you act like them, you are just as bad as them.
Sometimes Operators make the big mistake of thinking that the relaxed and laid back attitude in #Casual gives them
Carte-blanche to do as they like, they are then shocked when they are pulled up about their wrong-doings. No matter how good an
Operator you have been, or how long you have been an Op, if you do wrong then you have to accept the consequences of your actions and there WILL be consequences.
There have been episodes in the past where
Operators are duking it out on the channel in public... including accusations, violent attacks, explicit sexual insults, cussing and general mayhem. Well that is NOT what an
Operator is supposed to do.
A Channel Operator has to set the standards for others to follow. Petty jealousy, disagreements, backstabbing and fighting in general, are NOT to be seen in public, hey it happens, we are all humans..... erm except me..... but let's keep it private.
Note this one carefully, we promise to come down HARD on people who don't adhere to this guideline!
If you have a problem with another Operator that
you cannot resolve then don't be afraid to ask for help,from other Operators,
managers or AlieN...
before you consider resigning your Ops or causing problems for the channel; that will
only make a bad situation worse. We might just be able to sort out the dispute. If I am not around then
send an Email, my current Email Addresses will be on the #Casual Website. Just remember every dispute is at least two sided and I have to get the opinions of all involved before I can advise what to do.
If you are on the channel but not paying attention; then you should deop
yourself or change your nick to reflect that you are away or set away (reason)
so that everyone knows you are not available. Operators with @ at the top of the
channel doing nothing, while all hell breaks loose around them, is NOT
good a good advertisement for anyone!
If you don't log all your sessions then why not? Logs can be presented as evidence of what occurred with users or abusers and help your case. If you do use logs to present your case then they must NOT be edited, and they should be
time stamped (set that in the logging options) though long logs can be cut to present the relevant events but then EVERYTHING that was said or done by ALL USERS in that time should be left untouched.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Thou shalt...
# 1. NOT KICK ANOTHER OPERATOR IN PUBLIC (OR BAN) EVEN AS A JOKE
# 2. NOT CUSS ANOTHER OPERATOR IN PUBLIC
# 3. NOT ATTACK ANOTHER OPERATOR IN PUBLIC
# 4. NOT AIR YOU GRIEVANCES ABOUT ANOTHER OPERATOR IN PUBLIC
# 5. NOT QUESTION AN OPERATOR ACTION IN PUBLIC
# 6. NOT UNDO AN OPERATOR ACTION IN PUBLIC (UNLESS IT IS AGREED AND CLEAR WHY YOU ARE DOING IT)
# 7. NOT REMOVE OPERATORS OFF THE USER LIST UNTIL IT IS AGREED WITH WHOEVER OPPED THEM.
# 8. NOT DEOP OR BAN AN OPERATOR JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE THEM
# 9. NOT PUT DOWN (DIS) THE CHANNEL (IN #CASUAL OR OTHER CHANNELS) OR DIS ANY
OTHER CHANNEL IN PUBLIC
#10. NOT GO AGAINST THE OWNERS WISHES.....
OK and below are Spider and Napalm's alternative Ten Commandments :¬)
By Spider and Napalm (and some Cocaine I think hehe)
in the beginning there was afternet and all rejoiced.
ôn the second day thy lord Crazzee created #beginner, the masses rejoiced at their new found freedom.
ôn the third day the Almighty AlieN created #casual, this caused a new breed of people to
cometh to afternet.
ôn the last day, the Ten Commandments were created in an attempt to redeem the souls of the newbies who didn't know how to party.
Here then, are thy Ten Commandments:
1. Thou shalt not smiteth thine enemy in the presence of thy comrades.
2. When thy friend §pider says "who's da man?" as foretold in thy holy MIRC help thing, thy
shalt reply "You da man!".
3. When thou enters #Casual thou shalt be happy and rejoice or thou will face thy all mighty underworld for a term of damnation.
4. When thy art temped to do harm on others by thy "DEVIL" Napalm, thou shalt reply
"BAHAHAHAHAHHAHA NO HARASS FOR U!"
5. Thou shalt let go of thy "MIRC Illiterate" label no later than two weeks after downloading thy holy program
MIRC.
69. 69 is thy holy number, (because stone cold said so and that's the bottom line) and
don't forget it.
7. "FIREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" is thy holy word, thy
shalt worship it or be smiteth by thy peers.
8. If "P.C.=God" then "Spider=Our man in Nam" and "Napalm=our friendly commie border
guard"
9. Thou shalt NOT have "cyber-sex" cus its gay, and its stupid, and
I'll kick your ass! how about them apples!
10. Thou shalt not use funky assed colors unless they are accompanied by the word
"FIREEEEEEEEEE" or "69" then its ok.
AMEN!
oh ya... <napalm> thy Shalt NOT put out fire, cus its cool!
ANY of these Consequences can happen,
or none of them, they are only numbered in order of
severity, one or more of these can be imposed even for a first offence.
1. A WARNING TO NOT DO IT AGAIN (CAUTION)
2. A SHORT DEOP OR DEMOTION (up to 1 week)
3. A MEDIUM DEOP OR DEMOTION (up to 3 weeks)
4. A long DEOP OR DEMOTION (3 weeks or more)
5. A PERMANENT DEOP OR DEMOTION
6. A PERMANENT BAN
Hey and this applies to family, friends, foes, lovers and anyone else.. NO
EXCEPTIONS and the Channel OWNER has final mandate over anything, though
discussions with all Operators will take place under normal circumstances before
anything happens, sometimes the channel owner may take action without
consultation if it's considered necesary for the good of the channel or other
unstated reasons!
You see an Operator is doing
something bad?
If you think an Operator needs to be kicked, ask them in private to leave voluntarily first.
If you have a problem with what another Operator does, then talk to them in private.
If that does not solve it then ask a Manager or Co/Owner.
If that does not solve it then call a meeting.
If they really need kicking de-opping or banning and no one else has the power to do it
then DO IT (exceptional circumstances only)
Using CLONES, Operator (auto-kicking) SCRIPTS or Bots in #Casual is NOT ALLOWED.
We have a Channel Bot, (XL5) that is almost always online to keep nuisance at
bay. Your kicking script will just repeat actions carried out by @XL5 who will normally be faster than your script.. @XL5's script has been configured over a long period by experienced Operators and is STABLE, most other scripts are not optimised for #Casual and therefore not suitable for use
in #Casual and in fact are rendered redundant while @XL5 is online. If you use a script with auto kick facilities then TURN THEM OFF before coming on to #Casual
as they can, and do, cause problems.
There are some who think that
Operators is cool and "it’s all mine and nobody can touch me and I’ll do as I please.." etc. well that is NOT the case. There is; and has to be, a hierarchy and It Goes Like this..
OWNER
CO-OWNERS
MANAGERS
OPS
PEONS
USERS
ABUSERS
WHOEVER ISN'T ONLINE hehe
Hey, ya talking to me? You talking TO Me? (R
DeNero, Taxi Driver)
I love the smell of #Casual in the morning!
Thanx to all the loyal Managers, Operators and Users that keep coming back again and again;
especially the ones who stick with it. You all know who you are! Let’s make #Casual THE most popular Channel on AfterNet;;;;; it nearly is but not quite! :¬)
last updated 06 April 1999
Copyright AlieN 1998-1-05
Meaning.
The userlist is where X2 stores the database of all Peons. Ops, Managers, Co-Owners and Owners of a Channel. You can view the list as one whole by typing .userlist when on the channel, or see it as separate lists by using the commands below. you can access the lists of a channel from anywhere by using /msg x2 #channelname userlist
Commands to view the userlists
.plist The Peons List
.olist The Ops list
.mlist The Managers list
.clist The Co-Owners List
.wlist The Owner List
.userlist All of the above in one big list
Adding Users
It should be easy to add users to the list, just type .addop nickname, yes that's right but in reality that is not good enough for various reasons e.g. the user changes ISP or slightly changes the settings on Mirc or has a Dynamic ISP (where the DNS or Domain Number changes each time the user goes online) the results are that when they go offline and return later they no longer have their Userlist status. They are still on the userlist but if they were an Operator it no longer works, see the example below.
Example
I like MrCool with a mask of MrCool!Cooldude@Freeze.123.45.usa.com he has sent me $200 as a bribe to give him Operators on my channel, so I type .addop MrCool and X2 adds him to the list as below..
*!*cooldude@freeze*usa.com MrCool
he is happy and I go and buy a new Faster modem with my bribe, so I am happy as well.
The next day I go back online with my new faster Modem and MrCool is now MrAngry, he has been on all night and has been cussed, nuked, abused and picked on by people and he has no Ops, he demands his $200 back and proceeds to Dis me as a shiester and fraud.... I am in the brown stuff.
So what's happened? I do a /whois on MrCool and then .olist and see the following...On the OList
*!*cooldude@freeze*usa.com MrCool
On the /Whois
Oops MrCool no longer has Ops
I try to explain it to MRCool but he doesn't understand all the technical jargon and refuses to believe me, he says he is sending his Godfather Don Cologneowny around to collect.....
Adding Users The Right Methods
The new policy at #Casual is to add the user using only the ident part of the mask and then getting the user to put in a password, a user mask is like this nickname!ident@domain.ISP or the DNS equivalent of nickname!ident@#.#.#.# (#=the numbers)
So .addop *!*ident@* Nickname is how we do it now, if I had done the same with MrCool it would be .addop *!*cooldude@* MrCool simple huh?
Why This method? For simplicity, security and usability it is the best way, as they always get their Operators status and the password stops anyone spoofing their mask thereby negating the possibility of channel takeovers unless the user gives his password to someone and if that is the case we would know so that user would be in deep trouble.
You must insist the user puts a password on and explain how they can do this or point them to this article, below is how to enter a password and a remote that can be used to authorise the user when they come online without having to manually enter password.
To put a password on your Operators status in the userlist type /msg X2 pass #casual * password (password=your password) that 's all you need to do.. if you want to change your password later type /msg X2 pass #casual oldpassword newpassword ...but please don't use an OBVIOUS password i.e. your nickname, as that will be easy to guess. To get Ops you have to type in /msg X2 login #casual nick password then op yourself as normal.
If you want to get ops faster write yourself an alias i.e. /login /msg x2 login #casual nick password if you put that in Tools/Remotes, when you type /login you will get authorisation and all you have to do from then on is .up as normal. You could also put it in options/perform simply put /login in the perform window and every time you login to AfterNet you get Operators status.
You MUST also turn auto Ops OFF (type .togop off) as X2 will mistakenly Op you without you having to give the password when you enter the channel, this is bad because having a password is rendered useless when you have togop on.
All Operators should put in a password for their OPs enablement as soon as possible and never tell anyone else you password even the channel owner. If you forget your password Email AlieN alien.being@net.ntl.com only he can reset your password so you can re-enter it.
Ban Commands:
The quick command for a ban is:
.b nick
(or .kb nick to kick and
ban)
The command for a ban or when the user's not online is: .b
nick!username@host.domain
The manual command (secret) for a ban is: /msg x2 #channelname +b
nick!username@host.domain (you can even do this from another channel)
Wildcards (*'s) may be substituted, and should be substituted, in order to cover the changeable parts of the user's mask. See Types of Ban below
Bans may need to be dropped and put back up with additional wildcards in order to keep a clever user (ban-evader) off the channel. Their nick is the most variable of all the parts, so a * is nearly always used in place of the nick, except in the cases where it is the nick itself which is objectionable. The key to a good ban is to ban the person you want without banning any innocent people using the same ISP. A standard ban identifies the username and ISP of the lamer.
Types of ban:
example user is lamer!Moron@nerd_1.idiot.com
The Nickban: .b
lamer!*@* very easy to evade.
The Standard ban:
.b
*!moron@*nerd_1.idiot.com easy to evade.
The Hostban (siteban):
.b *!*@nerd_1.idiot.com
not so easy to evade but bans a whole area.
domain ban: *!*@*.idiot.com
not easy to evade but bans a whole ISP
The hostban and domainban should only be used in exceptional circumstances, as it prevents many innocent users
from entering your channel.
Each type of ban has its use. Substitute numbers for the
host.domain part of the ban
if they are using a numeric IP (@nerd_1.idiot.com
would be
@123.456.78.90) the
last two or three number are the changeable ones and represent the host part of
the mask. Careful selection of the numbers you wildcard * can ensure you are
banning only the offender and not everyone else on the ISP.
You can ban the entire world if you want... (.b
*!*@*) Simply put, the more wildcards you use, the more likely you are to keep the bad guy off your channel... but the more likely you are to exclude a lot of other people too. Use just enough *'s to counteract the user's ability to change his mask.
The best way to learn bans it to practice them and see how they work. If you want some help online, just ask an experienced Op, you can pop into a test channel together and practice bans.
Unbanning:
The easiest way to unban is to right mouse click the middle of the MIRC channel window and select Channel Modes from the pop-up menu, here you will see a list of banned users, select the ones you want to unban and hit the unban button.
To manually unban a user: type .ub nick
(when they are online) or
.ub nick!username@host.domain if they are not.
You can also use the manual (secret) command: /msg x2
#channelname ub nick!username@host.domain using copy and paste off
a /whois nickname
makes this easier, you can even do this from
another channel or from a DCC chat.
The Permanent Banlist:
There is another type of ban for very bad or persistent offenders and that is the Permanent Ban (or
Banlist/ShitList) it's the same as above but use
.addban (or .delban
to unban) before their nick or mask, to see the Permanent banlist type
.blist (usually only senior
Operators can do this type of ban)
When You Cannot Get Rid Of An Offending User:
If you find yourself facing an experienced ban-evader or hacker that you cannot keep off the channel then it's time to get help, firstly ask an experienced Op, if there is one online, or find an IRCop to help you out. An IRCop
may or may not KLine or GLine the offender off the IRC Server or advise you how to ban them yourself.
Based on an original by- Drew Wilson/lurky of IRC, (all credits and thanks to Lurky for an excellent lesson) edited to suit #Casual by AlieN
A Hacker Someone who tries to get unauthorised access to a computer or network of computers (usually remotely via a LAN or modem) They can be categorised in order of seriousness as below.
Nosey Hacker They get in and take a look around. Relatively harmless but annoying, they might be able to get your personal details off correspondence and read your passwords and ISP account details and use them to spoof (use your account to hack anonymously etc) or misuse your private information. Of course this is potentially dangerous as they might have your real name and address or even credit card details. See also Hackers Tools
Takeover Hacker This hacker may try to take over a computer or network and either deny the normal use of it (Denial Of Service or DOS attack) or change web pages, usually by announcing themselves or their group on the index or intro page of the site. They may try to takeover an IRC channel by spoofing a channel operators mask and then kick-banning all the other Operators off the channel thereby making it theirs. Again this is more annoying than anything and for a network or IRC channel potentially dangerous.
Killer Hacker This is the most serious type of hacker as they will try to destroy the computer software or Operating System and data on a computer or network. They may try to format the hard drives or take down a server or remove vital files that stop the operating system from running. They may corrupt or delete the data on the system and could even upload a virus into the computer or network that can be difficult and costly to remove.
Generally more intelligent and computer literate than hackers, potentially VERY dangerous! Usually a cracker will spend time trying to crack software to break the protection so it can be duplicated, pirated or illegally distributed over networks or on other media. Some crackers try to infiltrate secure networks such as banks or government institutions and have been known to make millions by a single illegal transaction. Banks etc cover up the actions of these clever crackers, who can be difficult to trace and are rarely apprehended. You are not likely to knowingly come across a top-notch cracker, but there are lots of people out there who pretend they are, if someone tells you they are the best Cracker in the world then they probably are just sad losers.
Hackers Are Nice?
If anybody tries to tell you that hackers are mostly nice people who just hack for fun then don't believe it. Hacking and Cracking is an invasion of privacy in it's mildest form and very dangerous at it's worst. Having your private details known by those you haven't authorised and possibly used against you is not nice at all.
Combating hackers on IRC
The most likely hacker you will come across are those using Netbus type programs to connect to your computer. There are many programs designed to discourage this sort of hacker including Zone Alarm a firewall available from http://www.zonealarm.com. When someone is attempting to hack your computer a firewall warns that someone is connecting to your computer! A warning though!!! lots of computers may try to scan your computer ports which has made people automatically presume they are being hacked, even though it isn't the case. If you use a firewall then expect to see regular connections from servers and try to find out the name of the IRC servers you are on or are getting scanned by, some IRC servers such as AfterNet use special programs which scan your computer for known security breeches every so often, this is done for everyones security to keep out users with open wingates and other such software which would allow easy connection and possible hack attack! If you really are being hacked, then a firewall will give an alarm and activate the anti-hacking components available.
I personally have only been hacked once whilst using IRC and was using a program called NetBuster and was pleased with it's deterrent components which included buttons to open and close the hackers CD Drawer and mess about with his mouse ports etc, the hacker didn't stay on long when I started playing with those buttons hehe. Netbuster also sent false information to the connected hacker and finally sent them a funny message telling them they have been Sussed etc.
If you are getting hacked then kicking the hacker off the channel is not enough, you need to get them or yourself off the server! You are not safe from them when you are on a server with them as once they have your DNS they can hack you at will.
Preventing IRC Hack Attacks And Channel Takeovers
It is difficult for a hacker to takeover a registered channel on Afternet if there are any channel Operators about and even when it can be done the IRCops will quickly get rid of the offenders. If a hostile takeover occurs then (if you are an Op) you will usually find yourself kick-banned from the channel. Here's how to combat the takeover attempt.
1. Stay out of the channel and go to the status window. Send a message to the channel /notify #Channelname Channel Takeover in progress normal service will be resumed as soon as possible, to the Hostiles say...You are about to DIE SUCKERS! :¬P
2. If you know the nickname(s) of the hostiles then simply kick-ban them off your channel by typing /msg X2 #Casual kb hostilenicks. Now get their DNS by typing /dns hostilenicks and ban their DNS. If you don't know them then privately message someone on the channel you trust and ask them to get their nickname if there is nobody left on the channel except for the hostiles then try /names #channelname it might show their nicknames if so do a /whois on them to get the mask/DNS
3. If they come back on then simply ban their ISP by mask and DNS to give you some time to do a workable ban that singles them out.
4. If you find yourself locked out of the channel then type /msg x2 open #channelname this command will take off any secret code or invite only setting they have put on the channel.
5. If you find you can't deal with the attack effectively then get a more experienced Operator to help you, if that isn't possible or the experienced Operator can't deal with it then get an IRCop to help you.
There two distinct types of virus senders on IRC, those that know they are sending a virus (Malicious Bastards) and those that don't (Usually Auto-Senders)
Malicious Virus Senders
Have NO mercy on those that purposely send or attempt to send anybody a virus maliciously, they are scum that deserve no favours. Just simply kick and permanently ban them off the channel and make sure EVERYONE including the IRCops, your channel users and Ops/Users on other channels know their nickname and mask/DNS if possible. I personally would spend some time chasing them around the channels attempting to get them banned off all the channels and GLINED.
Auto-Senders
The majority of these unfortunate users don't know they are sending viruses to users, through inexperience or careless actions they have managed to become infected whilst on IRC. In this case BEFORE you kick ban them announce on the channel that NOBODY Should accept files off them and if they have done so already to delete the file immediately. Now open a private chat with the offender and explain that they HAVE to leave your channel IMMEDIATELY and go to the channel called #Virus (or whatever the channel is called) and seek instruction there on how to get rid of the auto-sending virus. If they agree then take no further action except to go to #Virus yourself to make sure they go there for help. If they refuse then warn them that they will get kicked off the server if they don't comply, then Kick-ban them off the channel and report them to the IRCops.