Channel Service Frequently Asked Questions


Introduction:

This file answers some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the Undernet Channel Service and the X and W bots. If your question is not answered here, check the sources found in Section 5. If there is a question that you feel should be in here, send it to Signe@alias.undernet.org.


Section 1: General UCS/CSC questions

Section 2: General X/W Questions

Section 3: Registration Information

Section 4: Complaints and Channel Problems

Section 5: Getting More Help

Section 6: FAQ Credits



SECTION 1: General UCS/CSC Questions

Question 1.1: What is the UCS/CSC?

The Undernet Channel Service (UCS), aka the Channel Service Committee (CSC), is the Undernet committee responsible for the registration of channels and for handling problems with those channels. It is comprised of unpaid volunteers who want to help out.

Question 1.2: Who owns the UCS/CSC?

The CSC is not owned by any one person. It is an organization chartered by the Undernet administrators, and run by the CSC administrators (see 1.7). Currently David Low, aka Super, oversees the CSC.

Question 1.3: Where is the CSC's office? What is the CSC's phone number?

The CSC does not have a physical office or phone number. Some helpers and admins can be found in channel #cservice on Undernet. All correspondances should be emailed to cservice@undernet.org

Question 1.4: Who pays for the CSC? How does the CSC make a profit?

The CSC relies solely on the donation of time, disk space, and services by Undernet administrators. The CSC helpers and admins are not paid for their time. The disk space and computer time to run X/W are donated by the respective system administrators. The CSC does not charge for channel registrations, and therefore does not turn a profit.

Question 1.5: How can I become a CSC helper/admin?

Generally, CSC helpers are people who hang around on #cservice and help out answering questions. Trusted helpers are those who have been around for a while, and are trusted by the admins. CSC admins are chosen by the current administrators, usually from the trusted helpers. If you want to help out, just join #cservice and start answering questions.

Question 1.6: How can I tell if someone really is a CSC helper/admin?

Trusted helpers and admins can be verified through X/W with one of the following commands: /msg X verify nickname /msg W verify nickname Sometimes helpers may not be verifiable by this method. You should then ask #cservice if they are truly a helper. If you have the slightest doubt about someone's claim to be a helper or admin, do not hesitate to check it out. If you find that someone is impersonating a CSC admin, please report it to #cservice.

Question 1.7: Who are the admins?

Currently, the list of CSC admins is as follows: Super, Seks, cowboy, meredith, Morrissey, Chaos, Teal, jini, Jase, Signe, and AnElf


SECTION 2: General X/W Questions

Question 2.1: What are X and W? What do X and W do?

X and W are the CSC bots, written by Seks. One of these is assigned to each registered channel. For each channel, these bots maintain a userlist, which specifies who has what access and who should be opped, and a banlist, which specifies who to ban from joining the channel (or from getting ops), and for how long. They are designed to keep a channel open 24 hours a day, and prevent channel takeovers.

Question 2.2: How does this differ from any other bot?

X and W are actually each servers, not just bots. They are allowed to work this way because they are run by the Undernet administration. This allows them to do several special functions, such as regaining ops if ops are lost. Also, each bot is on a large number of channels. By having one bot for many channels, this reduces the load on the Undernet network that would be caused by having one separate bot on each channel.

Question 2.3: How do X and W differ from each other?

There is no difference between X and W as far as the commands and services availible is concerned. The only differences are that X and W each run on separate computer systems and networks, and each one handles a different list of channels. The bots are assigned to registered channels at random.

Question 2.4: Why are X/W slow sometimes? Why do X/W disappear sometimes?

Just like any other bot or user on Undernet, X and W are subject to lag and netsplits caused by bad connections between Undernet servers. This can cause X and W to slow down drastically (sometimes up to 5 minutes lag), and even disappear. If this happens, please be patient. Be assured that Undernet and CSC admins are working to get them back to normal as quickly as possible in the event of a problem.

Question 2.5: Why doesn't the CSC put X/W on a better system?

X and W each require a lot of disk space and computer resources. And on top of this, they need to be run on a machine that is an Undernet server. Currently, the system administrators of irc.ucdavis.edu (davis.ca.us.undernet.org) and irc.wildstar.net (okc.ok.us.undernet.org) are donating the neccessary resources. While it is possible to move X and W, it is not feasible, as there is not another system to move one of them to right now, and moving them involves a lot of time and work.


SECTION 3: Registration Information

Question 3.1: Why would I want to register my channel?

Registration not only provides you with the ability to keep your channel open 24 hours a day, it also gives the channel stability. In the case of a channel takeover, the manager always has ultimate control to regain the channel. Also, it provides you with a way to have users auto-op'd, and a more permanent banlist.

Question 3.2: What channels can get X/W onto it?

Almost any Undernet channel can be registered. The only types of channels that are currently excluded are warez-type channels, and channels dealing with child pornography, although the CSC admins do reserve the right to reject any channel registration for any reason that they deem valid. Do not try to change the name of one of these types of channels, or try and conceal the channel activity, as CSC has many ways of finding out the true uses of a channel.

Question 3.3: How do I get X/W on to a channel?

To get X/W onto your channel, the channel must be registered. In order to do this, you must first have some consensus on the channel as to who will be the channel manager. Then you must have 10 supporters. Supporters are people who frequent your channel (not neccessarily ops), and want you to register it. Once you have these two things, you need to fill out the registration form, which you can get on WWW or on IRC by doing: "/msg Helpbot get XForm" Once you have filled out the application, email it to cservice@undernet.org

Question 3.4: Why does the application require supporters?

Supporters are required because the CSC only registers established, well used channels. By requiring supporters, CSC can know that there are at least 10 people who use this channel. It also prevents users with malicious intents from taking over a channel by registering it out from under the true users of the channel.

Question 3.5: Can I have more than one manager?

The CSC frowns greatly on multiple channel managers. This is because in the case of a dispute between channel managers, there is no way for CSC to mediate. Multiple managers are only allowed in extreme circumstances, and to have more than one manager you must petition cservice@undernet.org with the reasons.

Question 3.6: What is the registration process?

After your registration form is received by the CSC, it is grouped together with all the applications that come in withing the same 1 or 2 week span as it. These are compiled into a pre-registration list which is then posted to the cservice mailing list, and the alt.irc.undernet newsgroup. This is the posting period, and it lasts for 1 week. During this time CSC watches for any objections to the registration. If there are some, they are evaluated by CSC, and if deemed valid, the registration is rejected. If there are no objections, your channel goes into a list of channels waited to be added to X/W. At this point you are emailed saying that your registration has been accepted, and you are also sent a copy of the manager's FAQ. Within 1 to 1 1/2 weeks after you receive your acceptance letter, you channel will be added to X/W, and you may begin configuring whichever one you are assigned.

Question 3.7: Why does registration take so long?

Every week, there are many registrations to be processed. Some weeks there are over 250 applications. Each of these applications must be checked for completeness, checked to see if it is already registered, and then compiled into the pre-registration list. Then the posting period must pass, objections must be evaluated, and a final registration list compiled. All of this work is done by one CSC admin, who is a volunteer who has other things to do, such as work or school. After this final list is compiled, it must be reviewed by the admins, and then they must make time to add all the channels, which is a time consuming task. This is why the registration process takes so long.

Question 3.8: How can I check to see if my channel has been added?

You can check to see if your channel has been added to X or W by typing the following commands to check both bots:

Question 3.9: It's been more than a month since I sent in my application, and I haven't heard anything from CSC, what should I do?

If you do not hear anything from CSC, one of several things may have happened: So if a month has passed, and you have not heard anything, your best bet is to resend your application, and put a note at the top stating that the application was submitted over a month ago, and you have not heard anything back from CSC, so could someone kindly tell you what the status of your application is.

Question 3.10: What if I have problems (such as a takeover) before my channel is added to X/W?

Because your channel is not technically a registered channel until it is actually added to X or W, there is nothing that CSC or #cservice can do to help you with channel problems at this point. You need to talk to an IRCOp, which you can find on #wasteland, and ask them if they will help you out.

Question 3.11: My channel is added, what do I do now?

Congratulations, you are now a channel manager. The channel manager's FAQ, which you will have received by email before now, will tell you how to set up the channel and userlist. Please read the manager's FAQ thoroughly.

Question 3.12: Can I register more than one channel?

Each user is allowed to register one channel. They may, in addition to this channel, register a help channel that provides assistance to users for things such as: Software products, Internet services, Internet Service Providers. If you are unsure if you channel falls under this category, email cservice@undernet.org and ask. ("Each user" is defined as a person, not as an email address. If you have multiple email addresses, you may not register multiple channels. One channel, and optionally one help channel, per person)

Question 3.13: What if I want to switch channel names?

Since the registration is for the channel, there is no provision for changing channel names. If you wish to do this, you must fill out a new application for the new channel and submit it, following the normal registration process. At the top of your application, write a note saying that your are the channel manager of #youroldchannel and would like to have it purged from the registered channels list in order to register a different channel.


SECTION 4: Complaints and Channel Problems

Question 4.1: How can I complain about X/W being on a channel?

If you think you have a valid reason why X/W should not be on a registered channel (see 4.2), such as the manager is never around, or it is a warez or child pornography channel, you can email your complaint to cservice@undernet.org. If there is a lot of support for your complaint, please include the email addresses and nicks of those who support you in your letter (do NOT have everyone send a separate letter). The CSC admins will evaluate your complaint, and if it is valid, action will be taken.

Question 4.2: I don't like the content of a channel with X/W on it, what can I do?

Because CSC does not consider content during the registration process, excepting warez and child porn channels, there is nothing you can do about this. The CSC specifically disclaims responsibility for the content of a channel, and the way the manager chooses to run the channel, as it would be an overwhelming task for CSC to police every registered channel.

Question 4.3: I was kicked/banned from a channel with X/W on it for no reason, who can I complain to?

As stated in 4.2 above, the CSC has no reponsibility for, nor say over how a manager, and those he gives operator status to, choose to run the channel. A channel operator can kick and/or ban someone for any reason they choose, or no reason at all. Therefore there is noone taht you can complain to about this except the people who run that specific channel (the manager).

Question 4.4: I tried to deop/kick X/W, but I got this message that says I can't do that. Why?

Because X and W are Undernet services that exist to provide stability to registered channels, the Undernet and CSC admins have chosen to modify the Undernet servers to make it so that X and W cannot be kicked or deopped. By doing this, the stability of registered channels is greatly increased, and the load on the Undernet IRC network is decreased. This modification is in effect on some, but not all, Undernet servers at this point in time.

Question 4.5: I deopped/kicked X/W, why did people get on my case about doing that?

As stated in 4.4 above, X and W exist to provide channel stability. When they are deopped or kicked, their ability to maintain the channel is disrupted, in addition to the fact that this places an extra load on the Undernet network. For this reason, these actions are responded to by CSC admins and/or helpers so that it will not happen again. If X/W is repeatedly deopped and kicked on a channel, that channel can be removed from the registered channels list, and X/W removed from the channel.

Question 4.6: Admins/Helpers say that I deopped/kicked X/W, but I didn't!

If a CSC admin or helper comes onto a channel and says that you kicked or deopped X/W, they are going to be right 99% of the time. It is possible that you are running scripts or remotes that have deopped or kicked X/W without your knowledge. If this is the case, explain to the admin or helper that you did not deop/kick X/W consciously, and they will probably be able to help you fix your script or remote so that it does not happen again.

Question 4.7: A CSC helper/admin was very rude to me, what can I do?

If you think an admin or helper was unnecessarily rude or abusive towards you, please make sure you have a log of the incident. Email this log, and a note explaining the situation, to cservice@undernet.org. The admins will read and evaluate the situation, and respond accordingly.


SECTION 5: Getting More Help

Question 5.1: How can I get help for X/W on IRC?

The CSC maintains a help channel on Undernet called #cservice. There are helpers and/or admins on this channel almost all the time. However, please make sure you have checked this FAQ, and the Op FAQ before asking a question there. If there is noone there to answer your question, you can email it to cservice@undernet.org.

Question 5.2: How can I get a copy of the manager's FAQ?

The manager's FAQ is availible several ways:

Question 5.3: How can I get a copy of the Op FAQ?

The Op FAQ is availible several ways:

Question 5.4: Where are the CSC WWW pages?

CSC maintains 2 WWW pages, one for X, and one for W. On these pages, besides getting information about CSC and X/W, you can access channel userlists, banlists, chaninfo, and perform a whois search on Undernet. These pages are located at:

Question 5.5: What if I have other questions?

If none of these methods work, and you still have questions, feel free to email them to cservice@undernet.org


SECTION 6: FAQ Credits

This FAQ was composed by Todd Palino (Signe). Some of the questions were gathered from the original Xfaq.general.

All comments, quips, quotes, and additions should be sent to Signe@alias.undernet.org


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