Re: IRC

["Mark Hetherington" <mark.egroups@xxxxxxx>]

--- In ukha_d@y..., "Kenneth Watt" <kennethwatt@y...>
wrote:
> Mark,
>
> Can we please hold a vote using the forum on a an IRC format, we
really
> do need to get this sorted as it would make life a lot easier for
> everyone involved and we need a common platform. There has been much
> talk of this and so far nothing has come of it and you would think
that
> a bright bunch like us could set up a stupid chat area without
breaking
> int  cold sweats :-)

If it is of any use t  the group, I am a partner in an IRC network
with the primary server located in London, UK and a full set of IRC
services similar to those Dalnet i.e. Nickserv Chanserv and Memoserv.
IIRC Efnet does not offer services on their network which is often
the cause of the takeovers that were very common on my last visit
there.

> FWIW, I really don't care what format we use just so long as we pick
> one! My vote is for using the Yahoo Chat on the forum as is. It's
easy,
> there and already for a lot of the chit-chat that takes place.
>
> My only fear is that a lot of info that is informative and
interesting
> may be lost in a chat area as opposed to being able t  be read by
all
> members at their leisure.

Some of the stuff I have been playing with for the IRC network allows
me t  optionally offer both a web page displaying the current chat in
the channel and full logs of chat which can then be analysed by a
stats program and the original can be archived for people so that we
do not lose any interesting discussion that may come up in the
channel.

> Personally I don't have a problem with the
> huge amount of mail as much of it is entertaining and/or helpful,
even
> if it does cost me money, but I can understand that some may well
be put
> off by it.
>
> We could also set up a "Philchat" on an IRC server somewhere
:-)
with
> the age old, some people may find this offensive or a parental
advisory
> warning :-))

I can imagine a secondary channel (#philchat) to complement the
primary #ukha being useful as well as maybe a #ukhaproject channel.

Anyway if people are interested we can get to work setting up the
various components we would need for the IRC side and try t  locate a
suitable program for e***s as mentioned elsewhere by someone (John?).

BTW, those people who think Instant Messaging is a better indicator
of whether someone is at the computer, it is relatively easy t  see
if someone is actively using IRC with /whois. It will return an idle
time for the user that is often more accurate than the aut  status
changes made by the IM programs.

On the rare occasions I use IM programs I tend t  force the status t
extended away or equivalent t  avoid those people I do not wish t
get distracted by and give me chane to get settled at the computer
before being deluged by anyone who noticed me "logon" t  the
computer :). I actually stopped using most IM programs since they are
blocked by the office firewall at work. IRC is open since some work
related companies have IRC chats from time t  time.

Usage:

/whois nickname

If you are on a different server t  the user, you have t  use

/whois whois nickname

(double whois)


Mark.




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