irc:channelsetup

Documents the IRC channel setup/configuration for #freebsd* channels

  • Disable GUARD: ChanServ does not inhabit channel. /cs set #<channel> GUARD off
  • Enable SECURE: Users without +o flag cannot gain operator status /cs set #<channel> SECURE on
  • Enable TOPICLOCK: /topic can only be set by /cs /topic (and users with +t). Note: Enables KEEPTOPIC /cs set #<channel> KEEPTOPIC on
  • Enable PUBACL: Channel access list is public. /cs set #<channel> PUBACL on

All channels shall have the following configuration set:

  • Channel modes: +cCgnt-iljksf set via /cs set <channel> MLOCK
  • Channel ban list: /mode <channel> +bq $j:#freebsd $j:#freebsd (all channels inherit #freebsd banlist, see Libera Guide: extbans (TODO)
    • Note: +q $j:<#channel> can be set, but doesn't work (but probably should, allowing inheriting quiet lists separately from / in addition to banlists)
    • Exception: #freebsd (by definition, it inherits its own ban list)
  • #freebsd channel modes: Baseline + +Frf #freebsd-irc
  • #freebsd-ops channel modes: Baseline + +i (and remove -i) #TODO
  • #freebsd-pulse channel modes: Baseline + -nc (remove +nc), so bots can message channel without joining and with colours for event formatting

Where access is provided on a channel-specific basis, the following standard flags should be set.

Channel leads are responsible for ensuring and cultivating a great user experience within the context of a specific channel. They also seek to promote use and growth of the channel.

Flags: /cs flags <channel> <nickname> +toer

  • t: Enables use of the topic and topicappend commands
  • o: Ability to op oneself if, and when necessary
  • e: Exemption from bans (+b) and enables un-banning self
  • r: Enables use of the unban command

All #freebsd* channels:

  • SHOULD be registered by IRC Admin, in the standard configuration.

If they are not registered by IRC Admin,

  • IRC Admin MUST have access to the channel for management purposes. (TODO)
  • IRC Admin MUST be set as a successor (+s) to the channel in the access list (TODO)
  • MUST have channel founders or managers that are active. (TODO)

We regularly audit and review channels registered within our namespace (#freebsd*). Any channels found in the list not meeting the criteria above are marked for pruning and deregistered accordingly.

  • List channels: /msg alis list *#freebsd*

Other reason classes for de-registration include:

  • Defunct, stale, out-of-date.
  • No longer in use, lack of activity
  • Inappropriate, abusive, trolling or reputation affecting

Information that is used to determine channel state can include:

  • Channel registration information: cs info #<channel>
    • Registration date
    • Last used date
    • Registrant (known/unknown)
  • User activity (number of used currently, over time)
  • Current topic or entry message

Libera.chat has a set of self-service bots available for ban management, including litharge, based on ChanTracker.

Per the Libera.chat documentation,

When requesting litharge for your channel, simply /invite litharge #yourchannel. This bot will need the +o flag in your channel so that it can op itself to remove bans when they expire; /msg chanserv flags #yourchannel litharge +o.

From the github documentation, the user inviting the bot is its “owner”, but other users can be added to litharge's admin list as follows (untested):

!user register opaccount password
!hostmask add opaccount *!*@something
!admin capability add opaccount #myChannel,op

…after which the user can issue private messages to the bot like:

/msg litharge 10m argumentative again
/msg litharge 30d silly spammer
  • irc/channelsetup.txt
  • Last modified: 2022/06/20 02:22
  • by MasonLoringBliss