[b][size=200]The MFGG IRC has been shut down due to most of its regulars moving on to Discord. If you'd like to chat with us, please join Club Saturn EX [url=https://discord.gg/YD9C9Ex]here[/url].[/size][/b] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/nIB9sWp.png[/img][/center]This is an IRC-based chatroom that is strives to be the ideal chat for the MFGG community--free to join, (relatively) easy to control, and with rules based on the forum's. Spoilered below is an essay explaining the rationale for making an IRC-based chatroom, as well as the chat rules. It's a bit lengthy, though you should probably read it over nonetheless. [spoiler]Recently, I've been thinking about creating a new chat. While the Skype chat allows MFGGers to chat with each other in real time, it also permits content that may be unsuitable for the MFGG forums. Also, potential users must be explicitly approved by two admins before being permitted entry. My vision for an MFGG chatroom is a bit... different. Here is my objective: I want to create a chat that [i]could[/i] be official. [i]It might never be official[/i], but it's designed in such a way that it has the best chances of being official. So how do I make a pseudo-official MFGG chat? [size=150][b]1) It's open to all MFGGers[/b][/size] Rather than have a quasi-private chat on bloated software, this chat is open to all of MFGG by default--intended to be as free of potential bias as possible. As long as you aren't banned somewhere on MFGG, and as long as you don't cause trouble in the chat itself, you are welcome to take part in it. However, an open chat like this is going to need some powerful means to keep it running in an orderly fashion. That is why... [size=150][b]2) It's on IRC[/b][/size] IRC, or Internet Relay Chat, is a protocol for chatting with others over the internet. While it is old technology, it is nonetheless quite powerful, and services like Chanserv offer great control over how a channel runs. IRC is not tied to a specific program; there are a number of software clients that let you access IRC, whether they be browser embeds like Mibbit or a Windows executable with extensive features like mIRC. I have chosen EsperNET for our IRC network, being the network I am most familiar with. It also has more than enough features and services to do the job. The FamiTracker and Minecraft modding communities use EsperNET for their chatting needs. So, it's an open chat with great control over how it can be run. For a pseudo-official MFGG chat, however, we need... [size=150][b]3) Rules that are based on MFGG's[/b][/size] The rules of the IRC chat are based on MFGG's rules, and it aims to be as family friendly as the forums. Thus, any behavior that is unsuitable for MFGG is also unsuitable there. Here are the rules as written in CocoBot: [quote]The rules are similar to the MFGG forum rules ( http://phpbb.mfgg.net/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=240 ). You may also want to read the EsperNet charter ( https://www.esper.net/charter.php ). Special notes and differences to the MFGG forum rules are listed below: 1) The forum's swear filter is enforced by CocoBot. Using words that are forbidden on the forums will get you kicked. 2) You may have multiple nicknames, provided everyone knows who you are. Don't masquerade as other users, and don't let others use your nick. 3) No bashing or insulting others, especially if they aren't in the channel. If you won't say it to their faces, don't say it at all. 4) It is recommended to use the forums if you wish to have debates that may get heated. 5) Don't attempt to play more than one game at a time. DO NOT try to flood, break, or hack CocoBot--this will get you a swift ban. 6) Conversation takes priority over bot games. If people are talking, ask if it is okay before starting a game. In short, be a civil, reasonable contributor to the chatroom. Operators can and will use common sense as necessary. The ops reserve the right to change these rules as they feel necessary.[/quote] Unlike the forums, the way IRC handles rule violations is somewhat different. For smaller offenses (e.g. prohibited swear words, typing nonsense), you will simply get a verbal warning or you may be kicked from the channel. Often you will be able to rejoin after being kicked--think of it as a warning that's a bit harder to ignore. More serious infractions (e.g. overt flaming, trolling, op sass, repeated minor offenses) will get you quieted or banned.[/spoiler] EsperNET does not have different statuses for different flavors of operators, but ChanServ allows me to define templates for its permission flags, allowing for a hierarchy of ops. Currently, #MFGG has Founder, Successor, Admin, Mod, and Voice as templates. [b]Mod:[/b] They're auto-opped upon identifying, able to kick, set bans and quiets, change most channel modes, give temporary voice, and give/get invites and keys (not used on #MFGG) [b]Admin:[/b] In addition to the above, they can use ChanServ's SET command to change various settings and can modify the access list (meaning they can make more mods and admins). [b]Successor:[/b] Near-total channel control, making them essentially deputy owners. In addition to the above, they can use ChanServ's RECOVER command to stop a takeover or CLEAR to kick everyone from the channel, and can have ChanServ unban themselves if a rogue operator tries to ban them. And, as the name implies, one of them will become the founder if I disappear. [b]Founder:[/b] Total channel control. Possesses the big red button that make the channel go boom. [b]Voice:[/b] Mostly a status symbol for respected users, but also allows these users to speak if user messages are blocked via +m. [u][b]Your current channel operators are:[/b][/u] [list][*]CapnCoconuts (Founder) [*]VinnyVideo (Successor) [*]Dustinvgmaster (Successor) [*]Techokami (Admin) [*]Blutorus (Admin) [*]Elyk (Mod) [*]Gato (Mod) [*]Miles3298 (Mod) [*]CocoBot (bot): Use [b]!help[/b] in the channel for more information on his features. If you use forum-filtered language in this chat, CocoBot will kick you.[/list] [b][u]Voiced users:[/u][/b] [list][*]Minus0 (Can of Nothing) [*]Texelsaur (Retriever II) [*]Vitiman [*]Nite_Shadow[/list] [b]There are two kinds of people who can serve as operators:[/b] 1) [b]Mainsite or forum staff.[/b] Everyone currently on the staff is encouraged to be part of the chat, and as they're trusted enough to be on the staff, they also get special privileges. Those who aren't interested in being ops will instead be voiced. 2) MFGGers who are aren't site staff or mods, but are nonetheless [i]individuals who strive to be friendly, open-minded, level-headed, and impartial[/i] in disputes regardless of the subject or who is involved. They must be trustworthy and capable of handling such responsibility. Model MFGG citizens who aren't opped can be voiced instead. UPDATE (12/25/15): Unless you are on the mainsite/forum staff, please do not ask to be opped. Future non-staff ops will be chosen with careful consideration and advice from staff members. [u][b]Network/channel information:[/b][/u] [b]Network:[/b] EsperNET (irc.esper.net) [b]Channel:[/b] #MFGG If you have your own client and can open IRC URLs, [url=irc://irc.esper.net/MFGG]click here.[/url] If you don't have an IRC client and you don't want to download one, you can choose one of the following web IRC clients (a word of caution though, these don't support too many features). [list][*][b][url=https://kiwiirc.com/client/irc.esper.net/?#MFGG]KiwiIRC[/url][/b]: Stylish appearance, advertised as mobile friendly, doesn't support sending styled text [*][b][url=http://webchat.esper.net/?nick=MFGG_Guest&channels=MFGG&prompt=1]Iris (EsperNET Webchat)[/url][/b]: Minimalist, lightweight, ad-free, doesn't support sending styled text [*][b][url=http://chat.mibbit.com/]Mibbit[/url][/b]: Partial support for sending styled text (you can make an entire message one color, but that's it). [*][b][url=http://www.wsirc.com/?username=wsirc_*****&server=irc.esper.net%3A6667&channel=%23MFGG]WSIRC[/url][/b]: Decent styled text support (color, bold, italics).[/list] If you [i]do[/i] want to download a client, you can try one of these. All of these are free of charge and should have full color support. [list][*][b][url=https://hexchat.github.io/]HexChat[/url][/b] (Windows/Mac/Linux): A fork of Xchat, this client's got plenty of features at no cost to you. [*][b][url=http://www.adiirc.com/]AdiIRC[/url][/b] (Windows, Mac/Linux with Wine): Seems to be a sort of free alternative to mIRC. Also has lots of features. The program should run almost any mIRC script. [*][b][url=http://www.androirc.com/]AndroIRC[/url][/b] (Android): IRC client for Android devices that supports sending colored text. [*][b][url=http://www.mutterirc.com/]Mutter[/url][/b] (iOS): IRC client for iOS devices. Supports reading colored text but apparently not sending it.[/list] [b][u]Helpful Links[/u][/b] It is recommended that new users read the tutorial and learn how to register and protect their nicks. Ops should read the channel operator's guide, the channel modes, and know how to use ChanServ. [list][*][b][url=http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/irctutorial.html]IRCHelp.org's IRC Tutorial[/url][/b] [*][b][url=http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/changuide.html]The New IRC Channel Operator's Guide[/url][/b] [*][b][url=http://esper.net/ircd.php]EsperNet Channel and User Modes[/url][/b] [*][b][url=http://esper.net/services.php]EsperNet Network Services[/url][/b]: General services info. For more information, use the services' HELP commands while connected to EsperNet.[/list] There's also some help below, but it's not as detailed as some of the above pages. [spoiler]Words in <ANGLE BRACKETS> are parameters; replace them with whatever is appropriate. [b]/help[/b] -- this is the most important command, compatible with all good IRC clients. This brings up your client's help text, and can guide you with any commands that are not listed here or are specific to your client. [b]/server <server>[/b] -- has you connect to a <server> (e.g. irc.esper.net). [b]/reconnect[/b] -- reconnects you to a network if you were disconnected. [b]/join <channel>[/b] -- has you join <channel>. You can use this if you're kicked to rejoin #MFGG. [b]/part[/b] -- has you leave the channel you're viewing. [b]/msg <nick> <message>[/b] -- sends a private message to <nick>. [b]/query[/b] is similar, but forces opening a new window/tab while /msg does not. [b]/whois <nick>[/b] -- shows information about a nickname. If the person is no longer online or if you want to see some history, use [b]/whowas[/b]. [b]/nick <newnick>[/b] -- changes your nickname to <newnick> [b]/me <text>[/b] -- sends a message with you as the subject, e.g. [i]<CapnCoconuts> goes for a walk[/i] [b]/ignore <nick>[/b] -- Someone getting under your skin? /ignore will hide any future messages. [b]/unignore <nick>[/b] -- Removes /ignore. Some op commands: [b]/kick <nick>[/b] -- Forcibly expels $nick from the channel. Generally should be used after applying a ban. [b]/mode <channel> +b <nick>!<ident>@<hostname>[/b] -- bans a user from a channel, silencing him and disallowing him from rejoining it. You can ban by a user's nick, a user's set ident/username in their client, or by IP address/hostname. Given the fact that troublemakers could change their nickname and continue ravaging the channel in 5 seconds, I often prefer banning by the hostname, e.g. *!*@31.63.127.255. Asterisks represent a wildcard. Many IRC clients have [b]/ban[/b] as a short form of this command. Setting mode -b or using /unban removes the ban. [b]/mode <channel> +b[/b] -- Using this command without any of the hostmask above simply prints the ban list. [b]/mode $channel +m[/b] -- Sets the channel to "moderated", muting ordinary users. Only ops (+o) and voiced users (+v) may send messages. Set -m to remove moderation. If you want to protect your nickname or want channel privileges, you must register via NickServ. NickServ is a server bot that handles account management. Some clients will let you substitute [b]/ns[/b] in place of [b]/msg NickServ.[/b] [b]/msg NickServ help[/b] -- asks NickServ for help. This also gets you a list of commands that aren't listed here. [b]/msg NickServ register <password> <e-mail>[/b] -- Registers your current nickname with your chosen password. A way to verify your registration will be sent to your e-mail address. [b]/msg NickServ identify <password>[/b] -- Identifies you as the owner of your nickname. Operators can also take advantage of the channel management service, or ChanServ. Some clients will let you substitute [b]/cs[/b] in place of [b]/msg ChanServ[/b]. For help, send [b]/msg ChanServ help[/b] . There are some other services as well; MemoServ for instance lets you send messages to registered users who aren't online.[/spoiler] If CocoBot is online, you can use the following commands: [spoiler][b]!Rules[/b] -- Displays an abridged version of the IRC rules. [b]!UnoHelp[/b] -- Displays Uno commands and provides a link to official Uno rules. [b]!ATAHelp[/b] -- Displays Apples to Apples commands and provides a link to that game's rules. [b]!roll <dice>[/b] -- Rolls dice and does integer math. For example, !roll 1d6+2 would roll a 6-sided die and add 2. [b]/msg CocoBot !sendroll <nick> <dice>[/b] -- Sends roll results to someone else. [b]/msg CocoBot !Report <message>[/b] -- This is the chat's report system which should only be used in case of rule-breaking (spamming, flaming, etc.). Using this commend will send a memo to all ops and will print your message in the ops channel. This command has strict flood control, so don't try to send more than one report in a five minute period. [b]This command only works if you are in channel #MFGG. If you cannot join #MFGG due to op abuse, contact me directly via forum PM.[/b][/spoiler] [b][u]Stats:[/u][/b] [url=http://mfggirc.net23.net/]Click here to see the stats pages.[/url]

Did you get permission to do this? And there's no such thing as an ideal chat environment, soon as there's no admin watching the chat then it's essentially unmoderated, and it can't be watched 24/7.

[quote="Kritter"]Did you get permission to do this?[/quote] i'd assume that much like the skype group this is "unofficial". and on that note i'm not 100% sure why an IRC is wholly necessary. i guess it's another chat option yea but so far anything that isn't the skype group hasn't gotten very far off the ground in the past.

[quote="Kritter"]Did you get permission to do this?[/quote] VinnyVideo seemed okay with the idea. Though I should clarify that the chat is [i]pseudo-official.[/i] Even if I didn't get permission, there aren't any rules that remotely forbid me from doing it. Please clarify otherwise, if that's the case. [quote]And there's no such thing as an ideal chat environment, soon as there's no admin watching the chat then it's essentially unmoderated, and it can't be watched 24/7.[/quote] To tell you the truth, there's not really a such thing on this Earth as an ideal anything. And while it cannot be watched 24/7 (at least, not by me alone), it can be logged. If someone decides to post filth in the channel while I am asleep, I can know about it, and I can deal with it with extreme prejudice. That said, #MFGG [i]strives[/i] to be the ideal chatting experience. I assure you that I know the basic history of past IRC channels and I am taking measures to keep certain infamous happenings from happening again.

I don't think this will work. I mean, I liked the idea of having more detailed and a bit more stricter rules, but I think Skype is much better for something like this. It's much easier to use, especially for mobile. I dunno, I'm not a big fan of this.

Now introducing an automated card playing virtual buddy... [center][size=200][b]COCOBOT![/b][/size][/center] CocoBot is a swell guy, capable of hosting Uno, dice rolling plus integer math, and automated contextual kicking. He may have other features in the future. [quote="Mors"]I don't think this will work. I mean, I liked the idea of having more detailed and a bit more stricter rules, but I think Skype is much better for something like this. It's much easier to use, especially for mobile. I dunno, I'm not a big fan of this.[/quote] Skype is bloated. Also, for a chat that is free to join, great customization and control (through ChanServ) is necessary. You may find it more convenient to use a client designed for mobile devices.

I can't say it's official, but it's a lot more relevant to MFGG than the other IRC group that's been known as the MFGG IRC. While IRC is a fairly old standard, it has a number of advantages over a Skype chat: It uses an open standard that supports a variety of interfaces, it doesn't hog system resources the way Skype does, and it's ad-free. EDIT: Another advantage of IRC is it's easy to leave or join at any time. One of the things that annoyed me when I was in the Unofficial MFGG Skype group is if I was away for a few hours or a few days, I would sometimes have hundreds or even thousands of messages to wade through.

This is awesome. not sure if I qualify, but I am interested in being an op. :3 I like to think I am pretty level headed and friendly, plus i dislike drama and trolling. I will register with nickserv asap. Edit:registered! :biggrin:

I'm afraid I'm not very comfortable with someone who's barely a regular having control over an MFGG-related chatroom. You've got 143 posts and only one badge. :/

I would want to help with the IRC too, I had a few ones on the past.

[quote="Shadow Coconuts"]I'm afraid I'm not very comfortable with someone who's barely a regular having control over an MFGG-related chatroom. You've got 143 posts and only one badge. :/[/quote] oh okay. Maybe that's motivation for me to post more regularly than asking for coding assistance most of the time. :laugh:

[quote="Shadow Coconuts"]You've got 143 posts and only one badge. :/[/quote] Badges and post don't really matter. Just because someone only has one badge and 143 posts doesn't mean he can't be an IRC op. It depends if he is mature enough and knows how to handle things.

[quote="Sevrault"][quote="Shadow Coconuts"]You've got 143 posts and only one badge. :/[/quote] Badges and post don't really matter. Just because someone only has one badge and 143 posts doesn't mean he can't be an IRC op. It depends if he is mature enough and knows how to handle things.[/quote] it depends if they don't have much relevance to the forums that the IRC is for. plus not having enough posts might not be enough to tell other operators how the person is generally.

Being MFGG-related (at least, more related than MFGG IRC post-2009), I take into account how long and how active people have been at MFGG, as well as what they've been doing during that time. Being recommended by someone from MFGG staff helps, too (Dustin in this case was recommended for such a position, being a nice guy who was often overlooked).

Since this is on the same server as the mainstream modded Minecraft community, I may try to drop in.

Neat.

[quote="Gatete"]I would want to help with the IRC too, I had a few ones on the past.[/quote] If I recall correctly, you left the previous incarnation of the Skype Chat when things got out of hand. As the founder, it was your responsibility to deal with the problem--but you didn't, so Mit and Syaxamaphone were left to solve it with their less open incarnation. That doesn't really encourage me to make you an op. That said, it would be nice if I had an operator or two who could keep watch over goings-on while us Americans are in bed due to silly time zones. CocoBot can record logs if I leave him running, but there's only so much he can do.

seems legit

CocoBot now has a new game script! In addition to the card game Uno, you can now play Apples to Apples with 4-8 players.

When will Abducted Toad's IRC port be implemented?