Channel Operator's FAQ

Introduction: This FAQ has been put together by the Undernet Channel Service Committee for any and all users who have Channel Operator status on a Registered Channel on the Undernet.

1) What is the Undernet Channel Service Committee?

The Undernet Channel Service Committee (CSC) operates under the auspices of the Undernet Administrators. Just as all other aspects of Undernet, please keep in mind that the CSC is run by volunteers, in their spare time. This is not a paid, full-time job for anyone. If you need assistance with CService, we ask that you mail [email protected] or go to #cservice. If your problem is one that requires an Admin's help, then an Admin will be found for you. Remember, the Admins are on IRC to relax and have fun themselves, which is why we have Helpers who are available on #cservice to answer questions for you.

2) Who are X and W?

X and W are the two Channel Service (CService) bots. They reside on Undernet's registered channels. Each registered channel has either X or W, but not both. They are exactly the same in the functions they can perform. The bots hold separate user lists for each channel they reside on. These lists are maintained by the Channel Manager for each channel.

3)Who is the Channel Manager?

The Channel Manager is the person who registered the channel. There is generally only one Channel Manager, unless a special arrangement has been made with CService to have more than one.

The Channel Manager makes the decisions on how the channel is to be run. This is the person you should go to if you have a problem on your channel.

To find out who the Channel Manager is: /msg x chaninfo #channel or: (see ***) /msg w chaninfo #channel

*** Depending on which bot resides on that particular channel.

4) What is a Channel Operator?

A Channel Operator (ChanOp) is a user who has been given operator status on a particular channel. There are 2 types of ChanOps on a registered channel:

a) Those with access to X/W
b) Those without access to X/W

The channel manager decides who shall gain access to X/W on his/her channel. The channel manager may also delegate this responsibility to one or more 400+ level users (see explanation of levels below).

Regardless of whether or not you actually have access to X/W as a ChanOp, you have still been given the privilege of helping the Channel Manager maintain the channel. You will be expected to abide by all of the Channel Manager's rules, as well as CService's rules.

5) How do I know if I can op someone who doesn't have access to X?

Each Channel Manager makes his/her own rules for things such as this, so be sure to consult the Manager first if you are unsure of the rules.

Keep in mind that it is not a good idea to give ops to just anyone on the channel, though, since as an operator they have the ability to kick and ban anyone off the channel, including you. If you are going to give someone ops make sure you know you can trust them and make sure they know both the Channel Manager's rules and CService's rules.

The only time that you will not *physically* be able to give ops to someone who does not have access to X, is if the Channel Manager has placed the channel in StrictOp mode.

6) What is StrictOp mode?

StrictOp mode means that only users who have access to X's userlist can have ops on the channel. If you try to op someone that X doesn't recognize from the userlist, then X will deop this person.

7) What are the responsibilities of a ChanOp?

A ChanOp is responsible for helping to maintain the atmosphere that the Channel Manager has set for his/her channel. This means ensuring that all users abide by the set channel rules and warning/removing users who do not abide by them.

8) How do I know who has access to X/W? You can find out if someone is on the user list for a channel by: /msg x access #channel nickname

If the person is on the list for that channel, you will get a notice which looks like this:

-X- USER: teal (*!*erf103@*.psu.edu) ACCESS: 450 LMPU
-X- CHANNEL: #Help -- AUTOOP: ON
-X- LAST SEEN: 10 days, 19:42:16 ago

Line 1: nickname, user@host mask, access level and access flags
Line 2: channel name, autoop setting
Line 3: how long ago user was last seen on the channel

9) How do I get added to a channel's user list?

Only ChanOps with ACCESS level 400 or higher can add users to the channel's user list. Who gets added is usually determined by the Channel Manager. Some channels may have a recommendation/voting process to add new ChanOps. Best bet is to find out what that channel's procedure is by asking someone who is a ChanOp on that channel.

10) What is this ACCESS level thing?

A user's level determines what commands the user has access to on X or W. Users will have access to the commands for their level, plus all commands for any levels below them. For example, a level 75 user will have access to ban and unban, plus the level 50 and level 0 commands.

To find out what commands you have access to on a particular channel: /msg x showcommands #channelname

Here are the commands for the all the different levels:
Level 500: set +++
Level 450: addchan join part remchan (some set commands)
Level 400: adduser clearmode modinfo remuser status
Level 100: deop invite op suspend unsuspend
Level 75: ban unban
Level 50: kick topic
Level 0: access banlist chaninfo deauth help lbanlist
map motd newpass pass showcommands showignore verify

+++ The "set" command has a few different variables that can be set. NoOp, OpOnly, StrictOp, FloodPro & Lang are all level 500 only. However, NickFloodPro, MassDeopPro, AlwaysOp, UserFlags, Description, and URL are all level 450+.

Some Notes:

500........... Channel Manager. (MUST login once every 21 days.

450 & 400..... Trusted Administrators. These are ChanOps that the Channel Manager has allowed to help with administrative duties on the channel.

100........... These ChanOps can command X to perform all regular ChanOp commands, including some special X/W commands.

75 & 50....... These ChanOps can command X to perform most regular ChanOp commands (see above list) as well as some special ones.

0............. All users who are not on the bot's user list for that channel. Also, any ChanOp who has a password set, but has not yet been Authenticated (by msg'ing the bot with his/her password) will be seen as a level 0 user.

Keep in mind that users do not have to have the above values as their levels. For instance, a user could have level 358. This level would mean that the user has all commands for the levels under 358 (100, 75, 50, and 0). Then, say for instance, a user has level 401. This would mean that the user has access to commands at levels 400 and under. Keep in mind that this user can now modify the infomation of any 400 or lower level user (since modinfo is a 400 level command).

NOTE: For "regular" ChanOp commands (ie. kick, ban, unban, op, deop) these levels just allow for the ChanOp to command the bot to do them. Regardless of the ChanOp's level, these commands can still be performed manually by the ChanOp.

For example:
A level 100 ChanOp can op another user either by:

12) What is AUTOOP?

When AUTOOP is set to ON, you will be automatically opped by X upon entering the channel. If you have a password set though, then AUTOOP will only work if you /msg X with your password BEFORE you enter the channel.

If AUTOOP is set to OFF, you will need to:

13)What is this "LMPU" thing next to my access?

These are access flags, they show various details about your access listing. They have the following meanings:

Most users will only be interested in the "P" and "U" flags, as the other two really don't affect users in anyway.

14) Why would I use a password and how do I set one?

A password gives more protection against someone faking your user@host and obtaining ops. If you have a password set, X/W will only recognize you if you have the correct user@host AND give the correct password.

To set your password for the first time:

To change your password: Identify yourself first:

Then change it: