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| You can become an IRC Operator by hanging out in server channels and being friendly to the server staff and admin. | Most admins don't consider those who hang in their channels as potential Opers. Not all servers have an official channel. |
| You can become an IRCop by helping in a lot of channels, especially the official ones like #Help, #DALnetHelp, and #IRChelp | Most help channels prefer people who help because they want to help, not those who want to use the channel to be 'noticed' for an O:line. People who give O:lines do not shop for Opers. |
| If you ask an IRC Operator enough times, s/he will eventually make you an Oper. | Begging to become an Oper will put you right at the bottom of any server's Oper wish list. |
| If you study the DALnet commands and know them all you can then get to be an IRC Operator. | There is a lot more to being an Oper than just knowing commands. You cannot study your way to being an Oper. Once someone is chosen as an IRC Operator, they receive special training from DALnet Oper training staff. |
| You can fill out an application and/or take a test to become an IRC Operator. There are special channels which do that for DALnet. | Some channels try to trick users by using these fake measures and empty promises. Do not fall for their abuse. Report these channels to an Oper. |
| You can become an IRC Operator by hanging out in 'Oper channels'. | There are no official IRC Operator 'hang out' channels. Some channels have Opers in them. Others are open only to IRC Operators. |
| You can become an IRC Operator by hanging out in a channel owned by an IRC Operator. | Some Opers have their own channels for chat and enjoyment. Those who give o:lines do not shop in channels for their staff. |
| IRC Operators are IRC cops. | The main function of an IRC Operator is to maintain the integrity of the server. They are not primarily cops. They may have other duties assigned by their admins or the netowrk, but 'law enforcement' is not their main function. |
| IRC Operators always have to help users when they are asked for help. | IRC Operators may have time to assist a user but they are often busy doing other things for the network. Those who have time to help can be found in #OperHelp. Don't go to other help channels expecting to find an oper. |
| All IRC Operators know everything about the system and what is happening on it. | On a small network this may be true. On DALnet, with 100,000+ users, it is not possible for everyone to know everything. There are different teams of Opers who perform various tasks on the network. |
| IRC Operators can and do akill and kline users at will for no reason. | On DALnet this is not permitted. These kinds of actions must have paperwork from the Oper who set them. Opers are accountable for their actions which means they must have a reason and document what they do. There is always a reason given to the user for these actions. It is up to the user to read and benefit from the advice. |
| IRC Operators have to deal with nukers, advertisers and other annoying users when you ask. | Nuking and other DoS attacks are not a part of IRC. It is up to the user to get the information on these people and report them to their Internet Service Provider. Reporting advertising and other annoyances does little good. It is best to mail the information to massads-report@dal.net. Ask in #DALnetHelp what to include in this mail. |
| Any IRC Operator can give you back your password if you forget it. | Not all IRC Operators are able to do password help. There are different levels of Opers, and only a CSOP can do that for you. Sometimes you may be asking an Oper who is busy doing something else. If you want your password sent to you , ask for the command in one of the help channels. |
| IRC Operators are supposed to take your complaints and fix whatever needs fixing. | Many complaints to an IRC Operator cannot be 'fixed' by them. If channels have been frozen or closed, the founder must deal with the Oper who froze/closed the channel. There is information about other problems and what to do about them on http://kline.dal.net |
| IRC Operators can do pretty much as they please. | There are specific guidelines for DALnet Operators. Opers must justify their actions. If you feel you have been unfairly treated by an Oper, you can type /admin Opernick and leave a memo for the Oper's admin. |
| IRC Operators are required to take as much abuse as you feel like giving them. | If you feel like cussing out or threatening an IRC Operator, or asking them to do something that is anatomically impossible, you will probably be ignored. In cases of extreme harassment, other measures may be taken. |
Last updated on 07-04-02