July 15th, 2008 11:30PM EDT
Setting Up a Kingdom Channelby Elly
Depending on how active your kingdom is, and what your needs are, the type of channel may change. Most kingdoms just maintain a private channel where they can organize, and several of the top kingdoms also maintain public channels where they can conduct diplomacy. When setting up a private channel, it is necessary that people who are not authorized to be in the channel be kept out, and your kingdom members be able to enter easily.
Here are a few helpful modes, which you may use to secure your channel. The best security for your channel is a combination of the modes listed below and use of services. For more details, refer to the modes FAQ.
Mode +s
Mode +s makes your channel secret. If your channel has mode s on it, it will not show up on the channel list. Having your channel unlisted ensures that only those who already know the channel name will be able to find it. Of course, this prevents unwelcome people from entering your channel, simply because they do not know the name of it. Remember, if your channel is not mode +s, people can see the topic of your channel, the modes that are set on the channel, and how many people are in it.
To set or remove mode +s, you must be a channel operator or higher.
Type: /mode #channel +s to apply mode +s.
Type: /mode #channel -s to remove mode +s.
For example, if your channel was #awesomekingdom, you would type: /mode #awesomekingdom +s
Advantages: mode +s does not require the person joining the channel to do anything especially. Also, it keeps your channel safe from prying eyes.
Disadvantages: If someone finds out about your channel name, the protection of this mode is lost.
Mode +k
Using mode +k applies a "key", or password, to your channel. This way, only those who have the key can join the channel. You can distribute the key to anyone who needs to know it, while still keeping your channel secure.
However, if your key is leaked out to someone who is not supposed to have it, you will have to change it. It is best to pick a key which is easy to remember, but not easy to guess.
To set or remove mode +k, you must be a channel operator or higher. You can also apply a new key over an existing key, which is the same as adding a new one.
Type: /mode #channel +k key
Type: /mode #channel -k key
For example, if your channel was #awesomekingdom, and you wanted the key to be "weareawesome", you would type: /mode #awesomekingdom +k weareawesome
To join a channel which has mode +k, simply add the key to the end of the join. Normally, to join a channel, you would type: /join #channel but if that channel had mode k, you would type: /join #channel key
For example, if you wanted to join #awesomekingdom, which had the key "weareawesome", you would type: /join #awesomekingdom weareawesome
Advantages: All people have to do is add the channel key to their join command. The key can be changed whenever needed.
Disadvantages: Mode +k by itself will not keep your channel secret, so people can still find out some information about your channel. If they key is accidentally leaked, anyone can join the channel. Additionally, if the key is changed, everyone who is supposed to be able to enter must be informed.
Mode +i
Using mode +i makes your channel invite-only - that is, only someone who has been invited to the channel first may join the channel. The advantage with mode +i is that if you need someone in your channel once, they can come in for just that occasion, and they will not be able to return. The main sticking point for this mode is that a channel operator needs to invite you to join the channel. UtoNet's Channel Service, (ChanServ), can also do this, so there is no need to worry. If the channel has mode +i, anyone who has access to the /chanserv invite command (usually Auto-Ops or higher*1) can invite themselves in, even if there is no one active in the channel.
To set or remove mode +i, you must be a channel operator or higher.
Type: /mode #channel +i
Type: /mode #channel -i
For example, if your channel was #awesomekingdom, and you wanted to make it invite-only, you would type: /mode #awesomekingdom +i
After setting +i, to enter the channel, a person must be invited by a channel operator, or they must invite themselves in, using ChanServ. To invite someone into your channel, you would type:
/invite nickname #channel
For example, to invite "OurMonarch" into #awesomekingdom, you would type: /invite OurMonarch #awesomekingdom
Another way to do this is to allow users to invite themselves into the channel with ChanServ. Please see the ChanServ tutorial for a guide to giving users access to do this. In order to invite themselves (once given access) they would type: /chanserv invite #channel
For example, if I had access to #awesomekingdom, and I had identified, and it was using mode i, I would type: /chanserv invite #awesomekingdom then /join #awesomekingdom
Advantages: Mode i allows you to grant and deny access to people as you wish. For example, if someone needs to enter one time, you can invite them, and they cannot return without another invite. Also, there is no key to memorize.
Disadvantage: Users need to either be invited, or invite themselves. The commands to do so are rather complicated, and may confuse people who are inexperienced with IRC.
Using ChanServ to secure your channel
ChanServ has an option, called "restricted", which will prevent anyone not on the ChanServ access list from remaining in the channel. Beware, however, as people can still join, however they will then be immediately kicked and banned. This will allow them to see your topic, any channel modes, how many users are in your channel, and who is in your channel. This option is best used in combination with other options. To use this option, your channel must be registered. To apply restricted mode, you must use the "set" command, which is usually restricted to the founder (owner) of the channel.
To use restricted mode, type: /chanserv set #channel restricted on
To disable it, type: /chanserv set #channel restricted off
For example, to use restricted mode on #awesomekingdom, you would type: /chanserv set #awesomekingdom restricted on
After restricted mode is set, only users who are on the channel access list may remain in the channel. Anyone else will be kicked and banned by ChanServ as soon as they join. Please see ChanServ Documentation for more information on putting users on the access list.
If you wish to prevent channel members from getting banned due to not identifying for their nick, you can lock mode +R which makes it so people who are not identified cannot join the channel. This is done with: /chanserv set #awesomekingdom mlock +ntR
Advantages: This mode requires no special interaction from the users, except that they must identify to NickServ before joining.
Disadvantages: This mode will not prevent people from joining your channel, instead it will ban them and kick them as soon as they join. This still lets them learn some information about your channel. Also, if a user forgets to identify, they will be banned unless you lock mode +R.
Summary
For ease of use, the best combination is mode +s and the use of the ChanServ method.
For the highest security, the best combination is mode +s, mode +i, and the use of the ChanServ method.
If you have any additional questions, or if you want help setting up your channel, please join #UtoNet.
*1 Note: This can be changed using the ChanServ level command. Please see the ChanServ help for the LEVELS command for a more detailed explanation.
Depending on how active your kingdom is, and what your needs are, the type of channel may change. Most kingdoms just maintain a private channel where they can organize, and several of the top kingdoms also maintain public channels where they can conduct diplomacy. When setting up a private channel, it is necessary that people who are not authorized to be in the channel be kept out, and your kingdom members be able to enter easily.
Here are a few helpful modes, which you may use to secure your channel. The best security for your channel is a combination of the modes listed below and use of services. For more details, refer to the modes FAQ.
Mode +s
Mode +s makes your channel secret. If your channel has mode s on it, it will not show up on the channel list. Having your channel unlisted ensures that only those who already know the channel name will be able to find it. Of course, this prevents unwelcome people from entering your channel, simply because they do not know the name of it. Remember, if your channel is not mode +s, people can see the topic of your channel, the modes that are set on the channel, and how many people are in it.
To set or remove mode +s, you must be a channel operator or higher.
Type: /mode #channel +s to apply mode +s.
Type: /mode #channel -s to remove mode +s.
For example, if your channel was #awesomekingdom, you would type: /mode #awesomekingdom +s
Advantages: mode +s does not require the person joining the channel to do anything especially. Also, it keeps your channel safe from prying eyes.
Disadvantages: If someone finds out about your channel name, the protection of this mode is lost.
Mode +k
Using mode +k applies a "key", or password, to your channel. This way, only those who have the key can join the channel. You can distribute the key to anyone who needs to know it, while still keeping your channel secure.
However, if your key is leaked out to someone who is not supposed to have it, you will have to change it. It is best to pick a key which is easy to remember, but not easy to guess.
To set or remove mode +k, you must be a channel operator or higher. You can also apply a new key over an existing key, which is the same as adding a new one.
Type: /mode #channel +k key
Type: /mode #channel -k key
For example, if your channel was #awesomekingdom, and you wanted the key to be "weareawesome", you would type: /mode #awesomekingdom +k weareawesome
To join a channel which has mode +k, simply add the key to the end of the join. Normally, to join a channel, you would type: /join #channel but if that channel had mode k, you would type: /join #channel key
For example, if you wanted to join #awesomekingdom, which had the key "weareawesome", you would type: /join #awesomekingdom weareawesome
Advantages: All people have to do is add the channel key to their join command. The key can be changed whenever needed.
Disadvantages: Mode +k by itself will not keep your channel secret, so people can still find out some information about your channel. If they key is accidentally leaked, anyone can join the channel. Additionally, if the key is changed, everyone who is supposed to be able to enter must be informed.
Mode +i
Using mode +i makes your channel invite-only - that is, only someone who has been invited to the channel first may join the channel. The advantage with mode +i is that if you need someone in your channel once, they can come in for just that occasion, and they will not be able to return. The main sticking point for this mode is that a channel operator needs to invite you to join the channel. UtoNet's Channel Service, (ChanServ), can also do this, so there is no need to worry. If the channel has mode +i, anyone who has access to the /chanserv invite command (usually Auto-Ops or higher*1) can invite themselves in, even if there is no one active in the channel.
To set or remove mode +i, you must be a channel operator or higher.
Type: /mode #channel +i
Type: /mode #channel -i
For example, if your channel was #awesomekingdom, and you wanted to make it invite-only, you would type: /mode #awesomekingdom +i
After setting +i, to enter the channel, a person must be invited by a channel operator, or they must invite themselves in, using ChanServ. To invite someone into your channel, you would type:
/invite nickname #channel
For example, to invite "OurMonarch" into #awesomekingdom, you would type: /invite OurMonarch #awesomekingdom
Another way to do this is to allow users to invite themselves into the channel with ChanServ. Please see the ChanServ tutorial for a guide to giving users access to do this. In order to invite themselves (once given access) they would type: /chanserv invite #channel
For example, if I had access to #awesomekingdom, and I had identified, and it was using mode i, I would type: /chanserv invite #awesomekingdom then /join #awesomekingdom
Advantages: Mode i allows you to grant and deny access to people as you wish. For example, if someone needs to enter one time, you can invite them, and they cannot return without another invite. Also, there is no key to memorize.
Disadvantage: Users need to either be invited, or invite themselves. The commands to do so are rather complicated, and may confuse people who are inexperienced with IRC.
Using ChanServ to secure your channel
ChanServ has an option, called "restricted", which will prevent anyone not on the ChanServ access list from remaining in the channel. Beware, however, as people can still join, however they will then be immediately kicked and banned. This will allow them to see your topic, any channel modes, how many users are in your channel, and who is in your channel. This option is best used in combination with other options. To use this option, your channel must be registered. To apply restricted mode, you must use the "set" command, which is usually restricted to the founder (owner) of the channel.
To use restricted mode, type: /chanserv set #channel restricted on
To disable it, type: /chanserv set #channel restricted off
For example, to use restricted mode on #awesomekingdom, you would type: /chanserv set #awesomekingdom restricted on
After restricted mode is set, only users who are on the channel access list may remain in the channel. Anyone else will be kicked and banned by ChanServ as soon as they join. Please see ChanServ Documentation for more information on putting users on the access list.
If you wish to prevent channel members from getting banned due to not identifying for their nick, you can lock mode +R which makes it so people who are not identified cannot join the channel. This is done with: /chanserv set #awesomekingdom mlock +ntR
Advantages: This mode requires no special interaction from the users, except that they must identify to NickServ before joining.
Disadvantages: This mode will not prevent people from joining your channel, instead it will ban them and kick them as soon as they join. This still lets them learn some information about your channel. Also, if a user forgets to identify, they will be banned unless you lock mode +R.
Summary
For ease of use, the best combination is mode +s and the use of the ChanServ method.
For the highest security, the best combination is mode +s, mode +i, and the use of the ChanServ method.
If you have any additional questions, or if you want help setting up your channel, please join #UtoNet.
*1 Note: This can be changed using the ChanServ level command. Please see the ChanServ help for the LEVELS command for a more detailed explanation.