Small Networks, Is it worth bending over to Link?

Paula · Guest

Let me just say, not all networks require you to change your name to link, my network is slowing growing cuz of this fact. We take in servers who want to grow a network together without losing control over their own servers. If you want to check us out, please do at irc.webchatting.com. We would love to take in the smaller links (15+ users) and grow together. Smile

al5001 · Lurker Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 181 Location: Canada

the bandwith is in the ircd itself usually

unreal has a tendency to calculate how many lines of text were typed (channel mode +f) to detect if a user is flooding or not, this happens continuously through the chat, therefore wasting bandwith for nothing

if you need flood protection in channel then ask the users to bring a simple eggdrop with some channel protection scripts

try using hybrid for one month and see if you go through that much bandwith so quickly

Guest · Posted: Feb 07, 2004 3:38pm Post subject:

I'd be quite interested in the political aspect of irc, power struggles between admins, etc.
It's a topic I'd like to do some research on, and ultimately produce a guide as to how to keep
a growing network together.

I was once a co-founder of a small, unreal-based network (I know, I know).
There were originally three founders, of which I was one and the other two comprised one
security admin and one person paying for the hosting.

This led to power struggles as the other two became worried of the power I had (I was the
designated runner of services) due to their ignorance of how to use the power of services
I had assigned to them. (I gave them all access I could, however they were still worried it
was my nick in the "services root" configuration file directive and not theirs).

This led to them kicking me off staff, and banning me because they feared I would use my
knowledge of linux, shells and irc to hack and shut down their network because I was annoyed.

I did not do this, in fact I simply waited a few weeks and, lo and behold, one of the founders
there came to me and apologised profusely for doing what they did, admitting they were
acting out of fear and insecurity rather then reason.

Since then I've been interested in irc politics, and specifically, the growing pains of small irc
networks in terms of politics.

Another thread for people's experiences of this maybe? :)

-A

Michael · none Joined: 18 May 2003 Posts: 48

On the flip side of the coin, I help run a small Unreal/Anope based network with a few others and there has never been any said power struggles during our time together. We work well together.

DjMadness- · Newbie Joined: 10 Jan 2004 Posts: 70

Mary · SearchIRC Admin Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 692

MotherOfSamantha · none Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 8

I just started a irc myself. This guy linked up with us. We let him keep his name and his stats and we used the rest. But today I was having trouble with him. Basically he trying to take control of it all. Mind you I'm Co-Admin and dont have +C and he wondering why not and question my status. What should I do now. I Really want to unlink with this guy cause he rude and even though we are linked he competeing with us!!

-MoS
irc.konichiwa.nl

Harlyman · none Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 18

Wiggle · Newbie Joined: 01 Nov 2003 Posts: 81

MotherOfSamantha · none Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 8

U · Eleet Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 521 Location: IRC

That tends to happen alot with merges. Basically you have 2 networks used to running themselves merging. There usually is a power struggle.

I don't do merges anymore for that very reason. Plus the simple fact that in a merge you don't know what you're always getting in the way of server quality.

Just makes it easier to accept links only Smile

People linking know there is a structure already in place and where they will fall within that structure-if they don't like it then they probably should go on their own or find a network suitable to their ranking/power needs Smile

Michael · none Joined: 18 May 2003 Posts: 48

When my net merged with a friend's net last year, we didn't like the two name thing very much, because it was like, "Which name gets the server on a link?" So, we quickly decided to make a new name.

Brent1 · Guest

i am a admin on a small network, we have about 15 users and are looking to link with other servers. We have a professionally designed site, 2 domains, provide an email service, a redirection service,and our irc server is on a T2 (close to T1 Connection) we run Unreal 3.2-RC1 and Anope (latest devel) and NeoStats (latest stable version) with some funservs and some security servs. We have one condition, that our admins (3 admins) get FULL access to commands, because we have one security tech with a A+ certification and a mIRC Scripter genius. So, if you wanna link drop into irc.interchat.us and message Brad Brent or Mad.

Im_a_Freak · Guest

irc.rustynet.org is a new network with chanserv nickserv ect BUT not too far away will be the custom services much safer and faster and stable than them servcies. they have `commands u can `info #channel `topic (topic) to set a channels topic they will be built for user needs and we are open for more ideas to add to the servcies in time come see us as we build a network for YOU

/server irc.rustynet.org 7000

Thanx From the rustynet team

animesoup · Posted: Mar 25, 2004 12:12am Post subject:

I hate links personally. Besides negotiating over who gets what and sharing everything, most people have dynamic IPs, and all of them use the exact same line.. "it doesn't change often, about twice a year".. Yeah, last link i tried said that, and in the first week, his IP changed 3 times. Uhhh.. No. The first question I ask anybody who wants to link is "static or dynamic ip", always dynamic.

Even linked with people whom have static IPs, there is always the issue of some kind of failure. I left chatx at their peak because the netsplits became unbearable. My #1 hate for any IRC network are netsplits and service outages.

I run AnimeSoup on a static ip, run anope services on the computer I am currently using (both conputers are housed here), and try my damndest to keep it up.

However, linking with somebody who wants me to change my network name, and run services from their network is just rediculous. I have 6 computers sitting here, and if I really _NEEDED_ to link, it would be linked with a computer housed here, and never remotely.

Also, I personally like small networks, and is the reason I created animesoup. Usually big networks have the problem of netsplits and service outages unless they are all connected directly, which is expensive to maintain.

Newer network (not indexed yet) MIXXnet is connected pretty good. I have been idling there for the last week and a half, and not one split as of yet. The owner has all of the linked servers connected through T1s. He has 4 servers that he has paid for, not small-fries networked. This is a network with serious potential, and I invite you to check it out, www.mixxnet.net or irc.mixxnet.net

Another problem with IRC networks that are small is their connectivity. Nt only do these people have poor unreliable connections, but they use names like billysircnetwork.shortdns.com, and their links do the same. Personally if they are not serious enough to buy a frikkin $8 domain, chances are they wont be around much longer.

In my opinion, links are horrible. Call me stubborn, but I will probobly never link with another network.

Plus, there is always the "power struggle".. The link took my powers from me for making a joke.. Somebody got pinged out, when they came back, i changed my name to "ping" na dsaid "want another time out mister?".. This person was on a powertrip, and stripped my powers away, i delinked that day. Someone else whom I was friends with tried linking with them. He left after 12 hours. He was running a pretty large server, and they wanted him to drop his services and use unreal, even though he's one of the main developers of another ircd, he had to drop his server to use unreal. He did, and found out how stupid these people really were. He cut the connection approximately 12 hours after they linked.

When I linked, they made me the hub, so when I delinked, I cut their network pretty deep. They did the same with my friend, and he cut them even deeper (not getting into details of how).

The link had dreams of being the next efnet (no joke), and looking at their numbers, it isn't going to happen. Also, it was the co-founder of the link who got me aboard, and the founder not only forced me to remove my opers from my list, but stripped away my powers after the above joke.

When I left, their numbers went from 20 users to 5. They are pretty close to dead. Not only that, but delinking from them dropped them off of searchirc. After leaving on sour terms, the happiest moment was going to searchirc and seeing that their statistics they relied on were cut too.

I find links to be more of a burdon than a blessing. With so many potential problems, there is no way I will attempt it again. I really don't want to be ddos'd or any of the other BS.

I'm probobly the only person in the world who wants to keep his user numbers below 100. Once I upgrade my connection, i'd consider changing my opinion on this.

Short answer? Links = bad.