Changes to the SearchIRC Network Name Policy

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

We have had several requests to change the name of networks already listed on SearchIRC, so I have updated our Network Name Policy to reflect our position on the subject.

Changes generally fall into two categories. One, a network admin buys a domain he believes better represents his network, and he updates his servers, website, etc, to the new domain. SearchIRC's policy is, the domain identifies the network. If the domain name changes, then it is, for our purposes, a "new" network, even if it has the same staff, channels, users, services, and servers. When the old domain is retired, our indexer will no longer connect and eventually we will mark the old network as "dead". The rep can put a comment in his network info directing users to the new network, or, if advised of the change, we will add a comment.

The second situation usually involves a network split. Some servers will leave a network and purchase a version of the network name. For example, if it is Network.net, they will buy Network.org. That's fine. We will list both Network.net and Network.org. However, we will NOT change the name and connect server of Network.net TO Network.org. We will not mark .net closed and direct users to .org. That's not playing fair.

However, if an admin owns one tld, and purchases another (ie, owns .net and purchases .org and .com) and wants us to change the tld on the listed name or change the connect server, we will cooperate. The whois MUST show the same owner for all domains.

Any questions or comments?

SebasMiles · none Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 30

What about merging networks? Where the dns is still used but its just part of some other net? I assume it will be marked as dead following by what you said at first, its just one more option to consider, Any way to just create an option to say "merged" with this word linked to the page here of the other net? This would work also for those changing domains, instead of just listing them as dead.

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

SebasMiles, server owners can, and often do, point multiple domain names at their IP. These are known as "metanetworks". SearchIRC will only index the domain name that is in primary use.

I can mark a network merged, but the sad fact is, admins rarely TELL us they have merged, and if they do tell us its because they want us to bend the rules and list all of the names used as a full network.

If your network merges with another, I suggest you ban the bot from the domain no longer in primary use, with a message about the merger. This message will appear on your network page on SearchIRC. Then edit the information about the network through the Control Panel on SearchIRC. Put in a comment telling users what happened - "ANetwork.com has merged with BNetwork.com and we are now operating under the name CNetwork.com. We have the same staff, and great users, but now our services are better than ever. Please come join us in our new home. You can connect to any of our domain names and get to the same network."

Jason · Posted: Jun 28, 2006 2:26pm Post subject:

Network naming rules:
http://searchirc.com/help.php?id=40

Metanetwork rules:
http://searchirc.com/help.php?id=141

Far as I know, all of the above info is already presented to the user when they submit a network. We've been very consistant with naming conventions. It's not by choice, but because of issues and conflicts that we've encountered during the last 6 years in operation..