Nets with 2 or more names

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

We're seeing something interesting recently: Virtual IRC networks.

Once upon a time, when two networks merged, the side that was absorbed would point their dns and rr's to the new name for a while so users who did not know of the merger could still access the network. Now, we're seeing some networks that merge, and each retains their orginal name. Sometimes 3 or 4 smaller networks link servers, and run one set of services, but attract users through individual websites, individual rr's, and offer support in help channels named after their dns.

Sometimes shell providers sell virtual IRC networks. Customers set up a website promoting their network, have an rr reflecting their name, and connecting users see a MOTD message confirming the name once again. Most users are none the wiser (I certainly wasn't), but in truth there are SEVERAL rr's all leading to the same network (we discovered the situation through duplicate channel listings).

That's all well and good, until it comes time for SearchIRC to index these networks: if its ONE physical network, we only list it ONCE. It really doesn't matter to us if it has one name or 500 names - it is still ONE network.

If we listed each of these virtual networks separately and indexed their channels, we'd show 2, 3, 4... who knows how many instances of the same channel repeated in our listings, and an inaccurate overall channel count. Since we give equal treatment to all networks in our directory, it would be all too easy to load the deck by listing dozens of virtual nets that all lead to one physical network.

Soooo....

When we discover a network is a virtual network, we will list it in the description of the PARENT network and no where else. SearchIRC will determine the parent network by the name of the servers linked to the network, the name of the network's official help channels, or other criteria.

In the case of merged networks with more than one name, we will move one network to the "historical" section *if it has existed for at least one year prior to the merger* and note the merger in our description of each network.

Jason · Posted: Jun 22, 2003 8:18am Post subject:

I think it all boils down to two things:

1) Being fair to all networks. Treating them equally.

2) Maintaining SearchIRC's usefulness.

If we add listings for each virtual network (which is defined as ONE network that has several "front end" names), we tip the scales, listing the virtual network several times, while standard networks are listed only once.

Also, by diluting SearchIRC's listings, we end up with a lot of fluff that doesn't add any end user benefits. Who exactly benefits when a 40 user network that has 20 different names, is listed on SearchIRC 40 times? It would only help to encourage this type of activity.

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

Maybe a link on each networks page that would allow for these submissions would work.

I wouldn't be too surprised at this being discovered. I own probably something in the neighborhood of 12 domain names and I point the irc.* name to my IRC networks random. I just do that simply for support or other issues, but none of those names have ever been active. Also, I do know of at least one network that "merged" into mine-just that it never really took off, and the guy is a friend of mine so he repointed his domain here.

I think you'll find alot of cases of that-I know of a few networks that have folded and renamed, but the old domain and pointers will live on until the domain expires too Smile

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

U, if I know a network has more than one rr pointed to it, then I will mention it in the description. No problem there. In fact its a good idea for networks to list a few servers by IP or an alternative rr if they can, so users can get on if there are dns problems.

But we can't add additional names to our network list, or set up a network section for them. Whats to stop someone from adding 300 names so that almost 1/3 of the networks we list will lead to them? Then other networks would do the same and by the end of the month we'd be listing 10,000 IRC networks! By the end of the year every dns available would be gobbled up for IRC use, and internet development would grind to a halt. We just can't be responsible for that.

One listing, but all the rr's and network names you want in your network description. :)

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

Right I understand that totally-I'm just saying it won't be too hard for this to happen because some networks point alot of dns to themselves. Luckily most of mine are the same name just different extensions (ie .com, .org, .us etc) I'm just saying that should maybe be a section on the page for each network, maybe a "AKA" or "Formerly known as" link.

Or, as you said, a section on how to connect.