There have been many discussions that have dealt with the Idea that there are some sort of "RULES" or "Shire-Polices" that have to be *FOLLOWED*... :-) This is simply not true, and never has been. There are different ways of looking at such things. :-) There is a general MOOD that prevails here, and that is one of friendliness. If there is a rule aginst any behavior, it is that one should not be rude or ill-mannered to folks.
The net is a big place, full of all kinds of folks. There are nice folks and some not so nice. Some can be trusted and befriended and some you would be best off staying clear of. No-one but you can make such decisions. We generally do not care for a lot of coarse language or cursing, or overt sexual references. The ops that are on the channel at any given time have the option of doing any "moderating" they see fit.
The general rule is pretty simple. EVERYONE that is a consistent and welcome visitor to the channel will end up on the op list. Don't expect it INSTANTLY, but it normally does not take too many visits before this occurs. On some "nets" there are many levels of "OP", while some only a few. For instance on Undernet you can be at MANY levels, 25, 50, 75, 100, and up, while on some nets running "chanserv" you are either an op, or co-founder. We don't mess about with this stuff much, as the main purpose of registering the channel is to help dissuade "channel-takeovers" and to hand out "op" status to the right folks. I don't think there are ANY users on Undernet that are not set to 100 level ops. This is high enough to do most anything an Op can do.
The main point being that EVERYONE that belongs to the channel are users just like all others. Some of us have been there LONGER, and if any prestige goes along with being a long-time user, it is that people have a tendency to tease you more then the newcomers. :-)
There are a few higher-level operators, who can do editing on the user list and a few other things, but generaly anything that needs to be done can be done by anyone that is there. The channel is a true "ANARCHY", in that there is no "head". No bosses, and not much in the way of rules. Just be kind to one another, and treat folks with respect.
Something needs to be said about the channel bleedover to and from the Thursday Skeptics Chat. .....
A few of the Skeptical folks have become regulars on channel #Shire, and I for one, welcome them. And now that #Skeptic has found its way to Starchat, some of the #Shirefolk have taken to coming in to #Skeptic on Thursdays.
I welcome this, also.. :-) :-) #Skeptic, as the name implies, is a rather contentious and argumentative channel where one can expect, and will likely GET, a grilling upon anything and everything that one might believe, or think, or have any opinion on whatsoever. This is the very PURPOSE of the Channel. Things quite commonly get VERY spirited and sometimes downright rude. While I do not care for such rudeness, myself, I (Baggins) do not have any CONTROL or AUTHORITY over what is said in Skeptic. This "In Your Face" attitude is the Nature of Skeptic, and if this is not to your liking, Don't go there.
#Shire is quite another matter.
#Shire is a Place for FRIENDS to gather and CHAT. We welcome all SORTS of people there and the Ops will NOT tolerate the same sort of "inquisition" like atmosphere and argumentative attitude that pervades #Skeptic. We try not to "Get in each other's faces" on #shire, and I think the great majority of the users want to keep it that way.
Send comments and mail to Baggins@Netcom.Com