[ubuntu-us-nc] Freenode IRC Problems

[markthecarp]

Hi All,

The Freenode IRC network has been undergoing attacks by spam bots over 
the last week or so. The operators of the Freenode IRC network have 
recommended that channels (rooms) be set to +r or +R mode [1]. I am 
going to follow the recommendation of these folks mainly to insure that 
our team channel won't be used to propagate these attacks.

I'm going to set the channel mode to +r. [1]
<snip>
+r (block unidentified)
This mode prevents users who are not identified with NickServ from 
joining the channel. Users will receive a server notice explaining this 
if they try to join.
</snip>

What this means in a nutshell is that users will have to have a 
registered nickname with Freenode [2]. The original team IRC channel 
(#ubuntu-northcarolina) required this but I didn't set the new channel 
up that way to make things a little easier for new users. The channel 
was changed to come into compliance with the standards for approved 
teams. I will remove the +r on meeting days so that the 
webchat.freenode.net link will work w/o requiring a registered nickname.

I hope this isn't too painful. Please feel free to ask away here or on 
the team forum [3] if you need help registering your nickname.

Cheers,
-mark

[1]http://freenode.net/using_the_network.shtml
[2]http://freenode.net/faq.shtml#nicksetup
[3]http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=541297