Hello Everyone,

I'm posting here, to make a proposal (and somewhat a petition) for a new chatroom! Getting bored with the long, java load times? Simply fed up with constant disconnects, or insecure java applets? Let's work together to make a change!

Please vote on the poll above, It helps to get a very general idea of the support I have on the subject, but please post as to your reasoning of your vote, and your suggestions and comments!

Now, first of all, I'd like to tell you a little bit about IRC, (for those of you who do know a fair bit about IRC, this is just basic, you can move on.) IRC is an acronym for Internet Relay Chat, IRC in general speaks of the protocol used to connect to IRC networks/servers. There are literally thousands of IRC networks, and MILLIONS of IRC servers. IRC networks are simply groups of networked (Haha) servers, in which users connect to, and chat in rooms called "Channels". The reason IRC appeals to me, is because of it's ease of use (some would disagree with me on that, but it's my opinion) , it's functionality, and it's controllability. IRC is a text-based chat system (Although some clients, like mIRC offer a right-click menu for ease of use.) using commands that you've probably all seen before! Such as /me for actions, and /join or /part to join or leave a channel. Many networks offer written programs called "Services" that one can utilize for specific things, such as changing your nickname (username) or for giving you access in certain channels. Services such as ChanServ offer channel security, and control, allowing you to issue chanserv typed commands such as !ban <username> to remove someone, rather than having to type it out manually. These services also secure the chatroom when no operators are available, many of them can be configured to kick/ban users who don't follow specific channel rules. Some networks even allow people to write their own programs, called "Bots" to enforce their channels! Meaning one can have a completely customized service running their channel, and enforce their rules.

IRC's customizability is amazing, channel Operators (Very similar to the mods we have now) can be given specific access to certain things, and not to others, allowing for personalization of access for each individual Operator. Channel Operators are clearly marked with a symbol next to their username, often a "@". Channel modes can be changed simply, and controlled with channel services such as ChanServ. Channel modes are specific sets of rules for channels, such as allowing only people who are invited into a channel, or only allowing people with registered nicks(explained in a minute) join a channel.

Many networks' services include an ability to make your Nick (short for nickname, same as your Username, here on the boards.) yours, and yours alone. Network services allow you to control your own personal settings, aswell as the channels your in. Some services are often very customizable, certain features can be enabled or disabled, and even still, services require cetain amounts of access to use. With services, you don't need to worry about users running amuck in your channel, because some, like chanserv, require Operator status to utilize their full abilites, or even to the abilities to alter the channel as a whole.

I don't intend to propose that Cannabis.com start it's own network at all, because starting a new network can be a difficult and time (as well as money!) consuming project! IRC is completely free, and the networks offer channels and services for websites like Cannabis.com. There are also many free web-applets that allow you to access an IRC network without a client, but I do suggest people download a client so they can experience all the IRC has to offer!

Some free clients include:

mIRC, a free Windows client. http://www.mirc.com

X-Chat, a free Linux client, but the windows version is not free. http://www.xchat.org

Colloquy, a Mac OS X client, it's a free download aswell.
http://colloquy.info/

This is just a taste, there are hundreds of clients out there, you can find a list of them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRC_Client

Now I propose, everyone, that the owners of Cannabis.com and it's staff, take a look at some of the IRC networks, that would possibly host our new chat! I would appreciate it if everyone would take a look at the websites, find a network you like, and post it on here, and tell me why you feel Cannabis.com should be affiliated with that network. I still have yet to look through the EULAs, so because of the content in which Cannabis.com is composed of, we might not be able to utilize one of these networks.

Undernet, one of "The Big Four", everyone knows about them, the four largest IRC networks in the world...Undernet is the fourth I believe. Undernet uses the "X" Service, that provides, nickname security, channel security, and hostmask control. This was to simplify the services, as many networks were getting overloaded by having a service for every aspect of the network. You can find more information about undernet here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undernet and Undernet's website is here: http://www.undernet.org/

IRCnet, what a perfect name eh? IRCnet is not one of my personal IRC networks, I don't visit it often, and have only been a few times, but from what I've seen, it's pretty secure, I'm unsure about the services IRCnet offers, but it's supposedly a very good network, it's also a member of "The Big Four" being, second in line with over 100,000 users. You can find more information about IRCnet here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRCnet and IRCnet's website can be found here: http://ircnet.com/

Freenode, one of the larger networks, but not to the rank of "The Big Four" just yet. Freenode is known as the Open Projects Network, because it tends to be popular with free and open source software designers. Freenode also hosts the #Wikipedia channel, the official IRC chatroom of Wikipedia. You can find more about the Freenode network here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freenode and you can find the Freenode website here: http://freenode.net/

Rizon, another one of the larger networks, Rizon has a bit of a shady repuation, but considering their lack of qualms with illegal material, I'm sure they'd have no problem hosting a Cannabis.com channel. Rizon tends to be a place to find copyrighted material, for free, and as such, has a repuation for a "Warez Network". You can read more about the Rizon network here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizon and you can find the Rizon homepage here: http://www.rizon.net/

This is only a taste of the networks out there, you can find a list of just a few of the larger networks halfway down the page, here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRC. You Can also find a large amount of information on IRC and IRC protocol at that URL, please take a look if you're a bit confused.

Please feel free to ask me questions, I want to make this happen, and I also want the process (if this does happen) to be as painless as possible for everyone, I'm quite knowledgable on the subject, and BobBong has also communicated to me that he is quite an avid IRC'r So please, feel free to ask questions!

I hope I can count on your support, and I thank you for listening to my extreamly long rant. I appologize for it's length but anyone who knows me, knows I tend to be long winded!

Thank you,
Cylon
Cylon Reviewed by Cylon on . Proposal for a NEW Cannabis.com Chatroom Hello Everyone, I'm posting here, to make a proposal (and somewhat a petition) for a new chatroom! Getting bored with the long, java load times? Simply fed up with constant disconnects, or insecure java applets? Let's work together to make a change! Please vote on the poll above, It helps to get a very general idea of the support I have on the subject, but please post as to your reasoning of your vote, and your suggestions and comments! Now, first of all, I'd like to tell you a little Rating: 5