Discussion: IRC Issues


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As a more or less neutral party, I thought I'd start a discussion about the nature of the site's IRC channel(s) and how people would feel about having an age restriction on being able to join. Please be polite! :hug:

Edit: No trolling. You know who you are. :shiftyninja: :devil: </futile>

Edit 2: The age limit is not my idea, this thread came from a discussion on #subscribers. Also, here's a link to the IRC rules in case anyone needs/wants to see it.

Edit (DaveLegg): Please read my post here: https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/939380-discussion-irc-age-limit/page__view__findpost__p__593171696

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Situation now: No age limit, laxer rules. This leads to problems with certain users who are too young and/or too naive for some of the things said on #neowin.

I would suggest either an age limit of 18+ or a stricter enforcement of the existing IRC rules. Leaning towards the latter, seeing how people will lie to get around an age limit.

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There should be some consistency in regards to moderation, IRC is just a part of Neowin as the forums are, i dont like inner circles of people who think they are above the rules because they are all chummy in a chat channel, if people spoke on the forums like they did on IRC they would be perma banned.

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There should be some consistency in regards to moderation, IRC is just a part of Neowin as the forums are, i dont like inner circles of people who think they are above the rules because they are all chummy in a chat channel, if people spoke on the forums like they did on IRC they would be perma banned.

Just because none of the IRC regulars like you doesn't mean that they think they are above the rules. IRC is a free-flowing conversation, it is nothing like a forum.

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Whats stopping someone making there age above the limit and they arn't actually?

Yeah, that's the problem. If you force an age limit people will simply get around that. I'd be more inclined to leave things as they are, or put up some sort of warning on how some of the content might not be child-friendly. Anyone who ignores that warning will likely lie about their age as well if they need to.

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Yeah, that's the problem. If you force an age limit people will simply get around that. I'd be more inclined to leave things as they are, or put up some sort of warning on how some of the content might not be child-friendly. Anyone who ignores that warning will likely lie about their age as well if they need to.

Then the moderators have to intervene more often than they do now. There is too little moderation and too much trolololo on IRC lately.

Edit: To clarify: My idea is to enforce the existing rules. Not to make them stricter unless necessary.

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People lie to get around age limits all the time, so it would do little good if someone underage really wants to get on IRC. So no, there is no need for an age limit, but stricter rules may be in order if its that bad.

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if people spoke on the forums like they did on IRC they would be perma banned.

You can not ever moderate an IRC channel like you can a forum as it's much more freeflowing and quick paced. On a forum you have the ability to review your post before hitting "post" and you can always edit it if you feel you need to. It's easier for emotions to fly on IRC

FYI, the old neowin IRC channel was heavily moderated and even the slightest bad word got you banned, which doesn't really make for a happy userbase. It was much stronger than some of the stuff people get away with now on the forums

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A return to the super-strict we had back on the Stardock server wouldn't be cool, but there does need to be a step-up in moderation to calm the place down.

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My opinion: age limit for IRC is the same age limit for the forums. 13. Maturity doesn't magically change after 18 or something.

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Doesn't the forums already use that system where people under a certain age needs to have parental consent to sign up.

yeah sure they can lie, but that's something you need to live with, sometimes people lie. I vote age limit, and if they lie so what. it's not our job to be their parents, it's the parents job to watch what their kids do online. And I don't think any kids will be permanently damaged form sneaking into a chat and hearing some swearing.

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IRC by its very nature is something you shouldn't be using if you are young or immature enough to be affected by what is said/done on it. It is just another chatroom, and is probably a lot tamer than other chatrooms you could find on the web. Increased moderation, yes. Age limit? No. Besides, impossible to enforce.

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IRC by its very nature is something you shouldn't be using if you are young or immature to be affected by what is said/done on it. It is just another chatroom, and is probably a lot tamer than other chatrooms you could find on the web. Increased moderation, yes. Age limit? No. Besides, impossible to enforce.

Preach brother! Preach!

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no no, it's all good.

irc is fine the way it is.. everything is in jest and people know that.

those that don't 'get it' can leave.. simples :)

Only sometime what you think is a jest isn't. Impact not intent. There's some content that after a while gets tiresome and while maybe not indecent becomes overbearing.

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There should be some consistency in regards to moderation, IRC is just a part of Neowin as the forums are, i dont like inner circles of people who think they are above the rules because they are all chummy in a chat channel, if people spoke on the forums like they did on IRC they would be perma banned.

Exxxactly! :yes:

Everytime I used IRC, everybody had their inner cliques and if they didn't like you, they just kicked you... Personally, I believe IRC should be as strict as the forums on Neowin, so the same level of respect is expected. Because really, all the people with privileges almost always abuse their privileges whereas on forums like Neowin, that usually never happens. It just boils down to enforcing the rules on the forums here at Neowin on IRC also.

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