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Dreamwave FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) About Net Operators

(Net Operator AKA oper AKA ircop AKA NetOp)

1. What is a Net Operator?
1.1 What is an o or O-line?

2. What can a Net Operator do?
2.1 What can a local (o) operator do?
2.2 What can a global (O) operator do?

3. How do I become a Net Operator?

4. What can i ask a Net Operator for help about?
4.1 Can I ask a Net Operator to kill someone for me?
4.2 How do I localize a Net Operator?

5. Does a Net Operator get involved in channels?
5.1 Would a Net Operator get involved in a channel without being asked to?

6. Are Net Operators different from other IRC users?
6.1 How come opers are always technically "on", but always sleeping?

1 Q: What is a Net Operator?
A: a Net Operator is the helper of an administrator. An administrator is the owner of the IRC server. a Net Operators job is to protect and help the users, and help solving disputes.

1.1What is an O- or o- line?
A: An O or o-line is how it is listed on the server that the Net Operator is really a Net Operator. It consists of either a capital or non-capital o, a hostmask, a nick and a password. An o is for a local operator, an O is for a global operator.

2 Q: What can a Net Operator do?
A: That depends on what kind of a Net Operator (s)he is. There are different levels of Net Operators. First of all there are local and global opers.

2.1 Q: What can a local operator (o) do?
A: A local operator can kill users on the server (s)he is operator on, kline (ban) people from this server, and generally do all sorts of things, but only to his specific server.

2.2 Q: What can a global operator (O) do?
A: A global operator can do the same things as a local operator. But (s)he can kill people on other servers on the network too, and add akills (netwide bans) to OperServ.

3 Q: How do I become a Net Operator?
A: Becoming a Net Operator requires not only a strong working knowledge of IRC and Dreamwav, but also a working relationship with admins and other opers. Opers are selected by net-com when there is a need, and never given based on who is asking for it. The t hing to remember is that there are always going to be more people that want to be an operator than there are openings. If you really want to help the network, the best way to do it is by answering new user questions on channels like #dreamwave and #help.

4 Q: What can i ask a Net Operator for help about?
A: You can ask a Net Operator for help about any general IRC issues. Eg, how to kick people, help on services, any questions you may have. What you cant ask for - and be sure to get an answer - is help on specific subjects, such as a different IRC clients and scripts.

4.1 Q: Can I ask a Net Operator to kill someone for me?
A: Yes, but it is very unlikely (s)he will do it. You need solid proof, not just logs for a Net Operator to take such decessive action as killing people. What (s)he might do is talk to the user you are complaining about, and that is in most cases enough to solve the problem.

4.2 Q: How do i localize a Net Operator?
A: There are two ways, if you type /who o! it will give you a list of any Net Operator online at the time (in your status for mIRC users). Or you can join #dreamwave, where we will be more than willing to help.

5. Q: Does a Net Operator get involved in channels if I ask her/him?
A: Generally, no. But if you are having problems with chanserv and your channel, a Net Operator can get involved and get the pass for you, if you have forgotten it. Or in case of a temporary service down period, (s)he can secure ops, but generally you are encouraged to learn and use chanserv functions to protect yourself.

5.1 Q: Would a Net Operator get involved in a channel without being asked to?
A: Again, generally, no. There are however exceptions, if a channel is seriously breaking laws of the network and the ops after warnings still refuses to make sure the channel complies to the IRC Network rules. Eg. if a channels topic is advertising another IRC network, or in the case of Porn with children involved or other subjects not welcomed/banned by the irc network.

6. Q: Are Net Operators different from other IRC users?
A: No. The only difference is that we are very seriously addicted. Most of us spend many hours daily on IRC, and have friendships on IRC that feels as real as those in real life. But a lot of other IRC users are like that too, so: Net Operators are normal people.

6.1 Q: How come opers are always technically "on", but always sleeping?
A: First of all, they are not sleeping. But many opers are on 24 hours a day, in case they are needed or because they are doing other things and like to return to IRC for short periods of time once in a while.