ReactOS Community > IRC Channels

ReactOS IRC Channels

Developers and users can often be found at #reactos on a FreeNode IRC server. Here's the information on where we gather:

IRC Network

Network: FreeNode
Main IRC Server: irc.freenode.net
Port: 6667
Channel contact: Aleksey Bragin

Main Channels

#reactos - For general discussion and user support, most people are here
#reactos-testers - For anyone who wants to help testing ReactOS
#reactos-dev - For registered developers and contributors only, visitors have read-only access

Secondary Channels

#reactos-rosbe - For discussions related to the ReactOS Build Environment
#reactos-web - For homepage information, website content translation and testing

More channels might be available at certain periods, and some might go away.
For a complete list of FreeNode IRC servers (to locate the one nearest you), visit this page.
See this page for funny IRC Chat moments.

IRC Rules

Anyone welcome - Anyone is welcome to come by and participate, ask questions, etc.
Allowed topics - ReactOS development discussion and ReactOS user questions, or anything else really as long as the following policy is also obeyed.
Topical conversation - It's fine to talk about whatever you want, as long as you're not flooding the channel into uselessness for people trying to have on-topic conversations. In that case, try to stick to private conversations.
Illegal stuff - Discussions about illegal activities (software sharing in volation of its license, copyright/patent violation, etc.) are not permitted at any time. Please do not post links to warez sites, give out serial numbers, or send (or offer to send) software to people in violation of its license.
- Links to freeware (ie: DDK) - Simply because some software, such as the DDK is available free of charge, it does not mean that you can publically re-distribute it in any form or fashion. Do NOT post links to such software.
- Windows Source Code - Any talk about using, possessing, having seen, etc. any form of Windows Source Code will result in an instant kick and you will be blacklisted from any possible future ReactOS contribution.
Bots - Bots are generally not allowed without the approval of a super-operator (level 40+).
Channel Operators - all those with SVN commit access are eligible to be channel operators. Contact a super-operator (level 40+) to get auto-op.
Lurkers - Pursuant to point 1, we are happy to allow anyone on the channel; however, please be aware that we aren't interested in outside organizations sitting on the channel and logging solely for the sake of keeping tabs on us. If you fit this profile, but want to be allowed to sit and log, please mail me or another operator and explain yourself.
Professionalism - Please try to keep conversations civil at all times. Don't complain about other projects or products just for the sake of bashing them. Analysis of problems, particularly ones that ReactOS can solve, is permitted and encouraged.

Failure to respect these rules might result in a kick. Repeated offenses will result in bans of variable duration.

IRC Guidelines and Philosophy

The above rules will only be invoked in the worst cases of abuse. In normal, day-to-day usage of the channels, a simpler set of rules applies, silently agreed upon by regular users. To avoid an unpleasant experience, try to respect them.

No colored/bold/italic text, or Microsoft Comic Chat - Self-explainatory.
Don't insult operators - It should be obvious.
Don't evade bans - Almost all bans will be short-lived "probation" periods. If you get banned during a heated argument, you should take it as a suggestion to cool off for a bit before coming back.
No flaming or trolling - It's "Microsoft", not "M$"; we "should" not switch to a Linux kernel; we did not "copy Microsoft source code"; etc.
Ask for help, not free work - You can ask for help on specific programming issues, even if they aren't related to ReactOS, but expect a very cold reception to demands for designing a major feature of a software product for you, or doing your homework.
Be a decent person - No racism, sexism, homophobia or other kinds of grossly offensive behavior. No abuse of rhetorics to inflame arguments. Speak like you would speak to people in real life, or at least fake the same amount of respect.
No entitlement - ReactOS is a hobby project relying entirely on the work of volunteers: nobody involved owes anything to you.