A Comment on the IRC

[Corsair]

As most pony fans here are probably aware of, Canterlot.com has an official IRC channel. Though the channel is centered around the site and, of course, ponies, the topics tend to range all over the place from pun wars to serious debates. I find myself often just lurking in the channel because the insanity is just entertaining. But recently, some issues have been coming up that are really sucking the fun out of the room for me.

To understand what I mean, first understand that Canterlot is the only pony community I'm a part of. I don't use 4chan or ponychan, and while I read stuff on FimFiction constantly, I don't really participate there. I originally came to Equestria forums (the original name of this site) because I didn't like -chan style forums. I stayed here because of the feel of the community. When the first owners of the site gave it up, the community banded together to keep it going, even though we'd only been together for a couple of months. The members cared about each other, and about keeping the good thing we had.

As this site has gotten bigger, the sense of community has slipped a bit. I see more and more pointless arguments happening in the IRC, more members being flat-out rude to one another, more of the moderators having to put their hoof down to get things under control. I've had to put several chatters on Ignore recently because of their rotten attitudes towards other chatters. I understand that this fandom began on sites like 4chan where this is considered normal behavior. That's precisely why I don't GO to 4chan.

Now, I'm not saying that friendly teasing is bad. Hell, the only time my son and I aren't exchanging insults is when we are asleep. I'm also not saying that the growth of the site is a bad thing. Artax, Manestream, and the moderating staff have done a hell of a job while this site got more and more popular. All I'm really talking about I guess is respect.

I realize this is the Internet. On the internet you can say things you wouldn't normally say because of the anonymity. I just feel it's not right to use that anonymity to disrespect others. We also have members here in many age groups. Some younger members (I do NOT mean all the younger members) seem to feel they don't have to be polite or considerate to others, or listen to the mods. If you want to be accepted by the community, that is NOT the way to go about it.

I'm not going to spout off anything about "love and tolerate." I'm not trying to frame this for bronies, I'm framing it for anyone. If you really want to be a part of any real community, being an a^&hole is not the way to go about it. Joining a community on the internet shouldn't be any different. We have some great people in this community, and if that's the way you want to be viewed, expect to be ignored and excluded, and you will miss out on most of the fun that comes from this group.

Ok, my rant is running out of steam, since the IRC has been rattling on about what movies we'd take to a colony on Pluto for like the past two hours. Does it make any sense? Heck no! Is it fun? Buck yes! Do you want to get in on that kind of insanity? Then don't be a jerk.

[GhostGirl]

I totally started that discussion about what movies we'd take to Pluto! ='D

Oh, and on a properly related note: Yes.

[Ashton]

I totally started that discussion about what movies we'd take to Pluto! ='D

Why does that not suprise me?

Back on-topic, though... I know I don't get in the chat often enough (It tends to either be completely dead or so busy I cant keep up) but I fully understand where corsair's coming from, I see this a lot on other sites (no, not pony sites, I'm loyal to Canterlot!) There really isnt a good option to solve it. Yes, you could split up the chat into different rooms and have a mod in each one watching over 8-12 people, but that makes everyone feel like little kids being watched, and sometimes you'd have friends who keep ending up in different rooms, looking for each other, so it doesnt work well... Technically you could ban people from the chat, but it's hard to tell who instigated the trouble, who escalated it, and who was just defending themselves, and if you ban all of the involved soon you'll be looking at a chat for mods only.... (or, well mods and lurkers, who would likely leave since the party'd be over then)

Really, users need to police themselves and realize that if people dont like what you have to say, then stop repeating it (I'm not saying you shouldn't voice your opinion, but don't just start being belligerent that you are right come hell or high water and everyone else is dead-wrong) likewise, if somone starts trolling, dont feed into it.

Really, this main site has practically NONE of this, why does it have to happen in the chat?

[DashieInTheDark]

Having been banned for a bunch of nonsense, I have learned a few things from this chat.

(By nonsense I mean it's none of your guys' business, the ban was necessary.)

It may be a "Canterlot IRC" channel, but by no means is it HARDLY EVER on the topic of ponies. I don't make the rules for it, so I could instate that only pony topic be brought up. I just noticed it's hard to talk about anything FiM related in there.

Usually, you'll find two or more of the members "exchanging roleplay remarks" to one-another. Such as "/me runs her fingers through x's hair" and such. Which, to me, got quite old, real fast. I don't want to see two people exchanging erotic remarks to one-another. Take it to the PMs, please. Although, it's not "against the rules" to do this per say, it is partially what caused me to have such a "bad attitude" while on the IRC most of the time. Thus, resulting in my ban.

The first week of being banned from the IRC, I was missing the people in it. Now, I see no reason to return. Granted, the forum part of this site is great, the IRC has quickly gone down-hill. (In just the time I've been here..)

And half of the people in the IRC are usually never very active on the board, either.. I admit, I was a bit "rude" on the chat, but there's multiple sides to that, which, to me, the moderators would rather not discuss.

At first, this made me mad, but now, I'd rather NOT be able to go on the chat at all.

[Ashton]

Having been banned for a bunch of nonsense, I have learned a few things from this chat.

(By nonsense I mean it's none of your guys' business, the ban was necessary.)

Sorry to hear that, DitD, I liked talking with you...

I dont mind a little casual RP in the chat, I'm guilty of that myself (a lot) but I agree there's a limit, especially when it starts interrupting ongoing conversations.

[Davroth]

I like the IRC the way it is. And everyone can just open his own channel if he/she feels like following a specific discussion.

[Skye]

As a moderator in the main chat, I'm constantly having to be on the watchout for people who take the license we give them to be a little free amongst one another and just running with it. There's definitely a difference to be said between 'having a little fun' and 'being a complete git'. Like Corsair says, this is not 4chan yet we still attract some 4chan-esque behavior from individuals. Because the chat is live, there's no delay or stopping someone from making comments that are precisely the kind of thing he's talking about. There's no buffer, there's no editing. It's just said and then it's done with. And that's why the chat gets the way it does sometimes. I, for one, am not always capable of monitoring each and every individual line of text that goes up - I only have two eyes and I have other things I'm trying to do at the same time. Much of the stupid that goes on happens when I'm not actively watching the channel.

I realize this is the Internet. On the internet you can say things you wouldn't normally say because of the anonymity. I just feel it's not right to use that anonymity to disrespect others. We also have members here in many age groups. Some younger members (I do NOT mean all the younger members) seem to feel they don't have to be polite or considerate to others, or listen to the mods. If you want to be accepted by the community, that is NOT the way to go about it.

This is quite apt. People need to learn to self-monitor themselves. Just because it's the internet, doesn't mean the license to be a jerk is given. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Everyone has someone who can make them feel about six inches tall, and The Internet Tough Guy act doesn't impress anyone. Being a jerk and then getting banned for it garners no sympathy. I can safely say that everyone who has been banned from the channel has been banned because of their OWN behavior and not for the behavior of anyone else's.

What we ask is that people be respectful and friendly towards one another. 'Don't be a jerk' is a pretty big one too. It's too bad that too many people don't feel that they're being a jerk when they're being intentionally disrespectful to other people.

Here's how not to get banned in chat:

• If an Op or Voice tells you to stop doing something, stop it and don't argue.
  
• Don't bait anyone.
  
• Don't post porn or gore. That should be pretty easy to identify. If it's smutty or bloody, don't post it.
  
• Don't post anything that could get you arrested.
  
• Don't say anything that's intended to get on someone's case. And don't bother trying to play innocent when you're doing it, we know when you're doing it and we don't have a sense of humor.
  
• Don't smartmouth off to the Ops or Voices. We know the rules.
  
• Don't troll. We've been around long enough to recognize it when we see it. And again, don't bother trying to play innocent when you're doing it. We know when you're doing it and we don't have a sense of humor.
  

The above should be pretty plain and simple. There've been enough people that come in and can't abide by the simple rules above that go for pretty much any internet interaction. The proof that we have enough people who do abide by those simple rules should be proof enough that it's not that hard.

[DashieInTheDark]

Skye- by no means do I disagree with you, I can see where you're coming from. This is the internet, there is anonymity, and people tend to overuse that fact. This is quite obvious, and is portrayed 1000's of times every minute across the internet.

However.

While it may not "break any official rules" I'm curious why you aren't doing anything about the constant "/me does this" in the chat. I swear, multiple times, I've gotten on there, and thought I was in the RP room. What's up with that? It was constantly people like Cuddleshy, and QuickLime, and it got really old, really fast. Do you not CARE if they do this? Should they go to a different IRC, or what? At first ,a few remarks here and there were alright, and I admit, I did a few myself. But once the chat is flooded with constant text of "x sends a sharp glare toward y" it was hard to have a civil conversation. I may not be going TO the chat anymore, but I personally think you need to put your foot down, and deal with that. Limit users to their ability to use /me, or something. In fact, the amount of text being sent in that format often at times would get me "kicked" from the IRC, because my ping shot up too high to keep a stable connection. Yes, that /me stuff DOES take a toll on my internet if too much is used. If you see it's alright to keep doing that, so be it. Otherwise, a few members of the IRC are getting out of line..

[Halide]

Really, users need to police themselves and realize that if people dont like what you have to say, then stop repeating it (I'm not saying you shouldn't voice your opinion, but don't just start being belligerent that you are right come hell or high water and everyone else is dead-wrong) likewise, if somone starts trolling, dont feed into it.

Really, this main site has practically NONE of this, why does it have to happen in the chat?

Quick, simple answer is because when you hit enter on IRC, your comment is there for everyone to see. There's no checking it over, there's no editing it, and there's no redacting it in any way. That aside, you get twenty to forty users in the chat, some of which would not find reason to interact on the forums, so you get clashing there as well.

Also you guys can open up your own channels too. It's easier than opening up a thread, honestly.

[MyLittlePonyTales]

While it may not "break any official rules" I'm curious why you aren't doing anything about the constant "/me does this" in the chat. I swear, multiple times, I've gotten on there, and thought I was in the RP room. What's up with that? It was constantly people like Cuddleshy, and QuickLime, and it got really old, really fast. Do you not CARE if they do this? Should they go to a different IRC, or what? At first ,a few remarks here and there were alright, and I admit, I did a few myself. But once the chat is flooded with constant text of "x sends a sharp glare toward y" it was hard to have a civil conversation. I may not be going TO the chat anymore, but I personally think you need to put your foot down, and deal with that. Limit users to their ability to use /me, or something. In fact, the amount of text being sent in that format often at times would get me "kicked" from the IRC, because my ping shot up too high to keep a stable connection. Yes, that /me stuff DOES take a toll on my internet if too much is used. If you see it's alright to keep doing that, so be it. Otherwise, a few members of the IRC are getting out of line..

I... don't really see a reason for this to stop. Were it to get out of hand, obviously some warnings and possible kicks would be given. But, you have to realize that people AREN'T Roleplaying. They're showing actions that they themselves might do in real life.

Say you're sitting around with some friends (in real life) chatting it up. One of your friends says something jokingly, and you punch them in the shoulder. Or someone is getting ready to leave, and they give hugs/handshakes to the people they were hanging out with.

I have never had a problem, nor heard of anyone having a problem with their ping getting too high because of chatter/chatting, and/or /me. Really, if you're having a problem, it could be your connection, because no one else has expressed having the same issue.

Also remember that many FiM fans (and many of Canterlot's user) are also furries. Showing affection with snugs/hugs/huggles/glomps and the like is normal. You don't see that happening on the forum as much because it's a different way of communicating than in the IRC.

So, in summary, this site is almost a year old, and a chat has been up almost since the beginning. Many of the staff/chat ops have been around since the board and chat began. We know what we're doing and how to handle things. We don't claim to be experts by any means, but we've been around the block a few times.

[Corsair]

Just want to add one thing to my previous statements: This site has rules for a reason. The moderators are there to enforce the rules. By signing up for this site, you agree to those rules and you agree that those moderators can enforce those rules. If you do not like a rule, whining, complaining, and arguing with the moderators is NOT the way to get it changed. If you really have a disagreement with a rule and can come up with a good reason why and/or how it could be changed, write out your argument clearly and post it on the site where the moderators can see it and decide whether they agree. If they don't agree, you still have to abide by the rule, or find another site with rules you can agree with.

Please remember that the moderators are primarily here to HAVE FUN, the same reason the rest of the members are here. Arguing and fighting over the rules doesn't seem like much fun to me, I don't think it's very fun for them either.

[MyLittlePonyTales]

If you do not like a rule, whining, complaining, and arguing with the moderators is NOT the way to get it changed. If you really have a disagreement with a rule and can come up with a good reason why and/or how it could be changed, write out your argument clearly and post it on the site where the moderators can see it and decide whether they agree. If they don't agree, you still have to abide by the rule, or find another site with rules you can agree with.

Exactly. We're VERY open to feedback from the community, so long as it's done in a calm and civil manner. But, as Corsair mentioned, being open to feedback doesn't mean we will necessarily agree. We also can't know a problem or issue exists unless someone says something.

[Xiee]

While it may not "break any official rules" I'm curious why you aren't doing anything about the constant "/me does this" in the chat. I swear, multiple times, I've gotten on there, and thought I was in the RP room. What's up with that? It was constantly people like Cuddleshy, and QuickLime, and it got really old, really fast. Do you not CARE if they do this? Should they go to a different IRC, or what? At first ,a few remarks here and there were alright, and I admit, I did a few myself. But once the chat is flooded with constant text of "x sends a sharp glare toward y" it was hard to have a civil conversation. I may not be going TO the chat anymore, but I personally think you need to put your foot down, and deal with that. Limit users to their ability to use /me, or something. In fact, the amount of text being sent in that format often at times would get me "kicked" from the IRC, because my ping shot up too high to keep a stable connection. Yes, that /me stuff DOES take a toll on my internet if too much is used. If you see it's alright to keep doing that, so be it. Otherwise, a few members of the IRC are getting out of line..

From the sound of this, it seems you're new to the whole concept of IRC. It's been around ever since the dial-up days began. The "/me" action is NORMAL in most, if not ALL IRC-based chats. Even in tech/geek chats that I go to, you'll never see the end of the "/me" being used, especially towards affection. Besides, if you can't stand the constant actions then use the ignore feature. You getting "kicked" because of the ping really seems that you do have trouble with your connection. Back in my dial-up days, no matter how much pings I get, I hardly get disconnected.

Also, those actions, though you may not realize it. Has brought the chatters closer at a personal level. I for one don't mind getting hugs and glomps from Cuddleshy. In a non-sexual, but friendly way. Don't you hug your friends in real life?