6 ms·

Also leaving Freenode: FSF, GNU, plus Linux and Python support channels

91 points by MilnerRoute 5y ago

gerikson 5y ago
"Leaving" is a nice euphemism for "channel seized, group contact nicks k-lined, and ops handed over to random buddies of Andrew Lee".
- MaxBarraclough 5y ago
  Perhaps I'm out of the loop but what does k-line mean?
  - canttestthis 5y ago
    A type of IRC ban https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRC_operator#Ban_Types https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRC_operator#Ban_Types
    - progval 5y ago
      Note that in most modern IRC networks (such as freenode), klines are also applied to all servers, because it no longer makes sense to ban only from the local server.
- OrvalWintermute 5y ago
  I think the whole situation reminds me a little of what happens with the monetization of OSS. Awesome developers create some OSS that catches on. They gain a huge amount of traction and goodwill. Monetization follows, forks happen. The OSS is forked into a crippleware "community edition", and a premium version. Except in this case: Numerous awesome folks create groups of communities on a service. They gain a huge amount of traction and goodwill. Rogue monetization effort follows, forks happen. Community flees a new not-so-benevolent dictator. Such a sad situation, particularly for the folks that invested so much time in nurturing these communities, and the platform itself.
  - mulmen 5y ago
    Is it sad? Or is it encouraging that people still have this choice? What if #python had been built on Facebook or Google Plus? #python didn't leave IRC, they are just on a different network. Is this not the value proposition of open, decentralized and self-hostable services?
hprotagonist 5y ago
#python's "departure": https://gist.github.com/bensimner/8939ba5c9640f7ad2a310ba7e23320bb https://gist.github.com/bensimner/8939ba5c9640f7ad2a310ba7e2...
- NicoJuicy 5y ago
  Jesus. As someone who used freenode a lot and still humps on it sometimes, it really hurts to see communities "burn" like this. It's immoral.
  - geofft 5y ago
    The community still exists, it's just on Libera. Same people, same channel, different network.
    - NicoJuicy 5y ago
      I agree, but my memories are still from irc ;) I'm glad they moved to libera, but this shouldn't have happened like it did in the first place.
      - geofft 5y ago
        Libera is an IRC network too! It's run by the same people who used to run Freenode! I agree it shouldn't have happened, but everything is intact except for the name "Freenode." It's not like they moved to Discord or something (well, there is also a very large Python Discord, but the IRC channel is around too).
        NicoJuicy 5y ago
        Ah, i saw libera popping up but didn't check it out . A comment where somebody mentioned that they would script their community back together made me think it wasn't irc and admins would replace their scripts to support the new platform.
      - SahAssar 5y ago
dec0dedab0de 5y ago
The pro wrestling fan in me feels like freenode is purposely playing the heel to make people like libera. No idea why they would do such a thing, except maybe to drum up interest in IRC again? But back in the real world. Some of the /. Comments are mentioning trademark infringement for seizing previously official channels. I wonder if any of the companies/orgs involved would care enough to bring their lawyers into it.
- kgwxd 5y ago
  If so, it worked on me :) but I doubt it. OT but did you watch the Andre The Giant special too? I'm not a wrestling fan at all but what an excellent story.
gigatexal 5y ago
lol what’s left at freenode?
- Marqin 5y ago
  forgotten znc sessions ^_^
  - ohyeshedid 5y ago
    This made me laugh. Also, at least one eggdrop.
tptacek 5y ago
I'm sure it's not really the projects. I have it on good authority that these are all splinter groups of provocateurs just trying to make people believe that projects are leaving, in order to harm Freenode and, by extension, all of open source. Also, they must have hacked the FSF's web page. Can't see any other explanation for what's going on. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27299933 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27299933
- nedbat 5y ago
  I hope this is satire. I can assure you that the Python project moved to Libera.
- eptcyka 5y ago
  Won't you need medical attention now that your tongue has pierced through your cheek?
- pama 5y ago
  The link clarifies that this is satire. Upvoted.
bombcar 5y ago
Slash dot? That’s not a name I’ve heard in years …
discardable_dan 5y ago
Having followed this all a little too much (with a big bowl of popcorn), I must say: I don't think the people leaving are doing so because of who is in charge (modulo random channel seizures). They're leaving because because they don't want to worry about who is in charge.

91 points by MilnerRoute 5y ago

"Leaving" is a nice euphemism for "channel seized, group contact nicks k-lined, and ops handed over to random buddies of Andrew Lee".

MaxBarraclough 5y ago
Perhaps I'm out of the loop but what does k-line mean?
- canttestthis 5y ago
  A type of IRC ban https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRC_operator#Ban_Types https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRC_operator#Ban_Types
  - progval 5y ago
    Note that in most modern IRC networks (such as freenode), klines are also applied to all servers, because it no longer makes sense to ban only from the local server.
OrvalWintermute 5y ago
I think the whole situation reminds me a little of what happens with the monetization of OSS. Awesome developers create some OSS that catches on. They gain a huge amount of traction and goodwill. Monetization follows, forks happen. The OSS is forked into a crippleware "community edition", and a premium version. Except in this case: Numerous awesome folks create groups of communities on a service. They gain a huge amount of traction and goodwill. Rogue monetization effort follows, forks happen. Community flees a new not-so-benevolent dictator. Such a sad situation, particularly for the folks that invested so much time in nurturing these communities, and the platform itself.
- mulmen 5y ago
  Is it sad? Or is it encouraging that people still have this choice? What if #python had been built on Facebook or Google Plus? #python didn't leave IRC, they are just on a different network. Is this not the value proposition of open, decentralized and self-hostable services?

hprotagonist 5y ago

#python's "departure": https://gist.github.com/bensimner/8939ba5c9640f7ad2a310ba7e23320bb https://gist.github.com/bensimner/8939ba5c9640f7ad2a310ba7e2...

NicoJuicy 5y ago
Jesus. As someone who used freenode a lot and still humps on it sometimes, it really hurts to see communities "burn" like this. It's immoral.
- geofft 5y ago
  The community still exists, it's just on Libera. Same people, same channel, different network.
  - NicoJuicy 5y ago
    I agree, but my memories are still from irc ;) I'm glad they moved to libera, but this shouldn't have happened like it did in the first place.
    - geofft 5y ago
      Libera is an IRC network too! It's run by the same people who used to run Freenode! I agree it shouldn't have happened, but everything is intact except for the name "Freenode." It's not like they moved to Discord or something (well, there is also a very large Python Discord, but the IRC channel is around too).
      - NicoJuicy 5y ago
        Ah, i saw libera popping up but didn't check it out . A comment where somebody mentioned that they would script their community back together made me think it wasn't irc and admins would replace their scripts to support the new platform.
    - SahAssar 5y ago

dec0dedab0de 5y ago

The pro wrestling fan in me feels like freenode is purposely playing the heel to make people like libera. No idea why they would do such a thing, except maybe to drum up interest in IRC again? But back in the real world. Some of the /. Comments are mentioning trademark infringement for seizing previously official channels. I wonder if any of the companies/orgs involved would care enough to bring their lawyers into it.

kgwxd 5y ago
If so, it worked on me :) but I doubt it. OT but did you watch the Andre The Giant special too? I'm not a wrestling fan at all but what an excellent story.

gigatexal 5y ago

lol what’s left at freenode?

Marqin 5y ago
forgotten znc sessions ^_^
- ohyeshedid 5y ago
  This made me laugh. Also, at least one eggdrop.

tptacek 5y ago

I'm sure it's not really the projects. I have it on good authority that these are all splinter groups of provocateurs just trying to make people believe that projects are leaving, in order to harm Freenode and, by extension, all of open source. Also, they must have hacked the FSF's web page. Can't see any other explanation for what's going on. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27299933 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27299933

nedbat 5y ago
I hope this is satire. I can assure you that the Python project moved to Libera.
eptcyka 5y ago
Won't you need medical attention now that your tongue has pierced through your cheek?
pama 5y ago
The link clarifies that this is satire. Upvoted.

bombcar 5y ago

Slash dot? That’s not a name I’ve heard in years …

discardable_dan 5y ago

Having followed this all a little too much (with a big bowl of popcorn), I must say: I don't think the people leaving are doing so because of who is in charge (modulo random channel seizures). They're leaving because because they don't want to worry about who is in charge.