If you have questions...

[lch]

There is only one true bot in the IRC channel, or two if you count ChanServ (which is from the network itself), the others are clients AFAIK. People do tend to idle around IRC channels a lot, though, which isn't uncommon if you're on multiple channels and multiple networks at the same time, for things that interest you, and leave the client running even if they're not in front of the keyboard. That's one thing that I like about the IRC chat, that you can use an external program, which I can access through and minimize into the system tray, instead of a browser tab, which I'll have trouble to find again between my 80-120+ tabs that I usually tend to have open.

If you have questions about the Dom3 game then the IRC channel is very helpful, yes.

[Ironhawk]

Not sure where you heard that, Gandalf. IRC channel is usually pretty lively. I mean, occassionally there are quiet spells but you can say that about any communication medium. As far as I've seen its really rare to see a question go unanswered.

[Gandalf Parker]

I wasnt downplaying it.
The chat here goes thru the same things. Long conversations, then quiet.
When Ive moderated (channels, chats, moos, muds, MMOs, etc) bots had a varied level of definition altho the new pre-packaged bots for IRC does tend to clarify things. In many cases we have considered a bot to be anyone not immeadiately attentive to their screen. Especially if it has automated responses. Heck, in the chat here in the forum Im a bot (usually from around 6am-9pm PDT)

[Edi]

I've been to the IRC channel a few times and it depends on the time of day, sometimes there's nothing and sometimes a lot of stuff to talk about. Haven't been doing that regularly, though.

[Gandalf Parker]

But there is always people there who can answer questions. You might have to wait abit after asking for them to see it and respond which I guess is alot like the forum. But it is usually easier to get some speculation chatter which can be helpful on hard questions.

[lch]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Parker

In many cases we have considered a bot to be anyone not immeadiately attentive to their screen. Especially if it has automated responses. Heck, in the chat here in the forum Im a bot (usually from around 6am-9pm PDT)

A bot is usually perceived to be something which automatically performs actions unmaintained all the time, what you talk about is called a bouncer (or BNC), if it is something that's online all the time and allows the user to log on to it, similar to connection to a network, to gain the control again. That's more like a proxy. If it's an IRC program window, even if it has an away script, it's a client.

[Gandalf Parker]

Yes now its a BNC from the original bnc program. Actually I mostly know BNCs from their use by script kiddies as part of rootkits to flag pwned systems so they could trade them like collection cards. If the #dominions channel treats BNCs as users then thats good to know. Since GameSurge has its own anonymity signup Im surprised they do. But it can be a handy program so some will probably appreciate the into.
Thanks.

[lch]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Parker

Yes now its a BNC from the original bnc program. Actually I mostly know BNCs from their use by script kiddies as part of rootkits to flag pwned systems so they could trade them like collection cards.

Ah, the infamous botnets. The programs do have a very clearly defined and useful purpose though, these botnets are an unrelated side issue.

Originally Posted by Gandalf Parker

If the #dominions channel treats BNCs as users then thats good to know. Since GameSurge has its own anonymity signup Im surprised they do. But it can be a handy program so some will probably appreciate the into.
Thanks.

I didn't mean to imply anything, just wanted to make sure that we're on equal terms about what "bots" are, which initially looked like it would be everything including away-scripts to you. As I said before, I doubt that there's more than one bouncer in the channel, the others frequently talk or at least quit and reconnect from time to time, so they're all clients. Not that it makes any difference or is of any importance. The IRC channel is for talk, and talking there is. If the announced dev chat would be about Illwinter only, Shrapnel Games should hold it there.

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally Posted by lch

I didn't mean to imply anything, just wanted to make sure that we're on equal terms about what "bots" are, which initially looked like it would be everything including away-scripts to you.

It is. With some judgement on how many auto-responses there are.

If the announced dev chat would be about Illwinter only, Shrapnel Games should hold it there.

lol. cute.

[lch]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Parker

It is. With some judgement on how many auto-responses there are.

I still doubt that this is an accurate definition, but in that case there are no bots at all, because there are no auto-responses in the channel.