Introduction

We from Helpdesk like to think we're a nice channel, with a relaxed atmosphere, where you can idle and be helped with your scripting problems. But, especially because we are an official DALnet help channel, we do have some rules we expect you to follow. Most of these rules have to do with common netiquette. Do not break these rules, and you'll make both your and our stay more pleasant. Also remember, a kick is almost never personal.

These guidelines are here for one purpose only: to keep the channel running smoothly and allow us to help users as best we can. Therefore, most of these guidelines come down to simply behaving like a normal human being, as you would do in real life. Why would you behave in a way that you wouldn't in real life? It certainly won't get you helped.

How we respond to a violation against these guidelines is up to the OP in question. What one OP may warn for, another may kick or even ban for. Just to make sure, here is a list of a few of them. This list may not be complete, we cannot anticipate everything a user might do :)

Please also keep in mind that we are a HELP channel. Do not expect us to write your code for you. Our helping is aimed at not only getting you the code that you want, but also help you become more self sufficient. Often OPs will ask you to read a piece of the helpfile, or look up things yourself. this is aimed at teaching you the tricks needed to be able to write scripts. please do not ignore these recommendations.

Rules

NO MSGING

We are a help CHANNEL. That means we help in the channel. Do not msg OPs or other helpers. If you have a question, ask it in a channel so that any helper who is free can help you.

NO ILLEGAL SOFTWARE / WAREZ APPLICATIONS

We do not condone nor will we help with the acquiring of illegal software applications that you, yourself have not purchased - this is stealing.

NO ILLEGAL SCRIPTS

We do not help with scripts of any kind that violate either DALnet rules or the rules of decent behaviour. This includes, but is not limited to: flood scripts, war scripts, inviter scripts, mass-anything scripts, including masskicks/massbans/mass msging, abusive scripts intended to acquire someone's passwords, install backdoors, revenge scripts, clones, etc.

Please note that any script designed to deop/ban/kick an OP for deopping/banning/kicking/slapping etc is not considered to be a protection script. That is in fact a revenge script.

NO PASTING CODE

Do not blindly paste your code in the channel, as it floods. Instead, ask your question. If the helper wishes to see your code, he will ask you to paste it in #HDtest, or use our pastebin.

NO ADVERTISING

We do not allow spamming of websites, phone numbers, other IRC channels or networks, scripts or any other kind of spam. Referring a user to a proper helpchannel because their question is off-topic in #HelpDesk is NOT against this guideline.

NO ATTENTION GETTING TRICKS

To keep the helping smooth and simple, please ask your question in a normal fashion. This means that you should NOT do the following:

• do not repeat your question several times
• do not use excessive colors or background colors to attract attention
• do not talk in all caps (shouting) or use excessive punctuation marks (? and !)
• do not send notices to the channel
• do not use actions to ask a question (you don't talk in third person in the real world, so why do it here...). This will work counter-productive.

NO SCRIPTS

We do not allow users to run scripts in #HelpDesk other than scripts that do not bother us. Away scripts and MP3 scripts are the most used and abused scripts in the channel. We do not like this. Do not play sounds in the channel. Do not test your scripts/code in #HelpDesk. If you want to test your code, goto #HDtest, where OPs might also help you with testing.

WATCH THE LANGUAGE

#HelpDesk is a channel that is open for all users. Therefor we don't accept abusive behaviour, which includes swearing, or topics of discussion which aren't exactly appropriate to some age groups. Since we also have people coming in from all over the world, please keep in mind that some things you may find very normal, others might find very offensive.

That's basically it. We would like you to keep the following in mind tho:

• We are an English speaking channel. If you ask we can refer you to channels that help in your language, but we do not help in other languages.
• Do not ask to become an OP here. The OPs are always looking out for new helpers, and those who ask generally are not what we are looking for. If we see people who we feel will make good channel staff, we will let you know. The first sign is often getting a +.
• Note that #HelpDesk is a HELP channel, and not a CHAT channel. If you are looking for a channel to chat with people, goto a dedicated chat channel. there's plenty of them.
• Nick completers that use color are allowed, as long as they don't violate the guidelines above (no excessive colors, no background colors), and keep the nick intact, without inserting/deforming the nick. A nick completer should also respect the case of the letters.
• We are a mIRC scripting help channel. While we may answer off-topic questions when there is little action in the channel, you should not expect to always be answered. OPs will do their best to refer you to the right help channel when you ask an off-topic question and they either don't know or don't have the time to answer.

If you get kicked or banned, and are unsure why, you could try msging the OP who kicked/banned you, and ask them politely why he did so. He would normally explain, which would most likely lead to the ban being removed so that you may return to the channel and ask your question.

See also

Why was I kicked?

Guidelines (the full version, the whole shabang)