1. Introduction
This document is not intended to be a water-tight legal agreement. It is instead intended to provide a framework of understanding as to how Shadowfire operates, what we deem to be acceptable and what we do not. As such, we expect a certain level of common sense and intuition. If you are uncertain about anything, please speak to an IRC operator online (join the #shadowfire channel) or contact support with your question.
This Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) governs the use of computers and servers on the Shadowfire Internet Relay Chat Network. As a user of these resources, you are responsible for reading and understanding this document. This document protects Shadowfire's users, computing hardware, networks and system administrators.
Shadowfire reserves the right to alter this AUP and any terms and conditions of service at any time without prior notice.
The ShadowFire AUP is under constant review and we consider comments from both our users and staff. Users are subject to the AUP in effect at the time of making use of any Shadowfire resource or service.
2. User Rights
A user's rights are, to put them simply:
- the ability to chat freely;
- the ability to manage one's channel(s) as one sees fit, without fear of reprisal;
- not risk disconnection by vindictive IRC operators;
- not endure abuse or harassment from users or IRC operators.
3. User Responsibilities
Users are the reason Shadowfire exists; and content users make a happy network. As such, Shadowfire provides its users with a rather large amount of freedom in that its administration aims not to involve itself with channel/user politics.
In return for this freedom, each user is expected to live up to a few expectations, including:
- not engaging in any form of IRC or Internet warfare – this includes, but is not limited to: nuking, flooding and spamming;
- to not abuse or harass other users or channels – this includes, but is not limited to: "name" calling, racist remarks, spamming, advertising etc;
- to comply with a channel's guidelines – that is, when you join a channel, you are expected to abide by that channel's rules and regulations;
- to comply with any provisions made in a server's Message Of The Day (MOTD). For example, the maximum number of simultaneous client connections, the general use of the network and the connection of bots to the server. Type /motd to view a server's MOTD. If in doubt, simply ask first.
- to respect local and international law, copyrights and trademarks.
Actions falling outside these guidelines will be considered abuse of Shadowfire's resources or the freedom provided to its users. Nobody likes abuse. Shadowfire's staff hate dealing with it. Please respect this.
4. The Role of the IRC Operator
An IRC Operator (IRCop) is someone who manages the network and its servers and supports the network's users. Their status on the network begins and ends there. As mentioned above, IRCops attempt to remain as unintrusive as possible.
If you have a question or problem, please don't hessitate to contact an IRC Operator. They're there to help.
IRCops will not get involved in any of the following:
- personal arguments or disputes;
- the manner in which a channel is run or the rules a channel imposes.
However, IRCops may become involved should any of the above impact, or have the potential to impact, the network as a whole in any way.
IRC Operators also end up dealing with any abuse of Shadowfire's resources or the freedom it provides its users. Abuse may result in a temporary or permanent ban from the network. It may also result in the loss or suspension of any network related resources – such as channels or nicknames.