Server: irc.spotchat.org
Channels: #linuxmint-help, #linuxmint-debian, #linuxmint-chat, #pimpmymint
Before asking a question in one of the support channels please do the following:
Search for a solution, both in the forum and on the internet - Google is a good resource.
If the problem is with a specific application, check if it has it's own homepage with support.
You do not need to ask permission before asking a question, pose the question to the channel and if someone is available to help you, he or she will reply. Do not flood the channel by repeatedly asking the same question. If you do not get a response to a question right away, respectfully wait for a period of 15-20 minutes before asking the question again.
Please do not direct questions to a specific user unless he/she has already begun to help you.
To communicate effectively in the channels please,
Speak plainly and clearly, refrain from using <CAPS> lock, and most importantly - be polite.
Users will be warned of any infraction of the rules below, and told to cease such behaviour. If the violation continues, the user will be temporarily devoiced or kicked. If the user continues to misbehave after a revoice and/or kick, he/she may be banned at the channel operator's discretion.
*Any incident is subject to an Operator's discretion, and a kick and/or ban may be issued before a warning
[1] No Spamming or Flooding
- Spam messages (advertisements, abusive or otherwise unwanted material) will not be tolerated in the channels. Spammers will be kicked immediately.
- Flooding large amounts of information may result in a temporary devoice while the flooding is occurring, if the cause was accidental or due to ignorance.
- Use http://dpaste.com for messages longer than a couple of lines. Persistent flooding will result in a kick when the user has ignored requests to use pastebin.
- Any offensive material such as swear words or derogatory terms are prohibited.
- For extreme cases, such as hate speech or pornography, the user may be kick/banned on-site. Hate speech is defined as an attack on religion, race, nationality, sexual orientation, or any other self-identifiable group.
- Censoring a swear word by substituting a letter with an asterisk symbol "*", or using acronyms that contain a swear word is considered swearing and will be treated as such.
- Engaging in malicious behavior intended to annoy, offend, or intimidate other users is unacceptable.
- Any requests for help pertaining to illicit computer activities is prohibited and will not be supported (i.e., piracy, malicious hacking). Requesting, distributing, or linking illegal material is forbidden.
- Trolling consists of messages containing an apparently foolish contradiction of common knowledge, a deliberately offensive insult to the users of the channel or a broad request for trivial follow-up messages. It serves no purpose other than the enjoyment of the troll.
- Suggesting commands that could harm or destroy another user's system, even in jest, is strictly off limits. It is considered a form of trolling.
- Any off-topic conversation in #linuxmint-help or #linuxmint-debian will be redirected to #linuxmint-chat and/or #pimpmymint.
- #linuxmint-chat is the official venue for off-topic material and casual conversations are encouraged.
- #pimpmymint is similar to #linuxmint-chat, with a relaxation on freedom of speech under context (i.e. swearing for purposes of expression is tolerated; however, use for personal attacks is still not).
- None of the channels are intended for "date chat", do not ask "ASL?".
- No unofficial bots are allowed in the Linux Mint channels. A discovered bot will be removed from the channel(s).
Considerations
* If you have a concern with an individual operator, or believe you have been treated unfairly (i.e., banned from a channel without cause), keep a log (record) handy. Contact proxima_centauri@linuxmint.com with a description of the incident, and any pertinent logs or information.
* Any unwanted and persisting private messages (PMs), DCC, or CTCP requests to Operator's, or any other user, will result in removal from the Linux Mint channels. We understand mistakes happen, and one will be sufficiently informed and warned before removal from the channels is considered.
