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Alamak Chat Help / Ops Commands

backup
ban
blink
bold
color
give
http link
image
italic
kick
lock
post
read
summon
unban
unlock
word
modification

COLOR : //[color] [text]

Color causes the rest of the line specified with [text] to be displayed as bold and in the color specified. Notice that these command use double forward slash "//" at the beginning of the line. Colors are specified either as standard 1 character abreviations ( r , g , b , c , p , y , m , w ) or hexidecimal ( R = red , G = green , B = blue ) RRGGBB format. See the Color Reference. If this text is not displayed in RED then your browser can not display colors but you can still use the commands to color your text for other users. When using the HEX codes for colors remember that only 0-9 and a-f are recognized hexidecimal digits and that 0 is lowest intensity and F or f is highest.

WORD MODIFICATION : //[text] /[HEX][word], /bo[word], /bl[word], and /it[word]

The commands /bo, /bl, and /it cause the next word to be printed in HEX color bold, blinking, or italic text. These commands will only work in lines that start with two forwards slashes same as the line modifiers and there is no space between the commands and the words they modify. These commands can be used in combination with line modification or other word modifications to get two or more types of text modification. For example "... /bo/itHello" would print "... Hello!!!". Remember that at the beginning of the line a line modification has a space after the /HEX, /bo, /bl, or /it option but word modifyers do not ... so no space would just modify the following first word of the line.

BOLD : //bo [line]

Bold will cause the whole [line] to be printed in bold text. The /bo /bl /it commands do work in combination with this command but /pic does not.

BLINK : //bl [line]

Blink will cause the whole [line] to be printed in blinking text. The /bo /bl /it commands do work in combination with this command but /pic does not.

ITALIC : //it [line]

Italic will cause the whole [line] to be printed in italic text. The /bo /bl /it commands do work in combination with this command but /pic does not.

HTTP LINK : /[URL] [text]

This command has an unusual format and is used display a hypertext link to a web resource with what is commonly called a URL, or "Uniform Resource Locator". Only URLs that start with "http://" are accepted by this command. An example would be "/http://www.alamak.com/ Alamak Home Page". The URL is placed immediately after the forward slash with no space between. This is then followed by a space and the actual [text] to display as a hypertext link.

LOCK : /lock

The /lock command locks the current location so that other users can not enter unless they are summoned. When a new location is created by an Operator is it automatically locked, but can be unlocked with the /unlock command and re-locked with the /lock command. Once a location is locked it is labeled as locked with the Operators nickname and address and can only be re-entered by the Operator who locked it as determined by matching nickname and IP address. Users can be /summoned to a locked location and if another Operator /locks the location again the new lock replaces the old so that only the last person who locked it can re-enter after leaving.

SUMMON : /summon [nick]

The /summon command transports the user with the nickname [nick] to the current location. Summons can be prevented by using the /null command. Summons is the only way to get a user into a locked location without unlocking it first. The user receives a private message telling them who has summoned them. Summon is delayed until the person being summoned refreshes the screen. If the person leaves before refreshing it will fail and hence the message "attempting to summon user...". If a summons seems to have failed with no message indicating it is blocked, try using /whois to see how long they have been idle. Operators must use their regular Operator nickname when using /summon.

KICK : /kick [nick] [comment]

The /kick is used to kick a user off the chat for minor violations in chat policy. The user will be kicked off the chat for 10 minutes, after which they will be able to log back on as normal. A warning is not required for /kick but kicking should be done only for violations in chat policy, not to settle personal squabbles.

READ : /read

Read is used by Operators to view the Operators message board. Messages are listed most recent first and include the Operators official nickname and the time of posting Pacific Standard Time.

IMAGE : /img [nick] [URL]

Image is used to send a picture image to another user specified by [nick]. Only files ending in .gif and .jpg are allowed and Operators must use their official nickname when using this command. The image, nickname, address of sender, and [URL] is displayed once to that user and then deleted. The reason so much information is sent with the /img command is so that the person who sends the /img is held responsible for the display of that image and reduce abuse. An example "/img Bob http://www.alamak.com/pic/alam.jpg". Images can be prevented with the IGNORE command "/ig".

POST : /post [text]

Post is used to put a message on the Operators message board. When the message board is full the oldest message is pushed off the board and the new one added at the top. The message board holds somewhere between 50 and 100 messages depending on how the server is setup and should be used for posting information of general interest to all Operators. It is not a complaint forum, a voting booth, a place to discuss server changes or send suggestions to Alamak. It is a good place to announce Operator meetings and chat parties. This message board can only be read by Operators.

UNLOCK : /unlock

Unlock will remove a /lock that has been placed on a non-public location. If an Operator creates a new location, it is locked by default and must use /unlock to allow other users, including other Operators, to enter the location except by summoning.

BACKUP : /backup

Backup sends a message to all other Operators on the chat that help is needed at the current location. Backup is a good command to use when an Operator is trying to stand up for chat policies and is overwhelmed by a group of users at a given location. This command should only be used in cases where the Operator or Operators at the location cannot handle the situation alone. In cases where an Operator is accused of misuse of powers or has a conflict with other Operators it is probably a good idea to /summon a few other Operators to the location to get second and third opinions and come up with a group solution. Operator conflicts or disagreements on policy should be addressed by private message or in a locked location as public accusations generally aggravate the situation.

BAN : /ban [nick]

Ban is used to prevent users who refuse to follow chat policy or are harassing other users from logging into the chat. There are two forms of the /ban command. The simplest form of the Ban command is "/ban [nick"] where the server figures out the address of user [nick] places what it thinks would be a good address ban and then kicks the user (but not anyone else with the same address) off the chat. Since users from a particular address may have many individual machines at their disposal or have a dynamically assigned address, the server uses only the first three fields of the IP address when placing a nick ban. So if a user with IP address "1.2.3.4" is banned the server would ban any addresses matching "1.2.3" in the first part of the address. In this example an person with address "1.2.3.5" would not be able to get into a chat but "5.1.2.3" would be allowed. The second form of the command is used in case a user is rapidly changing their nickname to avoid banning, in which case you can just ban the address directly with "/ban [address]". In the above example a good ban to place would be "/ban 1.2.3". There are more possibilities with address bans such as "/ban 1.2" and "/ban 1.2.3.4" which would result in less specific and more specific bans respectively. Realize that banning address "1.2.3.4" will probably result in the user switching to the terminal sitting right next to them with a slightly different address.

Banning should only be used when a user repeatedly ignores chat policy and in serious cases of harassment. Chat policy is clearly stated on the login page and all users have clicked the button that says they agree to follow the chat policies, so there are no excuses. In cases of repeated abuse by a user a particular site can be added to a permanent ban list usually by recommendation of the Operator Committee. Ban should not be used to resolve personal conflicts and Operators should do their best to make impartial decisions and ask for a second opinion when needed. Try to be moderate and use good sense as some Operators tend to overkill with the chat policies but others are afraid of being accused of abuse. Insults to other users should not be tolerated. Operators are here to have fun too and are not required to police the chat, but also should not prevent other Operators from keeping the place decent. Diversity of ideas and constructive debate should be fostered as stated on the login page. The main point of chat policy is to keep the chat friendly and enjoyable for most people as well as decent enough for underage users. People are allowed and encouraged to do what they like in private locations or by private message as long as it is within the bounds of the law and there are no complaints of harassment. Please realize again that many users are under the age of 18 and adjust your behavior accordingly.

Banning of other Operators is STRONGLY discouraged and relatively new Operators can not /ban other Operators! Operator conflicts should be resolved by private message or in a locked location with the help of other Operators. If a solution can not be found please send email to the Operator Committee. Operators found harassing regular users will have their membership suspended or revoked without refund as stated in the Operator Policies. Enforcing or intent to enforce chat policy does not constitute harassment. If there is a conflict and chat policies are being followed it is probably a good idea to go to different location for awhile.

UNBAN : /unban [address]

Unban is used to remove or list banned addresses. The [address] option is optional and a list of banned addresses will be displayed. If an [address] is supplied and it exactly matches an address in the ban list, the ban will be removed from the list. As an example "/unban 1.2.3" would remove a ban on address "1.2.3" followed by anything. All bans are deleted when the server is rebooted or reset by one of the system operators. Addresses should be unbanned after a sufficient time has elapsed.

GIVE: /give [nick]

The /give command allows Operators to give one color to [nick] (chosen at their discretion). Operators can /give 2 times per hour.

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