the unofficial #afrikaans website ... the afrikaans channel of irc.zanet.org.za ... heyafrikaans@usa.net

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Welcome to the unofficial #afrikaans website. This section deals with how to get operator status on the channel. All comments and feedback greatly appreciated. Report l-user abuse, please. DISCLAIMER: do not continue unless you have a sense of humour. All information is provided without guarentee of accuracy, but generally you can trust us. Also, don't forget to SIGN OUR GUESTBOOK, and later you can read our guestbook. Site under construction. Awaiting official launch.
You can skip to the REAL TRUTH, if you want.
The easiest way to get ops in #afrikaans on the ZaNet is to sleep with another ops. Disclaimer: success not guarenteed. But seriously, how does one become ops in #afrikaans? Channel operators (ops) on the ZaNet performs a slightly different function to the ops on other networks. On other networks ops are there purely for the enjoyment of other chatters. Ops are supposed to keep the channel happy and friendly, and getting rid of troublemakers. On the ZaNet, on the other hand, ops status are given according to the accomplishment of certain tasks, and channel operators perform a slightly different role. On other networks, you may find two or three ops for every 25 people in the channel, but on the ZaNet any channel with less than 60 % ops is a rarity.
On the ZaNet, ops status is given to regulars and friends. If you want to have ops, therefore, you have to create the impression that you are a friend and a regular.
If you want to have ops, then, take a look at the following list of possible courses of action:
- Sleep with another ops (already mentioned, successrate fairly good, depending on the ops). To sleep with an ops you'll have to meet them first. Also, you may do well to discover their sexual preference while you're at it. Half of the ops in #afrikaans are gay or lesbian. It's important to remember that the sleep-with-ops option is not officially recognised, and you may have to plan ahead to ensure you don't lose your ops status too quickly if you stop sleeping around. As soon as the other ops get used to you getting ops, chances are they will give you ops themselves, with no additional favours required.
- Do something stupid and then apologise. Nothing makes a better and more "responsible" impression that someone who is willing to admit a mistake and apologise to the person concerned. Don't overdo this option. If you are a complete newbie and several other factors are in your favour (e.g. pronouncable nickname, attractive combination of age and sex), you may stand a chance. An example of such rash beheaviour would be to use a swearword in the channel, and when kicked apologise to the appropriate ops. If the ops in question likes you, you will have moved up in their books, and you may get ops sooner than if you would have if you had simply been good.
- Be in the channel 24 hours a day. It also pays to have a nice nickname, something that is easily recognised and yet easily pronounced (even if mispronounced). Nicknames with humour in them are also remembered easily. This issue is discussed in more detail in our NICKNAME section. The reason we mention it here, is... if you become a regular sight in the channel, you are bound to be recognised as ops material. Be seen. Also, be sure to take part in the general channel conversations. Say intelligent things.
- Greet others with vigour. People will start noticing you if you start noticing them. Try to get noticed by some of the ops, and then greet them ferociously when they enter the channel. Chances are they will be taken aback at first ("Do I know this guy?... he's very friendly with me") but later they will come to appreciate the attention ("I feel loved... this guy deserves ops").
- Be unique. Don't overdo it, but have some kind of special unique thing about you. It makes you noticed.
- Chat with ops and other regulars. Talk with them in the channel and in private. Try to get to know them personally (a.s.l. does not apply). Try to find people with problems, and ask compassionate questions. Chances are they will warm up to you and eventually trust you enough to give you ops.
- Be consistently responsible. After an initial rash deed, take part in channel comments about the awful beheaviour of newbies and wannabes. Make a face when someone uses a swearword. Rebuke people who talk about sex and blood sports (such as cricket) in the channel. Get a name of being someone with integrity (or at least with a semblance of christian upbringing).
- Become the friend of a friend of a friend of an ops, in real life. Chances are you'll meet the ops eventually, and if you make a good impression and then initiate a conversation in the channel, you may just end up getting ops before the month is over.
- Fake mutual interest in an ops. If you happen to know that a particular ops likes doing pottery, you can join their pottery classes for a few weeks. The ops will think that you have something in common, which in turn will lead to the beginnings of a friendship, which in turn will lead to you getting recognised in the channel, which in turn will lead to you getting ops. Then wait two weeks, and then drop the pottery classes. But keep up the pretence.
- Get ops in another channel on the ZaNet. Having ops in one channel means that anyone who recognises your nickname will immediately assume that you are trustworthy and a regular.
THE REAL TRUTH:
- Ops in #afrikaans are given to friends and regulars.
- Ops have regulatory powers, but no regulatory obligations.
- To get ops you must have a registred nickname, and you must have been on the ZaNet for at least 3 months.
- Having ops requires at least a superficial knowledge of channel politics, and the favour of at least one of the major political channel parties.