A channel operator, is a person that is operating a channel (kind of self-explanatory there <G>). Operating a channel can be different from channel to channel, but the difference is more in the channel rules then it is in the job of channel Oping.

Channel Ops are not deities, they are operators because the founder(s) of the channel, or the fellow operators have decided to make them Ops, with the belief that they will uphold any channel rules. Not all channels have written rules, some are operated by a feeling or a touch.

In the following paragraphs, we will try to show you the work of a channel operator, the work can be different in different channels, but this should give you a good idea of what it is all about.

Be prepared to answer questions about the channel, so understand what your channel is about, and also know the topic of the channel. Or know where to guide the person that is asking for information.

Watch the channel and make sure all people are following the written/unwritten rules of the channel, if not talk to the person in the channel and if that doesn't work, take it to a private message, and if that still doesn't give you positive results, use the proper means to secure the channel

Support and help people in the channel, that need help with channel related topics. If help is needed outside the purpose of the channel, then know the network well enough to point the person to the right place. If the channel offers scripts, or other kind of support, then know what/where/how, and NEVER be afraid to answer a question with "I do not know that, but I will tell you who might help". Either give a nick of a fellow Op that knows the answer, or guide the person to a place where help can be found. Even telling them you'll try to find the information for them is better than saying you don't know and leaving the person floundering.

Be loyal to your fellow Ops and help them out if they need it. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Protect the channel, against people that only travel from channel to channel to cause problems. Either by advising users of the channel, and/or make sure the trouble maker can't enter the channel.

Being a channel operator can be hard work, you will sometimes find you opping alone in channel, with many users needing help. Even though a persons problem can seem unimportant, or easy to you, it doesn't mean the user/visitor looks at it the same way. Therefore always try to see your answers and actions from the visitors view of point.

Hard Work!

Being a channel operator can be hard work, you will sometimes find yourself Op-ing alone in channel, with many users needing help. Even though a persons problem can seem unimportant, or easy to you, it doesn't mean the user/visitor looks at it the same way. Therefore always try to see your answers and actions from the visitors view of point.

From having heard lots of comments and questions about being a channel Op, in the following paragraphs you will find some of the most frequently asked ones, and a comment about them.

Frequently comments and questions.

Question: Does it pay good to be a channel operator ?

Answer: There is no paycheck, the pay is knowing that you are helping to make a channel a good place, so if you want to get rich, irc is not the place to spend your hours.

Question: I want @ so people respect me ! Won't they do that when I am an Op?

Answer: Respect ? Being an Op will never give you respect in it self, everybody can join an empty channel and become an Op. The respect does not come with @, but is earned.

Question: I want to be an Op so I have the power ! Won't I have more power with the @?

Answer: What power ? Yes, you can as a channel Op kick people out of the channel, and you can ban them so they can't join the channel. But is that power ? the strength is to not being forced to use the power, if you can talk a person from acting up, then you have more people in channel, and more happy people in channel, makes the channel more fun. Kicking and banning people is the last way out, and should never be used just because you can, that is not power and one who thinks it is would not make a very good channel Op.

Question: Look at my @, I am somebody ! Aren't I somebody special now because I'm an Op?

Answer: If you are not somebody without the @, then you won't be with the @. Cause the @ will hopefully not change who you are, when people change because of the @ it is very very seldom a change for the better.

Question: I'm a channel Op so don't I need to wear my @ all the time?

Answer: No, you don't. Often a channel with more Op's then people without Ops, will scare newcomers. Tthe @ is used when you need to do Op work, not when you help people or are just having fun. Remember, if it is needed you can quickly get the @ back. Balancing a channel is important, to few @'s can be stressing and too many @'s will scare people away.

Question: Aren't Op's always right?

Answer: Being an Op does not improve your skills, and certainly does not make your more right or wrong. The @ is a sign to people that if they need a channel operator, then they can ask you cause you are on duty. It's does not make you infallible.

Question: Shouldn't I always wear my @, even when I'm not there?

Answer: What for? If you wear the @ then be there, do not be afk, or doing other stuff that will prevent you doing your job. If you can't do the job then deop yourself until you can. Yes it is fine to go to the bathroom, get a bite to eat etc. But imagine you need a policeman and see the uniform on the street, and the person in it is off, and won't/can't help you. People depend on the @ meaning that the person is there. How would you feel going into a room where you need help and all the Op's are silent. It wouldn't make you feel very welcome, that's for sure!