Topic Split: IRC Discussion

sure, i use the telegram-desktop snap over here on all machines … but you still need to specifically create a telegram account, give your phone number away, it requires the use of a phone to receive the sms with initial login code, etc etc … it creates an extra artificial hurdle to overcome that we should not put in place …

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Maybe a bit OT, but…

I set up Telegram recently. Tried the telegram-desktop snap first, but no SMS with the code showed up. Uninstalled the snap and installed the .deb from universe instead. Then it worked instantly.

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@ogra Like I mentioned earlier, we can consider Matrix as well. Unlike Telegram, it doesn’t require you to enter your phone number and since it’s decentralized, Ubuntu can set up its own Matrix server.

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Yes and if the goal is to reach new users, add the channel to the URL as well, like http://webchat.freenode.net/?chan=#ubuntu-meeting. Not much left then. :wink:

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I added the support channels to the document long ago because someone requested it.

Any wiki editor can do it, it just takes time (mostly in testing, and deciding a title).

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Given the current upheaval at Freenode, it might be timely for Ubuntu to reconsider its position anyway, be that sticking on Freenode, moving to another network, or moving to another platform entirely.

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The CC and IRCC are taking the lead on this decision, and have been in touch with the community team. We all agree this is urgent, and I imagine after tonight’s CC meeting there will be a clearer direction of what we do from here - and we’ll make sure that direction gets out to everyone.

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There has been an update, however I am skeptical.

https://freenode.net/news/freenode-is-foss

From ex-employes of Freenode, introducing the new Libera Chat.

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in case it has not been seen by everyone, here the link to the minutes from the community council meeting around the IRC issues:

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I personally think, IRC is a good thing and the Webchat makes using IRC really simple. But at the moment Libera doesn’t have an webchat. A big advantage of IRC is that you do not vae to give any personal information to a provider (unless the channel is +r).

EDIT: Well, actually Libera doesn’t has his own webchat, but it’s possible to use https://kiwiirc.com/nextclient/irc.libera.chat/.

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Matrix is pretty nice. It makes much more sense to me to just switch over to Matrix (and then add IRC bridging) as opposed to switching IRC servers.

does matrix support IRC cloaks (which is a feature of ubuntu membership), will all the bots, scripts and tools “just work”, can you do channel forwarding for “out of service channels” etc etc … the IRCC is familiar with IRC and they are the ones having to do the heavylifting of migrating a ton of channels, tools, bots and whatnot over …

it seems everyone feels like it is mildly urgent to move away from freenode for the moment, in that light i dont think switching technologies at the same time is actually clever … such a move makes more sense to be well planned in advance.

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Making two switches in the next year makes even less sense. Any transitions are going to lose people - the more you do the worse it may be. Switching to Matrix will make it more welcoming for new users.

I wasn’t able to find information on IRC Cloaks equivalent in Matrix.

And where exactly is the problem with Freenode?
According to the resolution the Ubuntu IRC Council believes this and that, but I do not see any facts or evidence for any malicious behaviour on Freenode.

It would surely help to understand, why it is urgent. I do not care, whether the channels are on Freenode or libera.chat (or changed to Matrix), but this “we-have-voted-and-acted-based-on-rumours” does not really convince me.

beyond the hostile behaviour of the person running this coup 'd etat and the moral issues in all this back and forth (which is very well documentd in many IRC logs), one of the issues is that all of the nickserv databases are now owned by a commercial, single-person-owned company. that db includes your email address as well as the last IP you connected from which is clearly valuable data to sell … so if you are registered, expect more spam hitting your inbox soon …

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Is this just your opinion? Even after studying several sources I am not able to give a verdict. I cannot say, who is right and who not.

I don’t exactly understand, where the problem is. Until a few days ago, several persons (volunteers) had access to the nickserv databases and it was no problem. Now, a commercial, single-person-owned company has access (plus the volunteers, which remained and new staff) and we have a problem?

I understand what you are trying to imply with this sentence, but nevertheless I think there is a reason why the legal principle in dubio pro reo has prevailed.
Is the “single-person-owned company” based in Europe? If so, I think the GDPR can be used for real and legal steps.

First of all, I expect more spam, regardless of whether my mail is registered on Freenode or not. I am not sure, if the increase of “Freenode-caused” spam will be statistically significant.

Did Canonical try to buy this data? Or did you see an offer in the dark net? Do you have any evidence, that data from the nickserv databases are or will be sold?

I guess, there are several backups of the nickserv databases. So going away from Freenode does not delete the mail addresses from the backups.

yes, this is my opinion after spending a few nights reading through the ton of conversation logs from the #freenode-staff-discussion channel (and solely mine, despite the badge on my avatar i do not speak for canonical when speakíng in the community forum unless i explicitly state i do)

but note that i do not have a say in the IRCC or CC decision here (despite supporting their choice) … the “it seems everyone feels like it is mildly urgent to move away from freenode” is simply an observation across the IRC channels i’m in that i stated …

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Thank you for your answers and your time.

I do not have any problem with your opinion. And I do not have any problem, that the IRCC members have an opinion.

I asked here, because I hoped that somebody can share some links or some evidence of malicious or evil actions.

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mind you, this is a lot to read:

https://paste.sr.ht/blob/4f5c7a6b3f6adb4697572f8cd77582fa16a123de
https://paste.sr.ht/~ircwright/7e751d2162e4eb27cba25f6f8893c1f38930f7c4

more info about the company is

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_Internet_Access

more info about andrew lee (who is also co-founder of the gloriously failed Mt. Gox bitcoin exchange ) is at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Lee_(entrepreneur)

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