Freenode
Encyclopedia
freenode, formerly known as Open Projects Network, is an IRC
network
used to discuss peer-directed projects. Their servers are all accessible from the domain name
[irc://chat.freenode.net chat.freenode.net], which load balances
connections by using the actual servers in rotation. As of 2010, it was the largest free and open source software
-focused IRC network, encompassing more than 70,000 users and 40,000 channels.
freenode began as a 4-person Linux
support channel called #LinPeople on EFnet
, another IRC network. By 1995 it had moved from being just a channel to its own network, irc.linpeople.org. In early 1998 it changed to Open Projects Net (OPN) with about 200 users and under 20 channels. The OPN soon grew to become the largest network for the free software community
, and 20th largest in the world. In 2002 the name changed to freenode and the Peer-Directed Projects Center
was founded as the legal umbrella organization.
On June 24, 2006, a user with the nickname "ratbert" gained the network privileges of freenode administrator
Rob Levin
(lilo) and took control of the network. It is likely that approximately 25 user passwords were stolen as a result. This user proceeded to K-line
many freenode staff members, and most freenode servers subsequently went down for several hours.
The network focuses on supporting peer-directed and open source projects. Channels not related to these things are considered off-topic and encouraged to find a home elsewhere. To support this distinction, channels are divided into namespaces. Primary on-topic channels begin with a single #, and groups wanting to use such a channel must officially register with freenode. "About" channels begin with two ##, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis without needing a group registration.
Internet Relay Chat
Internet Relay Chat is a protocol for real-time Internet text messaging or synchronous conferencing. It is mainly designed for group communication in discussion forums, called channels, but also allows one-to-one communication via private message as well as chat and data transfer, including file...
network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
used to discuss peer-directed projects. Their servers are all accessible from the domain name
Domain name system
The Domain Name System is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities...
[irc://chat.freenode.net chat.freenode.net], which load balances
Load balancing (computing)
Load balancing is a computer networking methodology to distribute workload across multiple computers or a computer cluster, network links, central processing units, disk drives, or other resources, to achieve optimal resource utilization, maximize throughput, minimize response time, and avoid...
connections by using the actual servers in rotation. As of 2010, it was the largest free and open source software
Free and open source software
Free and open-source software or free/libre/open-source software is software that is liberally licensed to grant users the right to use, study, change, and improve its design through the availability of its source code...
-focused IRC network, encompassing more than 70,000 users and 40,000 channels.
History
freenode began as a 4-person Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
support channel called #LinPeople on EFnet
EFnet
EFnet or Eris Free network is a major IRC network, with more than 35,000 users. It is the modern-day descendant of the original IRC network.- History :...
, another IRC network. By 1995 it had moved from being just a channel to its own network, irc.linpeople.org. In early 1998 it changed to Open Projects Net (OPN) with about 200 users and under 20 channels. The OPN soon grew to become the largest network for the free software community
Free software community
The free-software community is an informal term that refers to the users and developers of free software as well as supporters of the free-software movement. The movement is sometimes referred to as the open-source software community or a subset thereof...
, and 20th largest in the world. In 2002 the name changed to freenode and the Peer-Directed Projects Center
Peer-Directed Projects Center
The PDPC is known as the organization which runs the freenode IRC network, prominent open source projects such as the GNU Project operate an IRC chat service. The PDPC is incorporated in England and Wales.- Goals :...
was founded as the legal umbrella organization.
On June 24, 2006, a user with the nickname "ratbert" gained the network privileges of freenode administrator
Network administrator
A network administrator, network analyst or network engineer is a person responsible for the maintenance of computer hardware and software that comprises a computer network...
Rob Levin
Rob Levin
-External links:* – Rob Levin's essay on the marginalization of scarcity...
(lilo) and took control of the network. It is likely that approximately 25 user passwords were stolen as a result. This user proceeded to K-line
K-Line
K-Line Electric Trains is a brand name of O gauge and S gauge model railway locomotives, rolling stock, and buildings. Formerly the brand name under which Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based MDK Inc. sold its products, K-Line was then acquired by Sanda Kan, a Chinese toy manufacturer that formerly...
many freenode staff members, and most freenode servers subsequently went down for several hours.
Characteristics
Unlike many other networks, freenode is centrally managed. Staffers (as IRC operators are called) have the same access across all servers. Some operations that would normally only apply to one server (like k-lines) are propagated across the whole network. Servers are "donated" to the network, rather than "linked."The network focuses on supporting peer-directed and open source projects. Channels not related to these things are considered off-topic and encouraged to find a home elsewhere. To support this distinction, channels are divided into namespaces. Primary on-topic channels begin with a single #, and groups wanting to use such a channel must officially register with freenode. "About" channels begin with two ##, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis without needing a group registration.