Freenode
From Sysadmin
freenode, formerly known as Open Projects Network, is an IRC network used to discuss peer-directed projects.<ref>Mutton, Paul. IRC Hacks: 100 Industrial-Strength Tips & Tools. Cambridge: O'Reilly Media 2004. ISBN 0-596-00687-X</ref> Their servers are all accessible from the domain name chat.freenode.net, which load balances connections by using the actual servers in rotation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is the largest free and open source software-focused IRC network, encompassing more than 70,000 users and 40,000 channels.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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History
freenode began as a 4-person Linux support channel called #LinPeople on EFnet, another IRC network. By 1995 it 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. The Peer-Directed Projects Center was founded as the legal umbrella organization.Template:Fact
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This user proceeded to K-line many freenode staff members, and most freenode servers subsequently went down for several hours.<ref>Freenode IRC Network hacked The Inquirer article about NickServ hack</ref>
Characteristics
Unlike many other networks,Template:Fact 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."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Server Software
freenode currently runs ircd-seven, a set of freenode-specific patches on the Charybdis IRC server. The network previously ran an ircd called hyperion. The replacement of hyperion with ircd-seven<ref>freenode.net</ref> occurred on Saturday, January 30, 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
