We can only help with questions about English Wikipedia! |
IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. There are several different chat rooms available for Wikipedia. #wikipedia-en-help connect is the primary channel for both new and experienced editors seeking real-time web-based help on using and editing the English Wikipedia. Unlike #wikipedia connect and #wikipedia-en connect, Wikipedia's more central channels, #wikipedia-en-help is specifically oriented to help new users. Regular members of the channel, "helpers" are voiced (the IRC channel mode +v), to distinguish the helpers from those requesting help.
Because #wikipedia-en-help is specifically designed for helping (primarily, but not limited to) our newest users – an IRC equivalent to Wikipedia:Teahouse – it is important that helpers be patient, friendly and understanding. The range of questions is usually rather straightforward (see #Dealing with common queries), but the majority of people who come to the channel for help do not always know how the channel works. Therefore, channel conduct should reflect this. "Noise" (excessive off-topic chatter) should be moved to another channel, for example #wikimedia-social connect or ##chat connect, especially when there are users requesting or receiving help. However, it is important to remember that greetings and minor off-topic remarks while people aren't being assisted are perfectly acceptable. If an extended conversation is conflicting with user(s) requesting help, they should be asked politely to move it elsewhere.
Channel operation requires that users of the channel follow guidelines in keeping the purpose of #wikipedia-en-help focused on helping users of Wikipedia. A few basic guidelines are enumerated as follows:
Voiced (+v) channel members provide assistance to those who need help. A user may request to be voiced if they meet the following qualifications:
It is expected that only experienced and voiced users should attempt to provide help and assistance to users. Please note that due to the "live" nature of IRC, helping on IRC is markedly different from helping on-wiki. If you are interested in helping, please ask for assistance from current helpers.
Inappropriate conduct, including poor and incorrect answers or incivility, may lead to the removal of voice and the expectation that the user stop trying to help other users. Failure to do so, or further inappropriate conduct, may result in removal from the channel.
Users who are unvoiced, or are currently blocked and/or banned from English Wikipedia will not be permitted to help or idle in the channel.
Voicing and verification is done through cloaking, described at m:IRC/Cloaks.
Helpmebot is the channel's bot. As well as reporting which users on-wiki need help and welcome users to the channel, it allows for pulling information back about a specific user, specific page, or even a stored bit of text.
Common commands for Helpmebot are:
!helper
- Pokes a helper on the channel for help.!link
- When a message appears saying a user needs help typing this command will provide a link to the userpage of the user requesting help:
!link [[Wikipedia:IRC]]
will make the bot say a link to
Wikipedia:IRC!link
by itself after saying a link will make the bot say a link to the page you just mentioned:<MrBean> For instance, see [[WP:GNG]]
<MrBean> !link
<Helpmebot> /info/en/?search=Wikipedia:GNG
!time
- Display the current date and time in
UTC!commands
- Displays a link (
https://helpmebot.org.uk/commands) to the list of Helpmebot commandsThe channel is managed by a group of experienced volunteers, most of whom are administrators on the English Wikipedia. They all have the technical ability to silence, remove and ban abusive users from the channel, with some able to perform channel maintenance.
If you encounter excess incivility, trolling or spam, type !ops in the channel or ask in #wikimedia-ops connect. [1] If it looks possible, try to catalyse first.
(Founder flags +AFRVefiorstv)
Master IRC nick | Username |
---|---|
Az1568 | Az1568 |
stwalkerster | Stwalkerster |
foks | Fox |
Earwig | The Earwig |
(AccessMod flags +ARVefiorstv)
Master IRC nick | Username |
---|---|
(Op flags +AViortv)
To get a channel operator (e.g. if there is a
troll in the channel, or someone is being offensive), type !ops to get attention.
Master IRC nick | Username |
---|---|
*!*@libera/staff* | — |
AmandaNP | AmandaNP |
bradv | Bradv |
c | Charitwo |
FastLizard4 | FastLizard4 |
jmcgnh | Jmcgnh |
NotASpy | Nick |
Oshwah | Oshwah |
Praxidicae | Praxidicae |
Primefac | Primefac |
Scottyoak | Scottyoak2 |
sqldb | SQL |
Tamzin | Tamzin |
TheresNoTime | TheresNoTime |
Vermont | Vermont |
Note that some channel bots also hold channel operator privileges.
Master IRC nick | Username | Flags |
---|---|---|
Helpmebot | Helpmebot | +RVeiov |
wmopbot | wmopbot | +AViortv (Op) |
ozone | ozone | +AOViov |
litharge | litharge | +AViov |
Voicing means that you are given the mode "+v" in the channel. This is used to help separate the helpers from the helpees. Therefore, when you join the channel, all helpers will be voiced.
For those users that have a cloak affiliated with the projects (wikipedia/*, wikimedia/*, etc.) will be automatically voiced when they join the channel.
If you are an IRC user who has a Wikipedia or other Wikimedia-related cloak, then you will automatically be given voice in the channel. This is because due to the requirements for cloak requests, it is automatically presumed that you can be trusted to be a helper providing useful information to newbies.
The requirements for cloaks are:
For more information and cloaks, and instructions on how to request a cloak, please visit: m:IRC/Cloaks#Obtaining_a_cloak.
If a user is disruptive, trollish or spams the channel, they may be "quieted", which means that they can still remain in the channel, but will not be able to speak, or, for more serious cases, they may be "banned" from the channel for a specified period of time.
Efforts should be taken to speak to the user, politely informing them to cease their disruptive behaviour, usually in PM. This is often far more effective than taking operator action immediately, and is especially useful in cooling a heated situation. Avoid threats, and do not counter abusive comments with more abusive comments; this does nothing to aid any situation. If that fails, and the user continues disrupting the channel, operator intervention may be required at the op's discretion.
Discussion among other operators is often very useful. Encourage ops to join #wikimedia-ops connect if you would like a second opinion (many may already be idling there).
When banned from a channel (+b), the user will not be able to rejoin the channel. Banning will not necessarily solve the problem, and in some cases will only inflame the situation. Thus, this should only be used in exceptional circumstances—join/part flooders, or users with connection issues who are flooding the channel. However, channel operators should use their own judgement when dealing with disruptive users; there may be circumstances where banning is the best course of action. Misuse or abuse of ops may result in removal at the discretion of the channel contacts.
Please note that if a user is quietened and they have the auto-voice (+V) flag, then this should be removed for the duration of their quiet. Otherwise ban evasion may occur, which will result in the user becoming completely banned for the channel for a time determined by of the channel operators.
There is consensus [2] to use Wikipedia:IRC help disclaimer when linking to the help channel because using a more direct link, like one given by the {{ IRC}} template, does not sufficiently inform users of how IPs are handled on IRC.
Insert appropriate links here, e.g. to help desk etc.
We can only help with questions about English Wikipedia! |
IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. There are several different chat rooms available for Wikipedia. #wikipedia-en-help connect is the primary channel for both new and experienced editors seeking real-time web-based help on using and editing the English Wikipedia. Unlike #wikipedia connect and #wikipedia-en connect, Wikipedia's more central channels, #wikipedia-en-help is specifically oriented to help new users. Regular members of the channel, "helpers" are voiced (the IRC channel mode +v), to distinguish the helpers from those requesting help.
Because #wikipedia-en-help is specifically designed for helping (primarily, but not limited to) our newest users – an IRC equivalent to Wikipedia:Teahouse – it is important that helpers be patient, friendly and understanding. The range of questions is usually rather straightforward (see #Dealing with common queries), but the majority of people who come to the channel for help do not always know how the channel works. Therefore, channel conduct should reflect this. "Noise" (excessive off-topic chatter) should be moved to another channel, for example #wikimedia-social connect or ##chat connect, especially when there are users requesting or receiving help. However, it is important to remember that greetings and minor off-topic remarks while people aren't being assisted are perfectly acceptable. If an extended conversation is conflicting with user(s) requesting help, they should be asked politely to move it elsewhere.
Channel operation requires that users of the channel follow guidelines in keeping the purpose of #wikipedia-en-help focused on helping users of Wikipedia. A few basic guidelines are enumerated as follows:
Voiced (+v) channel members provide assistance to those who need help. A user may request to be voiced if they meet the following qualifications:
It is expected that only experienced and voiced users should attempt to provide help and assistance to users. Please note that due to the "live" nature of IRC, helping on IRC is markedly different from helping on-wiki. If you are interested in helping, please ask for assistance from current helpers.
Inappropriate conduct, including poor and incorrect answers or incivility, may lead to the removal of voice and the expectation that the user stop trying to help other users. Failure to do so, or further inappropriate conduct, may result in removal from the channel.
Users who are unvoiced, or are currently blocked and/or banned from English Wikipedia will not be permitted to help or idle in the channel.
Voicing and verification is done through cloaking, described at m:IRC/Cloaks.
Helpmebot is the channel's bot. As well as reporting which users on-wiki need help and welcome users to the channel, it allows for pulling information back about a specific user, specific page, or even a stored bit of text.
Common commands for Helpmebot are:
!helper
- Pokes a helper on the channel for help.!link
- When a message appears saying a user needs help typing this command will provide a link to the userpage of the user requesting help:
!link [[Wikipedia:IRC]]
will make the bot say a link to
Wikipedia:IRC!link
by itself after saying a link will make the bot say a link to the page you just mentioned:<MrBean> For instance, see [[WP:GNG]]
<MrBean> !link
<Helpmebot> /info/en/?search=Wikipedia:GNG
!time
- Display the current date and time in
UTC!commands
- Displays a link (
https://helpmebot.org.uk/commands) to the list of Helpmebot commandsThe channel is managed by a group of experienced volunteers, most of whom are administrators on the English Wikipedia. They all have the technical ability to silence, remove and ban abusive users from the channel, with some able to perform channel maintenance.
If you encounter excess incivility, trolling or spam, type !ops in the channel or ask in #wikimedia-ops connect. [1] If it looks possible, try to catalyse first.
(Founder flags +AFRVefiorstv)
Master IRC nick | Username |
---|---|
Az1568 | Az1568 |
stwalkerster | Stwalkerster |
foks | Fox |
Earwig | The Earwig |
(AccessMod flags +ARVefiorstv)
Master IRC nick | Username |
---|---|
(Op flags +AViortv)
To get a channel operator (e.g. if there is a
troll in the channel, or someone is being offensive), type !ops to get attention.
Master IRC nick | Username |
---|---|
*!*@libera/staff* | — |
AmandaNP | AmandaNP |
bradv | Bradv |
c | Charitwo |
FastLizard4 | FastLizard4 |
jmcgnh | Jmcgnh |
NotASpy | Nick |
Oshwah | Oshwah |
Praxidicae | Praxidicae |
Primefac | Primefac |
Scottyoak | Scottyoak2 |
sqldb | SQL |
Tamzin | Tamzin |
TheresNoTime | TheresNoTime |
Vermont | Vermont |
Note that some channel bots also hold channel operator privileges.
Master IRC nick | Username | Flags |
---|---|---|
Helpmebot | Helpmebot | +RVeiov |
wmopbot | wmopbot | +AViortv (Op) |
ozone | ozone | +AOViov |
litharge | litharge | +AViov |
Voicing means that you are given the mode "+v" in the channel. This is used to help separate the helpers from the helpees. Therefore, when you join the channel, all helpers will be voiced.
For those users that have a cloak affiliated with the projects (wikipedia/*, wikimedia/*, etc.) will be automatically voiced when they join the channel.
If you are an IRC user who has a Wikipedia or other Wikimedia-related cloak, then you will automatically be given voice in the channel. This is because due to the requirements for cloak requests, it is automatically presumed that you can be trusted to be a helper providing useful information to newbies.
The requirements for cloaks are:
For more information and cloaks, and instructions on how to request a cloak, please visit: m:IRC/Cloaks#Obtaining_a_cloak.
If a user is disruptive, trollish or spams the channel, they may be "quieted", which means that they can still remain in the channel, but will not be able to speak, or, for more serious cases, they may be "banned" from the channel for a specified period of time.
Efforts should be taken to speak to the user, politely informing them to cease their disruptive behaviour, usually in PM. This is often far more effective than taking operator action immediately, and is especially useful in cooling a heated situation. Avoid threats, and do not counter abusive comments with more abusive comments; this does nothing to aid any situation. If that fails, and the user continues disrupting the channel, operator intervention may be required at the op's discretion.
Discussion among other operators is often very useful. Encourage ops to join #wikimedia-ops connect if you would like a second opinion (many may already be idling there).
When banned from a channel (+b), the user will not be able to rejoin the channel. Banning will not necessarily solve the problem, and in some cases will only inflame the situation. Thus, this should only be used in exceptional circumstances—join/part flooders, or users with connection issues who are flooding the channel. However, channel operators should use their own judgement when dealing with disruptive users; there may be circumstances where banning is the best course of action. Misuse or abuse of ops may result in removal at the discretion of the channel contacts.
Please note that if a user is quietened and they have the auto-voice (+V) flag, then this should be removed for the duration of their quiet. Otherwise ban evasion may occur, which will result in the user becoming completely banned for the channel for a time determined by of the channel operators.
There is consensus [2] to use Wikipedia:IRC help disclaimer when linking to the help channel because using a more direct link, like one given by the {{ IRC}} template, does not sufficiently inform users of how IPs are handled on IRC.
Insert appropriate links here, e.g. to help desk etc.