***#StarChat Channel Rules Revised Edition***

#StarChat is a channel registered for the HELPING of StarChats' users. USERS take PRIORITY over any other StarChat business, provided they ask for help in a civilized manner.

Please consider the fact that some users may not be aware of our rules, or may have a hard time speaking English, may be excited from something that has happened to them.

If the user is of spanish descent you can help them the best you can or find an op that speaks spanish. You can also check the channel #Starchat_Ayuda to see if there's someone there who can help.. if so, you may direct them there.

Users should always be treated with dignity and respect unless they are obviously causing trouble. ANY abuse from a user in #Starchat can result in the user being pulled/banned from the channel (or klined if the abuse is severe and/or ongoing)

When a user enters the channel for assistance, all chatting should CEASE until that user or users have been helped and exited the channel, also, all users should be greeted as soon as they enter..

The "FIRST" person to greet that user may ask if there is anything that they can help that user with. Please, let's limit it to the (first 3-4 helpers) to greet the user.. 20 greetings for one user isn't really being helpful. IMPORTANT! If you are already helping someone - please finish with that user first before helping another.

Give the user time to respond, before asking if they need help.

This helps to make the channel appear calm and warm, which in turn helps the user to relax. Try to remember when you, yourself were a newbie and everything was foreign and confusing, when lines go flying by on the users screen it only adds to that confusion.

Receiving many, yet slightly differing answers from different helpers only adds to a user's confusion, therefore, only one chanop/helper should help a user at a time. (use /ov msgs if you feel the need to help another op or helper)

Please do not OVER-USE /ov as it clutters up the channel, and makes it confusing for everyone.

Be sure to use the user's nick when giving directions when there are others in the help room getting help. This will cut down on the confusion.

Don't 'upstage' or 'show off' in front of the rest of the chan to prove you know more than someone else. #StarChat is for HELPING users not to prove how smart YOU are. We're all trying to achieve the same end, helping the USER.

Both Opers and helpers alike should let others know if they are taking a user to private message.

This will save people having to ask and also will help prevent other opers from thinking that the user has been ignored and jumping in offering help.

***Channel Atmosphere ***

The channel should stay calm and professional. Always try to keep the channel calm and relaxed, this isn't a race. You'll also find that when you're relaxed you'll do better.

As a result the user will be more apt to be calm and when the channel is calm, information can be exchanged more efficiently.

Chanops can oversee to it that no one idles in #StarChat. Please be considerate if you feel the need to remove an idle oper from the channel. Silently parting them is always the best way to go. Kicking an op from the channel does not look good in front of users.

The same rule basically applies to users as well. It is better to part them from the channel rather than to kick them, and where possible, message them first explaining the rules and ask them to /part.

"Fifteen" minutes is enough to allow before investigating a suspected idler. You'll find that especially at times when the channel accumulates lots of people that the anti-idle rule will be strictly enforced.

I want to strongly encourage you to NOT take a user to PM unless absolutely necessary while you're a Helper, ok?

***Channel Operators ***

Chanops will run the channel and will oversee all helping that goes on in the channel.

I realize you're still at the Helper stage, but I think it's important for you to know how the channel is run :-)

If a chanop sees that a helper isn't giving out correct information, then they are to either /msg them and help to them get the helper back on the right track or offer to step in to help correct. (/ov)

Do NOT blatantly tell people what they're doing is wrong in channel. No one likes to get put down, advise them of their mistake in private and allow them to correct it, after all, they're trying to help!

Remember from before, that it is best when only one person helps a user at a time. Having three separate and sometimes different answers on the screen can be confusing.

This rule applies to ALL, chanops and helpers alike. Chanops who abuse their privileges can/will lose their ops.

In the rare cases ;) where you might not immediately know the answer to a user's question because you need more information or have to check your answer first...

It is best to at least acknowledge the users question. You can honestly say something like: "Hang on, I need to check something" or "ok, lemme look. brb"

The important thing here is that you "let them know" you are working on finding an answer to their question. Don't just leave them hanging so they wonder if anyone is going to answer them.

As to helping out in #StarChat. It is a TEAM effort, it is important to learn how to work together as one :)

This means concretely that you are being POLITE to EVERYONE, even when someone gets annoying.

If they get too far out of hand, +b them, then /msg them and ask them to please behave. If they don't, then they may be kicked as well.

See to it that ALL users have been helped and are no longer needing assistance.

There will be NO auto-greets or popup scripts in #StarChat. If a user comes in with one, ask them to please turn it off and assist them if necessary.

If they don't, you may kick and/or ban them. Also No wavs, midis, Mp3s, nor ASCII works of art are allowed.

If you're the last chanop left in the channel and decide that you have to leave, please find another chanop to come and sit in the channel. This may be done using a globops to the other IRCops online.

Don't wait till the last second, if you know you must leave at a certain time, use your best judgment as when to /globops for help.

***Helpers ***

Regular users which are willing to assist other users and have proven themselves to be mature and reliable may receive "helper" status in #StarChat.

As helpers, just like all StarChat IRC Operators, are expected to be at home with StarChats regulations and they will be asked to attend StarChat Policy class.

In policy class they will receive training in our policies and are tested on their knowledge of them.

When someone is made into a helper they'll receive a voice (+v) in the channel so they are recognized as such.

**Helpers (+v) "should" try to do all of their helping in channel so that their answers may be monitored by a chanop.

If a helper says something incorrect, then a Chanop is to correct the helper via /msg or /ov..

If the helper finds that the question isn't one that he/she is familiar with, then they may ask for help or pass the question onto someone who does know.

It is then up to a chanop to assist the user. Please..dont just sit there quiet while the user waits, if you don't know something..ask for help!

The key here is to get the user helped out so they may enjoy the best the network has to offer, this means, prompt, courteous and correct help so the user can be on their way :)

If no one knows the answer, then a /globops may be sent out to other IRCops online or you can /ns listops and /msg someone if their assistance is required.

Please choose your words carefully, StarChat is one of the best networks that IRC has to offer, so let's look and act professional out there!

These rules are written to give #StarChat a level a cut above the norm in order to help the user get prompt, correct assistance. This is one of the keys to making our network grow stronger :)

We kindly ask that whilst observing/helping in #starchat that you part all other channels, apart from #starchat and #helpers. This is for your benefit so as you can concentrate on what goes on in #starchat

If you need an exception made, please get with the team leader - Luverly.

Please check the Helper forum every day at: http://helpers.starchat.net

Thank you very much for being a part of the StarChat help team, and welcome :)