>>I just heard about that today. We're working on it to try to see why using standard IRC is not working. Of course, it's always funny to see reaction as if it was intentional. It shouldn't be long before we find the reason...
>
>It's believed to be intentional because of all of the changes that happened at once. The addition of a bot in every thread that prevents up from having OP status. The addition of several custom modes to users. The editing of our host names upon connection. The removal of the ability of us to create our own channels. The fact that we can't connect via other IRC clients.
>It isn't as if the server hiccupped and went down. Someone has attempted (succeeded) in preventing those who use the server all the time from moderating it.

Well, of course, it was done by a ghost. We worked on it last night. Whenever we apply changes, we try to do them in one batch in order to avoid interruptions. The justification of a BOT is to lock channels as per the UT forum definitions and to make sure all the channels stay open even if no one is in there. Pretty standard configuration form most of the IRC servers.

As for creating your own channels, it pretty must goes as per the last paragraph. We sychronize the IRC channels with the UT forums which is pretty normal and justified.

As for the IRC client, we're working on it. As mentioned, it was a surprise to us as well and, as in most cases, we always like it when someone advise us by email first so we can react faster.