Hello again everyone.
It seems that no matter how much correspondance is sent to Michel, Evan, or whoever this issue gets passed to, nothing is ever getting done. We have the same discussions with Evan and Michel over and over again, and every point we make is being ignored. The only thing they want is a quick and easy way out that doesn't involve any of us - unless of course if you count Evan's numerous requests for me to send him the information to configure the IRC server. I don't remember being made a SysOp. I'm sure I know who would get the credit for that. RTFM. Evan's response to that was "there aren't any". We don't even own the software and we have all the docs on the IRC server AND the bot they are running. Plus, there is an infinate amount of online help on the company's website.
The need for a manager was once again demonstrated tonite during Craig's presentation when a lack of moderation let anyone talk at will, flooding the channel with chatter and join/leave messages from someone who obviously had less of an idea what was going on that the "managers" of this service. When I pointed these things out to Evan (who was there), his response was "I didn't notice".
I tried to speak with Evan about these issues again after the meeting, but he merely disconnected without discussing anything with me (after he told me to just send him what he needed, again).
To tell you the truth, this misconfigured server is a danger to us all. It poses a liability to the UT to be hacked and any information stored on it compromised. I can intellectually demonstrate this to anyone who thinks differently, but will not tell you how to do it "for educational purposes".

The time for the political bullshit is through. You can't do business like this, and the UT is a business. If you are going to provide this service, manage it or get out of the way. Yes, it is your system, but when is the last time anyone has seen Evan or Michel there providing assitance or maintaining order? Just weeks ago no one had a problem with the self-management that we provided. We have been given the run around more times than I can remember. Michel and Evan: I told you that I would show you how to setup an IRC server correctly, but I am not about to just write a config file and give it to you blindly. To the rest of the UT: If you so desire, you may obtain realtime help on the same subjects as here over IRC at www.mind.ilstu.edu on #VisualFoxPro. You will find us there continuing to provide the same help that we have on the UT IRC server, and I promise that you will not have to put up with the lame harrassment and general chaos that you find on the UT IRC server.