freenode
 freenode |
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| Founded: | 1995, as irc.linpeople.org |
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| Geographic Location(s): | Australia Europe United States |
| Based in: | United Kingdom |
| Executive Board: | Christel Dahlskjaer |
| Website URL: | www.freenode.net |
| Primary DNS: | chat.freenode.net |
| Average Users: | 37,000 - 47,000 |
| Average Channels: | 16,000 - 18,000 |
| Average Servers: | 12 |
| Content/Subject: | Public/Unrestricted |
freenode, formerly known as Open Projects Network, is a popular IRC network used to discuss peer-directed projects.[1] Their servers are all accessible from the domain name chat.freenode.net, which sends the users to the server in rotation that is best able to accept new connections.[2] freenode is the largest FOSS IRC network in existence, encompassing more than 50,000 users and 10,000 channels.[3]
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freenode began as a 4-person GNU/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. The OpenProjects.net domain was later put up for sale on eBay,[4] but did not sell.
- On June 24, 2006, a user with the nickname "ratbert" (actually one of lilo's services-linked nicknames) gained the network privileges of Rob Levin (lilo) and took control of the network. It is likely that approximately 25 user passwords were stolen as a result.[5] This user proceeded to k-line many freenode staff members, and most freenode servers subsequently went down for several hours.[6][7][8][9]
- freenode administrator Robert Levin, who used the IRC nick lilo, died on Saturday, September 16, 2006.[10][11] His death was caused by head injuries sustained in a hit and run collision while riding his bicycle on September 12. He fell into a coma at the scene and did not regain consciousness.
- ^ Mutton, Paul. IRC Hacks: 100 Industrial-Strength Tips & Tools. Cambridge: O'Reilly Media 2004. ISBN 0-596-00687-X
- ^ About freenode: IRC Servers
- ^ Network statistics over the last two weeks
- ^ http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/01/29/buy_a_piece_of_net/
- ^ freenode Network Hijacked, Passwords Compromised?
- ^ Regular Ramblings
- ^ The Liberation of freenode, Part 12 » Ad Terras Per Aspera
- ^ The Liberation of freenode, Part 13 » Ad Terras Per Aspera
- ^ [1] The Inquirer article about NickServ hack
- ^ "freenode news: 16 September 2006", freenode (September 16, 2006).
- ^ Chatmag News (2006-09-21). "Robert Levin Death Confirmed by Houston Police, other Area Sources.". Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
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