Freenode

Infobox_irc

|center
name = freenode
based_in = Houston, Texas
main_content = Public/Unrestricted
founded_on = 1995, as irc.linpeople.org
executive_board = Christel Dahlskjaer
located_in = Australia
Europe
United States
website_url = [http://www.freenode.net www.freenode.net]
primary_dns = [irc://chat.freenode.net chat.freenode.net]
average_users = [http://irc.netsplit.de/networks/details.php.en?net=freenode&submenu=weeks 37,000 - 47,000]
average_channels = [http://irc.netsplit.de/networks/details.php.en?net=freenode&submenu=weeks 16,000 - 18,000]
average_servers = [http://irc.netsplit.de/networks/details.php.en?net=freenode&submenu=weeks 12]

freenode, formerly known as Open Projects Network, is a popular IRC network used to discuss peer-directed projects. [Mutton, Paul. "IRC Hacks: 100 Industrial-Strength Tips & Tools". Cambridge: O'Reilly Media 2004. ISBN 0-596-00687-X] Their servers are all accessible from the domain name [irc://irc.freenode.net irc.freenode.net] , which sends the users to the server in rotation that is best able to accept new connections. [ [http://freenode.net/irc_servers.shtml About freenode: IRC Servers ] ]

History

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,http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/01/29/buy_a_piece_of_net/] but did not sell.

Today

freenode is the largest FOSS IRC network in existence, encompassing more than 50,000 users and 10,000 channels. [ [http://irc.netsplit.de/networks/details.php.en?net=freenode&submenu=weeks Network statistics over the last two weeks] ]

Controversy

* Freenode often solicits for donationFact|date=June 2008 citing that the PDPC is a IRS 501(c)(3) exempt organization. However, it is criticized for soliciting for much larger amounts of money than it could possibly need.Fact|date=September 2008 Close friends of founder Rob Levin have admitted that most of the donations have gone to fund nothing more than Rob Levin's rent and food, and it was noted in the records for the PDPC's funds (just before they were no longer available), the PDPC fund was used to pay Rob Levin's $228.36 cell phone bill.

Major events

* 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. [ [http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=189470&cid=15603568 Freenode Network Hijacked, Passwords Compromised? ] ] This user proceeded to k-line many freenode staff members, and most freenode servers subsequently went down for several hours. [ [http://tgmandry.blogspot.com/2006/06/worlds-largest-foss-irc-network.html Regular Ramblings ] ] [ [http://www.adterrasperaspera.com/blog/2006/06/25/the-liberation-of-freenode-part-12/ The Liberation of Freenode, Part 12 » Ad Terras Per Aspera ] ] [ [http://www.adterrasperaspera.com/blog/2006/06/28/the-liberation-of-freenode-part-13/ The Liberation of Freenode, Part 13 » Ad Terras Per Aspera ] ] [ [http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=32634] The Inquirer article about NickServ hack]

* Freenode administrator Robert Levin, who used the IRC nick lilo, died on Saturday, September 16, 2006.cite news|url=http://freenode.net/news-2006-09-16.shtml
publisher=Freenode
title=freenode news: 16 September 2006
date=September 16 2006] [cite web|url=http://www.chatmag.com/news/092106_levin_death_confirmed.html|title=Robert Levin Death Confirmed by Houston Police, other Area Sources.|accessdate=2007-03-30|author=Chatmag News|date=2006-09-21] 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.

References

ee also

*Peer-Directed Projects Center

External links

* [http://www.freenode.net freenode's website]
* [http://blog.freenode.net/ official freenode blog]
* [irc://irc.freenode.net/ irc.freenode.net]