In any situation you'll find, there are normally a few things that are expected. The rules of this channel are not set in stone, but should generally be adhered to. The Operators of this channel know, follow, and enforce these rules. They are all about courtesy and sensible behaviour.
PLEASE no topic vipers. If you want a topic, bring one up, but don't try to leech one out of the crowd. We're here to chat with people that have a common interest -- the occult -- not teach on a schedule or always occupy ourselves with mysticism. It's a common saying in Christian circles "He was so heavenly-minded he was no earthly good". We all exist in mortal flesh, and there are real people with social lives, friends, and other interests behind every nickname. I can not emphasise this enough, it seems: We are NOT here to talk about occult 24/7. If you want an occult topic, it is YOUR responsiblity to think of one and bring it up. There is also a !topic trigger in the channel bot, Arbiter, for cases where the room goes dead for lack of topic.
The pathetic nature of some of the "intellectuals" that visit IRC rooms looking for information is appalling. If you can not bear with idle chat sometimes, and chat which is occasionally far off topic, get a clue and go to the local university library. You will never be able to find the deep truths of anything if you're browsing around chatrooms. Go to an academic library if we're not hardcore enough for you, or surprise yourself and actually try doing it to find out. This should not be mistaken to say we don't know our stuff in here, but we're not topic generators nor are we single-minded. Other topics of equal interest come up, and it will not be repressed by the Operators of this room.
Banned Chat Topics:Sex or Excessive Sexuality, Excessive/Non-Topical Drug Chat, Hacking, or any Suffrage Movements. In #occult_knowledge we try to keep it "Rated R", if that's any indication of the channel's environment. Not PG, not X -- just R. This may be occasionally bent if the situation warrants it, but keep that kind of thing to a minimum.
If you disagree with a ban, talk to the banning Op about it politely. Please keep in mind: Following up a recent kickban with insults to the operators does not help you get off the ban list.
Absolutely no inviting or channel name-dropping. There is an instant kick/ban for that, and possible akick depending on the circumstances. The legitimate reasons for name-dropping are very few and very very far between.
If you must, attack the idea -- never the person; take personal fights in private.
Do not use the "you are close-minded" or "LOL You are SO stupid" approach when discussing something. Actually, in general, it's far better to avoid LOL at all, or even lol cause it's just offensive in most non-casual circumstances. Back yourself up with facts, dates, times, sources, and common sense. Don't use discipline-specific language/terms or intimidation techniques to try to push a point.
Do not use /ignore on channel text in #occult_knowledge to solve a dispute (though do as you wish with queries, notices, CTCP, msg, etc). In the channel, either see it and ignore it, or have an Op ban the offender for being insulting. If people use /ignore to solve this kind of thing it makes carrying on a normal conversation very hard, as certain lines are missed because this person is angry at that person... etc.
Hold idle conversation if a real topic is introduced, and don't be afraid to ask questions in the channel. It's preferred they are asked there. (And you don't need to ask to ask. Just say what's on your mind.)
Do NOT persecute the Christians. They have a place in our realm as well.
Just for general courtesy's sake, try to avoid "ratspeak" (i.e. how r u?) and "l33t" (i.e. y0, l8r, and any other l33t hax0r variant).
Another point of standard conduct is the practice of Op Begging. Please don't ask for Ops or AOp/SOp. It is frowned upon and will usually damage your future chances of getting AOps. AOps are appointed by the SOps or Founder based only on your contributive efforts to the channel, your knowledge, your personality, and your maturity in behaviour.
Lastly, there's the common stuff: Racism, excessive sarcasm, sexism, yadda yadda yah. It's up to the discretion of the Ops anyways, so be very sure you're approaching a subject in a cautious and rational way if you intend on stepping into such areas.
