Power levels vary, for mods and Admins. The way it works, is there is a scale, 1 to 500, of power. 500 has absolute control of the channel. 350 and above can change the Topic (a message anyone who joins the specific channels can see). 200 and above can use "setinfo"'s (a message their IRC client will send out whenever they join the channel).
Ex: (this is from my logging onto a different IRC server this morning. It's actually a channel devoted to CC players that also play another MMO game.)
[12:12]
* Now talking in #kitchen[12:12]
* Topic is 'ConquerClub Doubles tournament soon, looking for Co-Host (FF (ff theme too =D)) | For non-premium bumfucks - viewtopic.php?f=90&t=73183 | Frozen_flame, lax, we has Team Bewbiez Sigs now
'[12:12]
* Set by ChanServ on Tue Dec 30 03:05:17[12:12]
* ChanServ sets mode: +o Kotaro[12:12]
<ChanServ> [Kotaro] ‹babybug1976› he licks, then eats ‹babybug1976› sounds like right order to me || [23:25] <laxguy> im lazy [23:26] <laxguy> and stupid
Highlighted in blue is the channel name. Every channel has number infront of it, I'm not quite sure why.
In red is the topic. That's what can be set by Admins, Moderators, anyone who has power in the channel. In this specific channel, that is me, but w/e.
In Green is who set the channels topic. I always use the ChanServ, which is an anti-flood bot that comes with every IRC channel, and is the thing that provides the power for the channels. ChanServ is required to have power in a channel; and ChanServ will only join a registered channel. Once in, it stays until the channel is unregistered.
In cyan is my "setinfo". It's a funny quote, I know. Anyways, the idea of a setinfo is just a funny little quirk that can be seen by anyone when that person comes in.
Specific channels can be registered, i.e., Social and Callouts, and maybe a Flame Wars place that people can go to fight. One of the main reasons I'm suggesting this program, is for Clan Channels purposes. With a new system in place, Clans could set up channels, where the leader is given the 500 power. With that, they can make their Clan Chat public, and just exclude people who harass/annoy the clan, or they can make it private, and use it just for themselves. They can ALSO change it back and forth, so it can be a public area oneday, and another, if they need to meet and discuss something, or just want a break from the public, they make it private again.
NOW, as for Chat names. I see how it could be a problem with people pretending to be someone else. HOWEVER. The way IRC works is, when you register for the server, you choose a specific authorization, or "auth", name. Once made, it assigns you a host mask. Now, at this point, you can either choose to put the mask on:
Example: (My current hostmask for this server I'm on)
[12:12] -AuthServ- I recognize you.
-
Kotaro.user.OGameNet is now your hidden host
Or, they can choose to leave their IP visible. Either way, there is no changing the hostmask, and if they choose to change their IP, well, than they can create multi's without getting busted, and a chat name won't matter. A hostmask can always be checked, so if someone is abusing chat, or not acting like themselves, a simple command, such as "/whois" will reveal their information. An example of this:
[12:14] Kotaro: /whois lax
-
lax is
lackzguy@laxguy.user.OGameNet * john smith
lax on @#kitchen
lax using *.OGameNet.net OGameNet IRC
lax is logged in as laxguy
lax End of /WHOIS list.
-
Thus, I can easily identify anyone in my channel, and, if they're someone they don't appear to be, they can be banned from the channel; either a time ban, a kick, or a kickban. Hostmasks can be banned, stopping the IP from ever rejoining the channel. And so on.