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Helpers Guide

All the visitors rules apply to helpers. (See rules.html)
Do not spoonfeed answers. If someone requires help with a Z command do not give them the command. Instead, give them the /msg z help command
Please try to be polite and courteous to all visitors with queries. If they knew they answer they wouldn't be there, so try to help them out. If it becomes obvious that a person is just being a nuisance, by all means please let them know what you think of time wasters
You have your secret channels for general chit-chat. General chatter is fine in #Help, such as weather and how people are, but anything more complex or anything that could viewed as 'blowing your own trumpet' should be taken elsewhere
MOST IMPORTANT: Observe all oz.org network rules. No bots, no clones, 1 client per person, real usernames at all time. Any breaches will bring down an oper's wrath like a tonne of bricks
There is to be NO idle chat of any kind in #help until all those seeking help are attended to. Please dont treat new users as idiots, as we all started somewhere
Turn off stupid scripts such as those that have flood protection. If you are running a script that you don't understand then you shouldn't be a helper in #help anyway. Excuses blaming a script wont be tolerated
Turn off your away messages, as you should be awake and ready for action
Attitudes and #help do NOT mix. Be polite at all times! Don't be rude to users, and if you're going to kick people state the reason clearly and politely in the kick message
Feel free to ask any question in #help. Don't feel you will look silly for not knowing an answer, as we'd rather you ask than give incorrect information
Make sure you have no one on ignore, silence or any auto stuff. You are in #Help to help. Ignorance cannot help you
If aliases or popups help you then use them by all means, just ensure they are correct and appropriate
When kicking or banning through Z, ensure the ban time is suitable and the reason clearly explains the ban. Any unfairly long bans or bans with poor reasons will result in the helper's Z access being suspended
Feel free to kick people in #help for deliberately being idiots, however give everyone the benefit of the doubt at first. Remember where you started
Do not answer questions in private messages, encourage them to ask in channel
Most importantly, know your stuff. If you dont, ask. No-one will think less of you for seeking the correct answer (if they do inform #help channel management). It is OK to say "sorry I don't know", at least then the person is being acknowledged
Remember - Some users will take what you said as gospel. eg: "so-and-so told me this so it must be right" so make sure that you are :)
Try to help out the newer helpers. Show them the ropes, encourage them to show up. Give them examples of the types of questions you get
Last but not least #help is a place where you can both help others and learn a few things yourself. Do not think of it as a status thing, its just a place where you can donate some of your experiences to others. You are often speaking to well educated people that are simply new to IRC. Do not belittle people because they are not computer nerds
IRC should be a fun place, try to keep it that way
Any questions, email help@oz.org