Hi,

Is there an offical IRC channel for asking questions about the FreePascal compiler ?

I tried asking questions in #fpc on Libera Chat, but when I refused to upload the Pascal source code I was working with to a public place (since it is proprietary), I got banned from the channel by user "Joanna", with the reason that I should use the "forums" instead.

Regards,
Jacob

The #fpc on Libera chat is the only 'official' chat that I am aware of.

It seems a bit strange that you would be banned for refusing to share source code which is proprietary. I don't know who uses the nick Joanna, so I can't say whether it is someone of the FPC team that banned you.

Michael.

Hi Michael,

Ok, maybe this "Joanna" is on this mailing list and would care to elaborate more why I got banned ?

The same "Joanna" also kicked me out of the channel a couple of days ago with the reason that "we don't allow lurkers", since I was inactive in the chat.

Regards,
Jacob

On 2023-04-13 11:23, Jacob Kroon via fpc-pascal wrote:

Hi Jacob,

.
.

Just FYI - I don't see anybody having name "Joanna" among people subscribed to this mailing list, and nobody like that has been considerably active here in the last years as far as my memory serves correctly. Obviously, the address and/or name may be completely different from the IRC nickname, thus it doesn't mean that you wouldn't get the response here for sure. I can't check the list of people subscribed to FPC forum, the person may be active there.

Tomas
(one of FPC mailing list moderators)

On Thu, Apr 13, 2023 at 11:39 AM Tomas Hajny via fpc-pascal <

Most probably user Joanna on the Lazarus/FPC forum: https://forum.lazarus.freepascal.org/index.php?action=profile;area=summary;u=64282

Hi Tomas,

On 4/13/23 11:39, Tomas Hajny via fpc-pascal wrote:

<cut>

Thanks for checking, but well, I just got contacted by "Joanna" privately on IRC, this is the chatlog:

Now I'm also banned from #lazarus, the reason is "harrassment by pm".

I ask the #fpc Libera.Chat IRC administrators (if they are listening here) to revoke channel operator status for user "Joanna".

Regards,
Jacob

Hi,

I'm now also banned from #pascal, Libera.Chat, reason "trolling".

*sigh*

/Jacob

I bet this Joanna character is an active member of her Homeowners Association.

I verified that there is an operator named Joanna on #fpc on Libera.Chat.

The power-hungry kind of behavior exhibited by Joanna is bad for the channel and therefore bad for the project. In another post Jacob mentioned that Joanna had kicked him from several other channels on which he had done nothing. This is inexcusable. I assume now that I've written this I'll meet the same fate. I'm rethinking my use of FPC and Lazarus. What good is software if you can't get support?

SteveT

Jacob Kroon via fpc-pascal said on Thu, 13 Apr 2023 12:53:31 +0200

Op 13-04-2023 om 12:53 schreef Jacob Kroon via fpc-pascal:

Thanks for checking, but well, I just got contacted by "Joanna" privately on IRC, this is the chatlog:

The following topic might be of interest. You can view it without registering.
https://forum.lazarus.freepascal.org/index.php/topic,61328.0.html

There are more people who have the same problem with that IRC channel(s) and with 'Joanna'.
Especially the strict rules that are enforced.
(your chatlog doesn't stand alone, there are also multiple topics on the forum about this, besides the link given above.)

BTW. That IRC channel is not an official FPC/Lazarus channel. (I think 'Joanna' is the founder of the channel and sole moderator there.)

I suggest to subscribe to the Lazarus/ Fpc forum. It’s very easy. You don’t have to ask questions if you don’t want, and you can still learn a lot from all questions and answers posted. And no one is horassing anyone…

https://forum.lazarus.freepascal.org/index.php?action=forum

Cheers
J
________________________________
Van: fpc-pascal namens Steve Litt via fpc-pascal
Verzonden: Thursday, April 13, 2023 1:28:35 PM
Aan:
CC: Steve Litt
Onderwerp: Re: [fpc-pascal] IRC channel for FreePascal support ?

I bet this Joanna character is an active member of her Homeowners Association.

I verified that there is an operator named Joanna on #fpc on Libera.Chat.

The power-hungry kind of behavior exhibited by Joanna is bad for the channel and therefore bad for the project. In another post Jacob mentioned that Joanna had kicked him from several other channels on which he had done nothing. This is inexcusable. I assume now that I've written this I'll meet the same fate. I'm rethinking my use of FPC and Lazarus. What good is software if you can't get support?

SteveT

Jacob Kroon via fpc-pascal said on Thu, 13 Apr 2023 12:53:31 +0200

Jacob Kroon via fpc-pascal schrieb am
Do., 13. Apr. 2023, 12:53:

I ask the #fpc Libera.Chat IRC administrators (if they are listening here) to revoke channel operator status for user "Joanna".

I've already seen from others that Joanna has a rather dictatorship-like approach to her moderation.

Problem is none of us other devs have a real interest anymore in IRC since the move from freenode.

So suggested locations for support are the mailing lists and the forum.

Regards,
Sven

Hi Sven,

Ok, as long as people are aware of the fact that this is going on, I feel I've done what I can to fulfill my responsibilities.

I'll stick to using the mailing list only then.

Regards,
Jacob

#fpc and #lazarus were the official channels in the freenode times. After freenode got abandoned, some active users started those channels on libera. Soon after that I registered #lazarus as the official channel for the lazarus project. No registration is done for the fpc channel (yet) As of today, Joanna is not a channel operator anymore on the lazarus channel. She has been warned that the same could happen for the fpc channel.

Marc

I got banned for replying, "It's none of your concern." when Joanna asked me what I was using FPC for... So yeah. Little Tin Hitler... *sigh*

I *think* There's a FreePascal Discord out there somewhere, but I can't check right now, sorry.

g.

Steve Litt wrote

I bet this Joanna character is an active member of her Homeowners Association.

If we can reach the server admin, force a nick change to "Joanna <Karen>" *rofl*

g.

Hi,

Can we keep this discussion civil? Personal attacks and ridiculing someone is not the way to deal with disagreements.

Charlie

Ps: also, IRC drama on a mailing list about a Pascal compiler like it's 1998! Thanks for making me feel young again. :)

But it IS the IRC way. Just trying to stay era-appropriate. ;)

g.

Fits, to how I remember the course of action.

All this is completely in line with my past experience with Joanna on #fpc during freenode times. I withdrew from the channels completely, because of her activities. Therefore, I strongly suggest action regarding her operator status of the fpc channel on libera.chat. Alternatively, ask for the removal of the “official” status and a corresponding disclaimer or the channel altogether. This recent example shows, that her self-centered and dictatorial actions as operator harm fpc more than fpc benefits from her activities.

Regards - Michael.

Hi,
 
I'm almost fourteen years on the forum and a few years less on mailing lists and I never had a single problem. I don't attend IRC so I can't say what's wrong there. OTOH I read Joanna's comments on the forum and they are OK (to the topic; non conflict).  
V.
 
______________________________________________________________

...

All this is completely in line with my past experience with Joanna on #fpc during freenode times. I withdrew from the channels completely, because of her activities. Therefore, I strongly suggest action regarding her operator status of the fpc channel on libera.chat. Alternatively, ask for the removal of the “official” status and a corresponding disclaimer or the channel altogether. This recent example shows, that her self-centered and dictatorial actions as operator harm fpc more than fpc benefits from her activities.

Regards - Michael.

On 13 April 2023 22:08:58 +0200, "Vojtěch Čihák via fpc-pascal" wrote:

Hi,

I'm almost fourteen years on the forum and a few years less on mailing lists and I never had a single problem. I don't attend IRC so I can't say what's wrong there. OTOH I read Joanna's comments on the forum and they are OK (to the topic; non conflict).

I've been contacted by Joanna using a private message on the forum. Apparently, she (assuming it's a female name) tries to do her best to manage the channel and protect it from trolls, etc. I'll try to clarify to her why I believe that her actions don't match her intents in at least some cases.

Tomas.

Karoly Balogh via fpc-pascal said on Thu, 13 Apr 2023 16:00:46 +0200 (CEST)

Can we keep this discussion civil? Personal attacks and ridiculing someone is not the way to deal with disagreements. Charlie

Sorry. From now on I'll conform with the preceding.

SteveT

Steve Litt
Autumn 2022 featured book: Thriving in Tough Times http://www.troubleshooters.com/bookstore/thrive.htm

I've been contacted as well by email.

I received a similar story, and after reading it I believe she (she confirmed it is a female name) is sincere in her wish to keep the channel free from trolls, so it appears to me (as an outsider, I am not on IRC) she is simply a little overzealous in her moderation activity.

I am not an IRC user, so I'll let Tomas handle the rest of the story.

Michael.

On 2023-04-14 09:43, Michael Van Canneyt via fpc-pascal wrote:

Hi,

.
.

I'm no IRC user either (and even less having any rights on the chat platform), but I responded to the private message sent by her in the forum and explained why I believe that her moderation style deserves some reconsideration.

Tomas

I was at a similar point with her years ago on freenode. She user, me secondary operator. In the end, discussions with her turned out to be fruitless and a waste of time. Still, I appreciate your patience and honesty to give her a second chance.

She proved to be one of the few persons, who manages to use up my patience.

The creation of the alternate channels is probably the best way out of the situation.

Michael.

P.S. It is not my usual habit to blackmail other people. On the contrary.

Just my comments on IRC-Channels.

I did enter the rooms #fpc #lazarus #lazarus-ide #fpc-alt #fpc-dev just to see whats going on on these channels a few days before.

I have been contaced by johanna via direct talk asking some questions i I'm able programming pascal, something like how to bring numbers to worded form (with explicit annotation not o google), and what I did program in pascal before an if she can get a copy.

Strange/curious today I got the notice that I'm banned from #fpc - obvious reason: not to post

The Channels seem to be empty there is no traffic inside.

Elmar

Elmar Haneke wrote

Just my comments on IRC-Channels.

.
.

Thanks for your input, but as already suggested previously, everybody interested in this topic should preferably use the fpc-other mailing list to keep this one available for discussion related to use of FPC itself rather than associated communication channels.

Thanks

Tomas
(one of FPC mailing list moderators)