Many people are aware of these IRC channels already, but many may
also not be aware. I thought I would post a quick note here to
let everyone know that there are some unofficial XFree86 related
IRC channels for both development discussion as well as end user
help, etc. that people can use.
The following channels are all on the irc.freenode.net network,
which was previously known as irc.openprojects.net. Please use
the irc.freenode.net address when connecting as the latter
address is obsolete. The channels are:
#xfree86
Average number of users is approx 45
A general XFree86 chat forum for end users, developers
and others looking to discuss XFree86 related items,
including, but not limited to: XFree86 configuration
help, compiling XFree86, troubleshooting problems, and
other general topics of discussion. GNOME/KDE and other
similar higher level GUI things are not on topic, and
those projects have their own respective channels for
discussion. Some XFree86/X11 developers frequent this
channel and help people out when they can as time
permits. Developmental discussions sometimes occur here
as well, however people are encouraged to use the
#xfree86-devel or #dri-devel channels below first when
discussing developmental issues.
#xfree86-devel
Average number of users is approx 14, but growing lately
This channel is intended for developers to discuss topics
related to all sides of X development, including X server
debugging and troubleshooting, video driver programming,
or any similar discussion regarding the development of
XFree86 itself. Questions about X client application
development, X APIs, and similar are also welcome. The
channel is rather young however and there isn't always
someone present who has an answer to a given question.
Developers are welcome, and in fact encouraged to lurk in
the channel and help other developers also. Some
XFree86/X11 developers also frequent this channel and
will generally respond to questions if they are at the
keyboard, are able to answer the question, and are free
to chat.
#dri
Average number of users is approx 15
This channel is for end user discussion of issues related
to DRI, 3D acceleration, configuration, etc. I don't
frequent this channel so I'm not familiar with the
channel's policies, or details of the types of
discussions that make up the general content though. If
you've got DRI questions, it is probably worth checking
out. DRI related end user questions are also welcome in
the #xfree86 channel.
#dri-devel
Average number of users is approx 20
This channel is quite a bit different than the ones above
on a day to day basis. The channel's focus is strictly
developmental discussion of DRI (Direct Rendering
Infrastructure), Mesa, and the kernel side of DRI - the
DRM. End user questions, configuration help, and similar
should not be asked here, but should be asked in either
#dri or #xfree86.
DRI development meetings are held every Monday at 5:00pm
EST (2200 UTC) for a couple of hours generally in which
DRI developers get together to interactively discuss DRI
developmental issues. The meetings are open to anyone
to attend, and not restricted to DRI developers. Note
that end users asking for help configuring DRI or XFree86
is very off topic on #dri-devel, and should be asked
instead on #xfree86 or #dri, however end users are
welcome to participate in discussions, ask questions
about development, how to get started developing DRI, and
also provide feedback that may help developers.
Most of the above channels have been available on
irc.freenode.net (formerly irc.openprojects.net) for a year or
more, however some are a bit newer.
All XFree86 users and developers are welcome to drop by and
participate, ask questions, help others. Some people hate IRC of
course, and won't at all be interested in any of this. I used to
be one of those people for about 6 years myself, so I understand
where you're coming from. ;o) I've since found IRC can however
be a useful tool for communication with other developers and
users though, and thought I'd post a note here to let people know
these discussion forums exist should they wish to participate.
Take care,
TTYL
--
Mike A. Harris
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