GROUPS-TECHNICAL

***** GROUP-COMMANDS *****

Commands: g-list-groups
          g-describe
          g-list-members
          g-best        
          g-join
          g-invite
          g-kick
          g-list-joining
          g-list-invited
          g-message

This help file will go over groups commands and other technical features of
groups.  For general information about what sort of groups we have and
might create in the future, please see "help groups".

Commands for Groups:

g-list-groups lists the groups that have been created.
(Only ICC administrators can create groups.)

g-describe  
shows the parameters of the group,
including a brief description of the group, the URL for the
group's web page, the operator or operators for the group,
and the channel reserved for the group (if any).
(Some groups may want to have their channel be open to all,
rather than restricted to group members, in which case it
would just be an informal convention to be noted in the
group's description.)

"g-list-members " lists the members of that group.

"g-best " displays the highest rated players in that group, according
to whatever rating category that group uses for that purpose.  Not all
groups have a best list.

"who &" shows who is in the group, among the players
currently logged in.  This can be combined with other arguments
to the "who" command.

"g-join " will add you to a group or request admission to
that group. You may also need for an operator of the group to invite you,
and in that case you should ask the operator to do so by message or other
means.  If there are special requirements or procedures to join a group,
they should be mentioned in the group description and/or on the group's web
page.

Each group has an operator, a privileged player able to invite players
into the group or kick them out.  (In principle, a group can have
a group of operators, but that gets complicated.)  Administrators have
operator power in all groups, but seldom use them.

Commands for operators:

"g-invite  " will allow a person to join the group with the
"g-join" command. When an administrator uses this command, the person will
be joined automatically without the person having to do use "g-join".

"g-kick  " will remove a person from the group.

"g-list-joining " will list those who have requested membership in
the group.

"g-list-invited " will list those that have been invited to join the
group.

"g-message  " will send a message to all group members. This
should be used sparingly, as most people aren't going to appreciate group
spam. If a group member needs to get a message out to the whole group, he
will need to coordinate with the operator. Also see the rules in "help
advertising".

More technical info:

"finger " lists at the bottom what groups the player is in. (Except
for groups with private membership lists, see below.)

Groups also have a web page on the ICC web site, at
www.chessclub.com/groups/nameofgroup

Some groups' membership lists are more private.  These groups won't appear
in "finger", and only operators of the group can use "g-list-members
" or "g-best ".  Only members of the group can use "who
&", if the group is private.  Also, if such a group has a restricted
channel, the "who c#" "inchannel # (#)" and "vars " commands know
not to tell people outside that channel who is in the channel.  However, do
not assume that no one will find out that you're in one of these groups;
it's not impossible for them to see it, just harder.

The event list (corresponding to the Event Window in Blitzin) can have
items that are only shown to members of a particular group.

The Tomato tournament robots can run tournaments just for the members
of a group.

We have plans for more group features.  Let us know if there's a feature
that would enable or streamline activities for your group.

See also: groups, channels