Version: 0.19 #3100 (using KDE KDE 3.5.2) Installed from: Ubuntu Packages OS: Linux I just installed Kubuntu 6.06, when I start Konversation for the first time I see there is a "Default Identity", so I click "connect" on the freenode default configuration -- However, then there is an error because the "Default Identity" has not had the "Real Name" field filled in... Would it be possible for the default identity to have a default "Real Name" of that added to the account, or even just the username? (my user account does not have a Real Name specified). Thanks, other than this, Konversation is great! thanks for writing it.
Konversation presently retrieves the real name of the system user account to set up the Default Identity, just as it uses the system user account name to bootstrap the list of nicknames for the Default Identity. It does so using the API offered by the KDE libraries. Using a pseudo in case the system user account has no full name set is not an option, as such pseudos are widely frowned upon on IRC, and Konversation will not break with this established practice. Note that many other IRC clients ask you to set up the real name or even an email address before allowing a connection attempt to go through. Note that for the soon-to-be-released Konversation 1.0, the workflow has been improved to automatically resume the connection attempt after the identity settings have been successfully corrected upon chosing to do so due to the warning dialog box. In the future, we want to add a first-run wizard to facilitate properly setting up the Default Identity as well as the server list on the spot. Thanks for your report.
Hi Eike Hein, Thanks for considering this. I've used IRC for 10 years and not come across not having a real name being frowned upon, I was using an Acorn IRC client, and then ircii, neither if those requires a Real Name either.. or BitchX.. perhaps you will reconsider my request..? but ultimately its not my call, so thanks for considering it anyway. Perhaps a work around is for me to set my Real Name to be my account name. although IMHO a user should be allowed to be as anonymous as they choose. Kind regards JG
Well, let me explain a bit better, perhaps. First of, supplying a real name parameter during connect is a technical requirement of the IRC protocol. An IRC client needs to send a real name parameter with the USER message to the server. This data field is explicitly called "real name" by the IRC protocol and to be used accordingly. Secondly, while users may certainly manually enter a string of characters that does not correspond to their real name if they wish to remain anonymous, it is considered good practice for an IRC client interface to be architected in a way that asks the user to explicitly make this decision rather than automatically fill in a pseudonym for them. In short, we agree with that assessment. A lot has been written on the usage of real names in internet mediums and how it contributes to creating at atmosphere of trust and accountability in these media, in a particular with regards to the Usenet. Let's not repeat the debate here. While we usually don't comment on the competition, let me point out that BitchX does pride itself on a certain 'rebel' attitude, showcased for example in the provocative default quit messages supplied with the software. Let's say that the intended audience of Konversation is slightly different.
Ok, perhaps it is better to honour IRC conventions, and ask for a Real Name as part of the first-run wizard if none is captured from the user login account. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Jon