My IRC takeover bot, atkbot, is progressing nicely. Some of the features it now has are:

  • Simple configuration file.
  • Can connect to IRC networks that are password protected.
  • Can join multiple channels by default (specified in the configuration file), or none at all (just lurk on the server).
  • Will automatically re-connect if kicked from the network, or if the internet goes down.
  • Can be instructed to join one or many IRC channels via PMs from bot operators.
  • Will maintain operator status once it has taken over a channel. EG: If it gets ops and kicks everyone out of the room (and bans them!), it will also actively watch for new people joining the channel and remove them as well.
  • Will auto op any bot operators who enter the channel (or who are already in the channel when the takeover happens).
  • Can be instructed to join all channels on the current IRC server.
  • Has a customizable part message which it will use when instructed to leave a channel.
  • Supports variable command prefixes for bot operators to use. You can put in any string: (~, !, etc.)
  • If the bot’s nick is already taken, it will automatically choose another nick.
  • Alert’s all bot operators via channel invite and private message when a channel is taken over, easily alerting the owners so they can take action.

Overall, I think atkbot is going pretty damn good. I have been casually working on it for a few weeks now, and I’m liking it more and more. I still plan on adding a lot of features, like more advanced takeover options, support for multiple IRC networks, etc. — but I plan on building this into a working release soon.

One of the things I’m currently debating is packaging. How should I package atkbot? I’m open to suggestions.

The way I do my development uses GNUmake to build, and run the bot. I’m debating myself on whether I should port atkbot to a systems-level type program (that installs to a global path), or whether it should remain as a standalone program which must be downloaded and ran from within its local directory structure.

Anyhow, development and progress will continue! If you have any input, I’d be happy to have it.

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