It's the #p/g! FAQ, eh...

Updated: 21 October 1998

When was #p/g! Formed?

The IRC channel #p/g! was originally formed we think in 1991, by a bunch of hoser RUSH fans. We're not entirely sure who the original ones were, so there's no point in pissing people off by attempting to name them.

What the hell is IRC, anyway?

IRC stands for the Internet Relay Chat — a forum where groups of people can talk on various channels. It's sort of like a cross between the "talk" program and a CB radio. You can read more about what IRC is all about, if you wish. If there's not a client currently on your machine, there are several available via ftp on cs-ftp.bu.edu.

So how the hell do I get on p/g?

Well, that depends on the client you're using, and since there is hardly a chance I know what you're using, you'll have to figure out crap on your own, like how to join channels and stuff. The basic requirement is to use an EFNet server (irc-2.mit.edu is one, for example), and join the channel #p/g!. Type it exactly that way (pound-sign pee slash gee exclamation). And don't blame us for what happens after that.

Is there anything I need to study before joining #p/g!?

• SCTV; Bob & Doug McKenzie; Strange Brew
• Fletch
• Donuts; Tim Horton's Donuts
• Music; Progressive Rock; maybe even RUSH
• Quantum mechanics
• Hockey; NHL
• Billroth operations

So why #p/g!?

#p/g! is sort of an abbreviation for RUSH's 1984 release, Grace Under Pressure. Actual accepted abbreviations for the album are P/G or GUP — and no, we didn't make up the p/g thing — it actually appears on the album cover. No one really knows why the channel is named after this particular album, though rumor has it Geddy Lee actually appeared to Patster and commanded it.

Patster? Who the hell is that?

*** Patster is u24129@uicvm.uic.edu (Pat Choy)
*** on channels: #p/g!
*** Patster has been idle 5 years

What is that stupid +ntl 2112 that I always see on the channel?

Those are the channel modes. +n means no outside messages to the channel. +t means that only channel operators can change the topic of the channel. +l 2112 means that no more than 2,112 people can join the channel at any one given time (we're optimistic).

Who is in charge of the #p/g! channel?

Technically, no one — #p/g! is a democraship. Your resident democrators are Steven Cogswell (cogswell@nbnet.nb.ca), Glen Eric Reed (greed@falstaff.net), John Santore (jsbh@andrew.cmu.edu), Kasia Trapszo (kasia@trapszo.com) and G. Burton Smith (burt@pslashg.net). These are the RushServ SHITheads.

RushServ? What's that?

RushServ, these days known as PATSTER, is #p/g!'s lovable and irascible robot. It's basically there to keep the lights on in the channel after everyone leaves, to hold messages for the p/g-ers, and so forth. Click here for more on RushServ.

Ohh, right — that RushServ! Hey, how do I do its unhide command?

There is no unhide! You hoser!

Hey, there's no need to call me a hoser, is there?

If you need to ask that, then yes — there is.

Fine. Well, what's a p/g-er then?

A p/g-er is a guy (or gal) with nothing better to do than hang around and talk on a computer all day. P/g-ers are usually no better than your average #p/g! attendees, except that they've been on the channel for a long time and managed to not piss off Letterman and/or Slythex.

Okay, then ... what's this p/geezer crap?

A p/geezer is basically a p/g-er who's been around a longass time. And still managed to not piss off Letterman and/or Slythex.

Hmm. So then what about the GUPpie thing?

Hey, how the hell did you find out about that!? That's supposed to be the surprise new term for "standard" status on the long-awaited RushServ 6.0, but I guess the cat's out of the bag now. Of course, now that you know, I'll have to kill you.

Well, this all souds cool. How do I become a p/g-er?

First, it's not cool. Second, the best way to become a p/g-er is to never ask to become one, no matter how bad you want to. Anyone who can possibly promote you to the p/g-ership will become incredibly annoyed if you ask even once, let alone continuously badger them on the subject.

That's just great. How can I at least get rid of that stupid greeting message that RushServ gives me every time I join the channel?

You can't. Unless you figure out a more efficient way of setting level variables in ircII, and e-mail it to the RushServ admins at either patster@pslashg.net or greed@falstaff.net.

This channel really sucks, doesn't it?

Yes, it does. Life sucks, pal — deal with it.

So what do you say? You'll be doing me and my family a great service. Will you kill me?

Sure.