Freenode fallout

[Drew DeVault]

Freenode has been good to Free Desktop for a very long time, and we owe
it a debt of gratitude. But, Freenode is no longer what it once was. As
you're well aware, it's time to move on. The friends and colleagues to
whom we owe our gratitude have been deposed by a hostile takeover, and
have started a new network.

I personally know and trust the staff who have started this new network.
Their legal, financial, and organizational structure improves on the
flaws that Freenode suffered from, and I have faith in the new effort.
It is important that we, the maintainers of projects fleeing Freenode,
lend our legitimacy to their efforts, to secure the new network's
interests and ensure the continuity of Freenode's spirit.

I believe that we have a responsibility to do our part in helping the
spirit that was Freenode endure this crisis, and for that reason, I have
moved all of my channels to LiberaChat and I suggest that FreeDesktop
follows. It's the least we could do to thank those who have provided
support for our projects for tens of years.

The cautious perspective which recoils from anything unknown is
understandable for a community with as much tenure as Free Desktop. But,
the responsibility to help is ours all the same, and the risk is not
especially great. The new network has stabilized remarkably fast for a
network of its scope, scale, and ambitions, and is operated by an
reputable and experienced staff. And, at the end of the day, whatever
bumps we may encounter along the way, it's only IRC. The world won't end
if there's a netsplit every few days while they settle things.

OFTC is an excellent network and an excellent choice for any project,
and I'm in favor of using several baskets to store our eggs. I won't
protest if any project goes there. But I'm going to Libera.