[irc/freenode/web-7.0.git] / content / kb / general / namespaces.md

Title: Channel Namespaces
---
Our [policies](pages/policies) outline that channels on freenode fall into one of two categories.
Channels that begin with only a single # character are primary channels. Channels that begin with
two # characters are topical or ‘about’ channels.

Primary Channels
================

Primary channels are reserved for _official_ channels of on-topic projects.

A registered group (as outlined on the page about [group registration](pages/groupreg)) can claim
ownership over primary channels bearing the group's names or name prefixes. For example, freenode
itself owns the channel ‘#freenode’ and all channels beginning with ‘#freenode-’.

Primary channels do not expire. If you represent an on-topic project and would like to take over a
primary channel for that project, do not hesitate to [contact us](pages/groupreg).

Topical Channels
================

Topical or ‘about’ channels are intended for _unofficial_ channels that are _about_ something that's
on-topic. For example, an unofficial channel to talk about freenode is ##freenode. Topical channels
do not mean ‘anything goes’. In particular, they are not for [off-topic use](pages/policies).

Topical channels are given out on a first-come, first-served basis.  They will expire if unused for
a long time, see our [policies](pages/policies) for details regarding when this occurs. You can
contact us on IRC with a request to take over an expired topical channel.
Commit	Line	Data
4f416715	1	Title: Channel Namespaces
47af88d0	2	---
	3	Our [policies](pages/policies) outline that channels on freenode fall into one of two categories.
	4	Channels that begin with only a single # character are primary channels. Channels that begin with
	5	two # characters are topical or ‘about’ channels.
	6
4f416715	7	Primary Channels
47af88d0	8	================
	9
	10	Primary channels are reserved for _official_ channels of on-topic projects.
	11
	12	A registered group (as outlined on the page about [group registration](pages/groupreg)) can claim
	13	ownership over primary channels bearing the group's names or name prefixes. For example, freenode
	14	itself owns the channel ‘#freenode’ and all channels beginning with ‘#freenode-’.
	15
	16	Primary channels do not expire. If you represent an on-topic project and would like to take over a
	17	primary channel for that project, do not hesitate to [contact us](pages/groupreg).
	18
4f416715	19	Topical Channels
47af88d0	20	================
	21
	22	Topical or ‘about’ channels are intended for _unofficial_ channels that are _about_ something that's
	23	on-topic. For example, an unofficial channel to talk about freenode is ##freenode. Topical channels
	24	do not mean ‘anything goes’. In particular, they are not for [off-topic use](pages/policies).
	25
	26	Topical channels are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. They will expire if unused for
	27	a long time, see our [policies](pages/policies) for details regarding when this occurs. You can
	28	contact us on IRC with a request to take over an expired topical channel.