What is Anope?
Anope is a set of IRC services that allows users to register and secure their nicknames, and register channels. Anope is forked from Epona, most will recognise that Anope is Epona spelt backwards…
Can I use Anope?
If you have your own IRC server, then yes, you probably can, supported IRCds include UnrealIRCd, InspIRCd, Bahamut, Plexus and more. Supported OS’s include *nix (Debian, Ubuntu, Freebsd, Redhat and Centos), Windows (XP, Vista, 7 and server editions), it can also be compiled on MacOS (admittedly I can’t recall if this can be done straight out of the box, probably not).
Branches
Anope currently has 2 main branches, excluding GIT sub-branches. These include the current stable Anope-1.8.6, and the development branch 1.9. Nearly all users should use the stable branch. Releases are made in the development branch but be prepared to possibly update often, and expect the odd problem/crash.
Anope and I
I’ve been a dedicated Anope user since my beginnings on IRC, first using it on Windows at the end of 2007, then my first linux server a few months afterwards. I started hanging around on the Anope channel helping users with their problems, equipped with knowledge from my own experiences and in May 2010 I became part of the team, mostly helping with Windows builds and testing, and compiling Anope modules for others, gradually getting more involved with bug-finding and fixing.
Official Anope links
My Anope links
A good many vlaublaes you’ve given me.