With the Ubuntu Developer Summit in Copenhagen drawing to a close the Raring Ringtail development cycle kicks off in earnest, and our core IRC channels now support users of Ubuntu 12.10 the Quantal Quetzal. Our IRC channels provide excellent live, peer reviewed, technical support and information and are a great communication tool for the wider Ubuntu project. As well as people providing technical support we have a team of helpers who moderate the channels, maintaining a sense of order and decorum in line with the principals of the Ubuntu Code of Conduct by being catalysts and if all else fails using technical measures to exclude spammers and other sources of disruption. We like to kick off each cycle by inviting people to apply to join this team, following the application process for the channel they are most involved in from this list (links are to the relevant launchpad teams to apply to)

• #ubuntu
• #ubuntu-offtopic
• #kubuntu
• #kubuntu-offtopic
• #edubuntu
• #ubuntu-mythtv
• #xubuntu
• #xubuntu-offtopic
• #ubuntustudio
• #ubuntu-server
• #lubuntu
• #lubuntu-offtopic

If you’re active on our IRC channels and you are available, and if you’ve been aching to help, you should consider applying! You might get your chance if:

• You are great at resolving conflicts
• You are very patient. Superhuman nerve control is a basic IRC operator feature
• You can take criticism
• You are happy when helping and advising others

In addition to the Code of Conduct and our IRC Guidelines, you are happy to also adhere to the Leadership Code of Conduct and the Operator Guidelines.
 
In general, please do not consider becoming an operator because it could be “fun”. It is not, it’s hard work. However, it is often quite rewarding, and you get to operate with a great team of people. You don’t need to be an IRC guru, but you do need to know enough to be able to learn more.
 
Please be aware that some applicants will not become operators for various reasons. This will not necessarily be because we think you would make a bad operator. Only a limited number of operators are ever needed, some timezones are better covered already than others, and so on. We are particularly interested in applications from people who are frequently online during the 00:00 UTC to 08:00 UTC timeframe. There are quite a few people who have already applied to a team, you don’t need to re-apply we will process all the pending applications.
 
IMPORTANT: Please follow the application process and additionally note your available times on your wiki page. Having your wiki page listed on your LP page is also useful to aid us in finding your information.
We look forward to your applications!

Originally posted here by Alan Bell on Saturday, November 3rd, 2012