BotHouse
From BotHouse MediaWiki
BService - Bot Service
BService (short for "B(ot )Service"), was the unofficial bot loaning service we ran on irc.chatnet.org, located on #BotHouse. The name continued with the naming-conventions of the official service channels: #NutHouse (network / oper channel), and #DogHouse (channel services channel).
After another multi-network bot service decided to set-up shop (c. 1999), in a similar manner as we did, using the same channel name (#BotHouse) invited us to merge with them, the "BService" name became the unified name. However, shortly after the agreement, we split from the group. While they continued using the group name (BService) and channel name (#BotHouse) on up to 30 other networks, we were completely disassociated with them. They even took our script, changed a few lines, and renamed it "RainbowBot." However, many users have told us that the thinly-veiled attempt to use StormBot.TCL in a way that they could claim credit for the script. The other group continues to exist until this day, despite the deaths of both group lead-administrators (no, not at the same time).
However, since we did not apply any legal trademark on the name (and why would we?), we let them continue without any interference and without much complaint (other than the occasional grumbling). I have no knowledge of what had happened to RainbowBot, and don't really care much. People have regularly stolen our work, mimimally altered it and claimed it as their own, or outright released "hacked" versions that do nothing but malicious activity. However, we've focused on just releasing our product and handling our bot service. In August of 2003, we started our own network (bothouse.net), while maintaining our service on chatnet.org. However, due to political issues, chatnet.org started to fall apart, so we left that network and remained on our own.
On our new network, we started to have several channels move to our network from chatnet.org, or, who just wanted to be on a small network without the politics and games. However, after a couple of years, we had to abandon our DNS entry "irc.bothouse.net" due to two people using our network for hacked zombie computers "calling home" to the hackers. After dealing with that, we had to null-route the DNS, and use a new server DNS entry of "chat.bothouse.net" instead. This made it difficult for people to find us; many people thought we had shut-down and moved to other networks. While this was not true, this wasn't easy to fix (educating people of the new server addresses). Therefore, we downsized to just being available for StormBot.TCL coding and distribution. Without a solid user base, there's no reason to have a 'bot loadning service' any more, is there?
That's where we are now.
