For those not familiar with Linux Mint, the OS comes with HexChat IRC client installed and by default when opened logs into #linuxmint-help.
I usually have HexChat open and monitor for both problems that might affect me and possibly I can help someone, but since I'm really not a desktop guy, I am able to offer little support, so mostly I am there as a lurker.
For those not familiar with IRC, a ping[1] from another user in a channel results in a notification from the IRC client, which in a desktop means the client starts blinking. It is a common troll activity in IRC channels to either overtly ping users randomly or seek excuses to make it appear as if the troll accidentally pinged a user. My experience in IRC is that the moderators instaban these trolls even without any complaints from the users who were pinged. I've never read this, but I believe this is because when logged into many channels simultaneously, the number of pings could be very annoying, so each channel needs to be completely on top of this negative behavior.
It is notable that I did incorrectly state my IP address was banned. The server seems to not accept logins from the "Guest" user in Linux Mint, which I did not know until further testing, which was after the issue was closed.
[1] I may be using ping a little differently, perhaps it is "mention"
I usually have HexChat open and monitor for both problems that might affect me and possibly I can help someone, but since I'm really not a desktop guy, I am able to offer little support, so mostly I am there as a lurker.
For those not familiar with IRC, a ping[1] from another user in a channel results in a notification from the IRC client, which in a desktop means the client starts blinking. It is a common troll activity in IRC channels to either overtly ping users randomly or seek excuses to make it appear as if the troll accidentally pinged a user. My experience in IRC is that the moderators instaban these trolls even without any complaints from the users who were pinged. I've never read this, but I believe this is because when logged into many channels simultaneously, the number of pings could be very annoying, so each channel needs to be completely on top of this negative behavior.
It is notable that I did incorrectly state my IP address was banned. The server seems to not accept logins from the "Guest" user in Linux Mint, which I did not know until further testing, which was after the issue was closed.
[1] I may be using ping a little differently, perhaps it is "mention"