This file is a dumping ground for my thoughts on what this plugin should and
should not do and why.  If I was to write a mission statement for this plugin,
it would be something like:

	The IRC Helper plugin exists to enhance IRC support in Gaim in ways
	which are inappropriate for general inclusion in Gaim.

Enhancing IRC support in Gaim involves two specific areas:

	First, wrapping IRC services and other protocol oddities so that from
	the user's perspective, IRC reacts the same as the other protocols in
	Gaim.  The most obvious example is with NickServ.  For most protocols,
	you set a password and Gaim authenticates you and you're done.  With
	IRC, you have to manually authenticate to NickServ (or setup a Buddy
	Pounce).  By handling the NickServ authentication, this plugin enhances
	the users's experience by providing consistency with other protocols
	(as well as the obvious automation by saving the NickServ password).

	Second, I intend for this plugin to offer novel new features.  See the
	IDEAS file for examples.

Most of the existing code in this plugin is specific to popular IRC servers.
If this code was in Gaim, users would expect it to work everywhere, which it
won't.  The inconsitent behavior would result in a lot of complaints to the
Gaim team.

Also, if the servers ever changed their responses (even by a single character),
things would break. In my opinion, Gaim needs to be more stable than that.  IRC
is a (mostly) documented protocol.  While it has its quirks, IRC is fairly
standardized and unchanging.  On the other hand, IRC services and the like are
not standardized and can change without notice.  Gaim can focus on the standard
protocol and this plugin will focus on the nonstandard services, etc.

- Richard Laager <rlaager@users.sf.net>

