Macron

The Macron IRC network has a unique and storied history within Israel's IRC community, beginning with early roots on the chat.snunit.k12.il (Snunit) server. It was on Snunit that users like ^Fanta, ^Cola, and ^MULE^ first connected, forming a community on the #COME channel. However, Snunit’s 40-user limit and issues with disruptive clones led them to seek other networks, eventually joining the American Global IRC network and then moving to the Israeli server Mishkei (Mishkei Hakibutzim).

From Mishkei to the Founding of irc.nonstop.net.il

Mishkei initially provided a new home for the community, but unreliable support from its administrators soon became an issue. During this period, Elisha, who managed another chat network, invited ^Fanta and ^Cola to become IRC operators on Mishkei. With their combined experience, they helped stabilize Mishkei and gained valuable management skills. However, as challenges continued, Elisha began searching for a more reliable platform for the community, leading him to NonStop, Israel’s first cable ISP, created by Matav as part of a pilot program in Netanya to showcase the capabilities of high-speed internet.

The Story of irc.nonstop.net.il

With NonStop’s support, the IRC network was initially established as irc.nonstop.net.il by mukshe, Yuka, and Shekel. This test server, created to explore a possible connection with DALnet, had no active user base in the beginning. After a while, Elisha took over the server and rebranded it as chat.nonstop.net.il, bringing the first wave of users to the network. He invited ^Fanta and ^Cola from another server he managed, as well as mukshe (also known as ^taltul), who helped build the network. Kobi_S joined soon after, bringing a large influx of users with him from IvritNet, which further expanded the community and strengthened Macron’s presence.

Under Elisha’s leadership and the collaborative efforts of the team, NonStop’s IRC server grew into a vibrant Israeli community. Channels were created for discussions on local culture, tech, and social topics, allowing Israelis to connect in a dedicated Hebrew-speaking space. Elisha envisioned IRC as a place for meaningful interaction that was both accessible and enjoyable, where users could create a friendly, user-oriented environment. Anticipating NonStop’s possible closure, Kobi_S suggested creating an independent name and domain to ensure the network’s survival. Elisha proposed the name Macron as a tribute to Macintosh computers, symbolizing his early fascination with technology and community-building. With this, Kobi_S registered the domain, taking ownership of the network in preparation for a transition.

Challenges and the Birth of Macron

On May 1, 2001, following a failed merger attempt with NetVision, Matav announced the closure of NonStop, leading to layoffs and ending support for the IRC server. After several months of transition, on December 26, 2001, the network officially rebranded as Macron, marking a new phase as a fully independent, community-driven IRC network. Macron continued to grow, carrying on the legacy of irc.nonstop.net.il and establishing itself as one of Israel’s largest IRC communities.

Ido’s Appointment as Administrator

On May 25, 2002, Ido was formally introduced as the new administrator of Macron, succeeding Elisha. During a widely attended announcement session led by Kobi_S, ^Fanta, and ^ZiCo^, Ido introduced himself to the community, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and excitement about his new role. Ido had been involved with the network since its early days at NonStop, initially joining as a user during the server’s testing phase when only three operators were present. As he became more active, Ido quickly rose to the role of operator, working under Elisha’s management at NonStop. However, due to his military service, he was less active for a period. Now, with more time to dedicate to the network, he returned as the lead administrator.

In his first message to the Macron community, Ido shared plans for upcoming changes, including new celebrity chat events, revised operator guidelines, and a form to connect additional servers to Macron. Emphasizing his collaborative approach, Ido assured the community that he would leave technical tasks to those most experienced in that area. He also welcomed feedback and questions, reinforcing his commitment to an open and user-friendly environment. The session ended with enthusiastic support from community members, with many expressing well-wishes for Ido’s leadership.

The Celebrity Chat with Elisha

One of the most iconic events in Macron’s history was a “celebrity chat” session with Elisha, held on December 21, 2002. Hosted in the #macron channel, the event attracted a large audience eager to reconnect with Macron’s founding administrator. As the chat opened, the channel buzzed with greetings and nostalgia as users shared memories and expressed their admiration for Elisha’s role in shaping the network. During the session, Elisha shared insights about the origins of the Macron name, inspired by his early affinity for Macintosh computers, and reflected on the challenges and rewards of managing the community. Elisha also answered various questions from users, discussing everything from his career shift to weight loss coaching to his fond memories of the IRC network. His warmth and humor shone through, leaving attendees with a renewed sense of Macron’s unique community spirit. The session concluded with heartfelt farewells, as Elisha promised to remain a part of the Macron legacy and left the community with words of encouragement for its future.

Trivia Channels on Macron

Macron was home to a variety of trivia channels that became a cornerstone of its interactive appeal. Among these, the #^Pottriv series - channels dedicated to Harry Potter trivia - attracted fans who gathered regularly to test their knowledge of the wizarding world. Other channels offered general trivia, organized into leagues such as #טריויה_ליגה_א, #טריויה_ליגה_ב, and #טריויה_ליגה_ג, providing different difficulty levels and competitions. Additional themed channels included #טריויה_ספורט_א for sports trivia and #טריויה_מוזיקה_א for music trivia, ensuring a broad range of interests were represented. These trivia channels helped build Macron’s reputation as a vibrant, engaging platform and fostered a loyal user base dedicated to friendly competition and shared interests.

#hakasefet Channel: Bringing Israeli TV to IRC

In addition to its community-driven discussions, Macron hosted an innovative weekly session on the #hakasefet channel, centered around the popular Israeli game show “Hakasefet” (The Vault). This show, created and hosted by Erez Tal, was a television hit known for its trivia and prize challenges. Through a collaboration with the Rotter website, Macron provided fans of Hakasefet an interactive way to experience the show online. Each week, participants on #hakasefet could answer questions inspired by the show's format, creating an immersive, game-like environment that bridged the gap between television and IRC. This interactive channel allowed Macron users to participate in a simulated game show experience, making it a beloved part of Macron’s unique offerings and contributing to the network's legacy as an engaging, multimedia platform for Israeli users.

User Levels: Building a Rewarding Community Hierarchy

Macron introduced a system of user levels to recognize active, respectful, and long-standing members within the community. Each level came with specific privileges that reflected the user’s engagement and positive standing:

Regular User: This level, attainable after three months of registration, allowed users to view notifications of actions performed by IRC operators. As long as users maintained a good record with no recent infractions, they could achieve this status.

Senior User: Granted to users with at least eight months of active membership, this level provided the ability to hide one’s idle status from other users. Users who had upheld community standards over the past several months were generally eligible for this rank.

Respected User: With a year or more on the network, users could achieve the Respected User level, which allowed them to see when someone performed a WHOIS lookup on them. This status was typically awarded to users who had maintained a clean record for the previous six months.

Winner: This honorary title was awarded to members who won official Macron network competitions. As a mark of achievement, it highlighted their success and contribution to the community’s competitive events.

Help Operator: Reserved for those who contributed exceptional support to the network, this level granted access to HELPOPS notifications, enabling users to assist others with questions and issues. The Help Operator role recognized users who provided valuable help within the network.

This tiered user system reinforced Macron's commitment to fostering a respectful and engaged community by acknowledging members’ dedication and positive contributions.

Splits, Mergers, and Macron’s Legacy

In 2003, Macron experienced a split, creating two networks: Macron and Xtream. Each network retained a portion of the original community and continued independently. In 2004, Macron merged with IvritNet, combining two of Israel’s most prominent independent IRC communities. This merger preserved the legacies of both networks, creating a unified platform for Hebrew-speaking users to connect and engage in meaningful discussions.

Macron’s Logo Evolution

Macron’s visual identity was shaped by the contributions of its IRC Operators over the years. The original logo was designed by ^havlaz, an IRC Operator who captured the essence of the Macron community with a simple, recognizable design. After ^havlaz left the network, a new logo was created by another IRC Operator, ^ZiCo^, who refined Macron’s branding while maintaining a look that resonated with the community. Each logo represented the network’s evolving identity and the dedication of its members to creating a unique and lasting space for Israeli IRC users.

The Impact of Macron

Macron remains a significant part of Israel’s internet history, symbolizing the dedication and resilience of the Israeli IRC community. What began on Snunit and Mishkei, transitioned through irc.nonstop.net.il, and ultimately became Macron, represents the ingenuity and adaptability of its members. Even after NonStop’s closure, Macron continued to thrive as a platform where Israeli users could connect, share ideas, and engage in their native language. Macron’s legacy stands as a testament to the power of grassroots community-building in Israel’s early digital landscape.