--- ircd-hybrid/trunk/NEWS	2013/10/25 20:25:11	2498
+++ ircd-hybrid/trunk/NEWS	2016/02/02 17:15:26	7204
@@ -1,85 +1,452 @@
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.8 Release Notes
-o) Fixed bug that would lead to a desynchronized nick database
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.13 (2016-02-02)
+o) Implemented support for GnuTLS. Currently ./configure's autodetection
+   intentionally prefers OpenSSL over GnuTLS, so OpenSSL detection needs
+   to be disabled explicitely by using the --disable-openssl switch.
+o) Added support for remote REHASH: REHASH <server> <option>
+o) Added 'rehash:remote' irc-operator privilege flag
+o) Added 'rehash' type to shared {} blocks
+o) Fixed minor memory leak with shared {} and cluster {} blocks
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.12 (2016-01-05)
+#######################################################################
+o) IMPORTANT: Character case mapping is 'ascii' now. It is recommended
+   to update all servers on the network to prevent possible channel
+   desynchronizations and nick name collision kills
+#######################################################################
+o) Added channel mode +T which forbids NOTICEs to be sent to a channel
+o) Fixed minor SVSTAG memory leak
+o) Fixed broken PART message blocking mechanism
+o) ircd now makes use of up to 8 name servers that are specified in
+   /etc/resolv.conf
+o) The -klinefile, -dlinefile, etc. switches didn't work at all
+o) Fixed possible core on ident lookups if ircd is out of file descriptors
+o) Far client exit notices (+F) now show IP addresses, too
+o) Made idle time look nicer in "STATS v|p" by using a formatted time string
+o) 'general::ts_warn_delta', and 'general::ts_max_delta' can be set to 0 now
+o) Several code cleanups and optimizations. Improved documentation
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.11 (2015-11-19)
+o) Implemented IRCv3.2 invite-notify extension
+o) Implemented IRCv3.2 chghost extension
+o) Added channel::invite_delay_channel configuration option
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.10 (2015-11-06)
+#######################################################################
+o) IMPORTANT: renamed 'serverhide::links_delay' configuration directive
+   to 'serverhide::flatten_links_delay'
+#######################################################################
+o) Added 'serverhide::flatten_links_file' configuration option
+o) Fixed bug where changing 'serverhide::flatten_links_delay' on runtime
+   would not have any effect
+o) mkpasswd (tools): fixed broken bcrypt support on *BSD in conjunction
+   with the -s and -l switches. Dropped MD5, DES and Extended DES support.
+o) Removed CHALLENGE in favor of ssl certificate fingerprint enabled
+   operator {} blocks
+o) RSA keys with less than 2048 bits are no longer supported; same applies
+   to the DH param file
+o) Added missing irc-operator privilege flags to /stats o. For a full list
+   of flags see doc/reference.conf
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.9 (2015-09-13)
+########################################################################
+o) IMPORTANT: database files and links.txt are now stored in /var/lib
+   instead of /etc, so make sure to move your k/d/x-line database files
+   to the new path before (re)starting the ircd
+########################################################################
+o) IMPORTANT: the splitmode logic has been removed along with the
+   following channel {} block configuration directives:
+   'default_split_user_count', 'default_split_server_count',
+   'no_create_on_split', 'no_join_on_split'
+########################################################################
+o) Added 'xline_exempt' to auth {} block flags
+o) 'serverinfo::sid' is now optional. A unique SID is now automatically
+   generated based on the server's name and description
+o) Various fixes to the mkpasswd tool
+o) If supported by the compiler, ircd-hybrid now compiles with
+   '-fstack-protector-strong' instead of '-fstack-protector'
+o) Services can now add RESVs (SQLINEs) that have wildcards in it
+o) Channel name RESVs are now sanity checked for too broad masks
+o) 'class::connectfreq' now works properly with values lower than 300 seconds
+o) Implemented IRCv3.1 account-notify extension
+o) The 'general::oper_pass_resv' configuration directive has been deprecated
+   in favor of the new 'join:resv', and 'nick:resv' irc-operator flags.
+   See doc/reference.conf for more information.
+o) Added 'resv', and 'unresv' irc-operator flags. Previously, all
+   irc-operators were allowed to RESV and UNRESV, regardless of configured
+   privileges.
+o) Added 'close' to irc-operator flags
+o) ircd is using ISO 8601 date and time notation in most places now
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.8 (2015-05-10)
+o) ircd now rejects remote k-line requests for user@host mask that don't
+   have at least 'general::min_nonwildcard' non-wildcard characters in it
+o) Configuration related server notices are now sent to admins only as
+   they potentially could leak passwords and other sensitive data to irc
+   operators that don't have administrator privileges
+o) The GLINE/GUNGLINE commands have been removed. KLINE in conjunction
+   with cluster {} and/or shared {} blocks is now the recommended
+   way to add global user@host mask based server bans
+o) Added dline_min_cidr, dline_min_cidr6, kline_min_cidr, and kline_min_cidr6
+   configuration options to the general {} block
+o) Fixed bug where a REHASH would clear all X-Lines and RESVs that have
+   been set with the XLINE/RESV commands
+o) Fixed broken temporary remote XLINEs
+o) The 'general::havent_read_conf' configuration directive has been removed
+o) Various code cleanups
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.7 (2015-04-05)
+o) Fixed a potential buffer overflow with the BMASK inter-server command
+o) Fixed undefined behavior in the HELP command module which could
+   lead to stack corruption
+o) Removed useless help files for inter-server commands
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.6 (2015-03-29)
+o) INFO now shows configured values of 'max_watch' and 'stats_m_oper_only'
+o) WHOWAS now shows IP addresses to irc operators
+o) Fixed bug that would allow remote clients to bypass the hard
+   limit of max WHOWAS entries to be returned
+o) Code cleanups and performance improvements
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.5 (2015-02-24)
+o) Fixed core on Mac OSX 10.10 and possibly some other systems when parsing
+   the ircd.conf with configured pseudo {} blocks
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.4 (2015-02-17)
+o) Added SVSTAG command which services may use to add tags to users which can
+   be seen in /whois
+o) Added 'oper::whois' configuration option which allows to override the default
+   RPL_WHOISOPERATOR numeric string shown in /whois.
+o) IRC operators may now use +O on a channel even if they are only a half-op
+o) Fixed bug where TOPIC messages were not n!u@h prefixed in case of TBURST
+   issued by services clients
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.3 (2015-02-11)
+########################################################################
+o) IMPORTANT: the following ircd.conf configuration directives have been renamed:
+
+   max_clients -> default_max_clients
+   join_flood_count -> default_join_flood_count
+   join_flood_time -> default_join_flood_time
+########################################################################
+o) Fixed bug where "/rehash" would always reset the "MAX", "JFLOODTIME", and
+   "JFLOODCOUNT" values that have been changed from within IRC via the "/set"
+   command
+o) Added channel mode +C which prevents users from sending CTCPs to a channel
+o) Fixes to the NOTICE/PRIVMSG anti-flood logic
+o) Allow to disable the NOTICE/PRIVMSG anti-flood mechanism by setting the
+   'general::default_floodcount' configuration option to 0
+o) Updated some help files
+o) Minor code cleanups and improvements
+o) Operators may now see certificate fingerprints, user modes and hidden
+   channels via WHOIS as well. This used to be admin only.
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.2 (2015-01-20)
+o) Implemented IRCv3.1 extended-join extension
+o) Channel half-ops can now use INVITE as well
+o) Fixed broken 'make install -jX'
+o) m_opme.c has been added to modules/extra. Can be used on opless channels only.
+o) Added 'opme' to irc-operator flags
+o) Updated several help files
+o) The 'general::hide_spoof_ips' configuration option has been deprecated
+o) The 'general::true_no_oper_flood' configuration option has been deprecated.
+   Operators still can have higher 'flood' limits with no_oper_flood = yes;
+   hoewever, they are no longer allowed to bypass RecvQ limits.
+o) Added 'general::stats_m_oper_only' configuration option
+o) Remote client connection notices (user mode +F) now do show IP addresses, too
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.1 (2014-10-21)
+o) Fixed bug where "UNDLINE remote.server IP" did not work as expected
+o) Servers are now allowed to add/remove K-/D-/X-lines and RESVs
+o) Usermode +G now no longer allows to override +g
+o) Due to potential weakness, TLS session caching and session tickets
+   have been disabled
+o) Minor improvements to TS6 implementation
+o) WHOWAS now shows the name of the services account a user was logged in
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.0 (2014-08-24)
+o) Successful operator logins are now announced globally via GLOBOPS
+o) Cleanups and improvements to the resolver code
+o) Cleanups and improvements to the poll() I/O event notification support
+o) A topic mask can now be specified within the LIST options
+o) All users may now see channel modes in the /list reply
+o) Fixed bug where "NOTICE +#somechan" did allow bypassing resv {} channels,
+   or channels that are set +c (no control codes)
+o) pseudo {} blocks also known as service aliases have been implemented.
+   See doc/reference.conf for more information.
+o) Removed 'general::services_name' configuration option. This is now no
+   longer needed.
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.0rc2 (2014-08-03)
+o) Improved AWAY throttling to allow for better fine-tuning. See the
+   newly added 'away_count' and 'away_time' configuration directives
+   in the general {} block
+o) Support for the select() I/O event notification has been dropped
+o) Minor code cleanups and improvements
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.0rc1 (2014-07-20)
+o) Miscellaneous code cleanups and stabilization fixes
+o) ./configure now requires OpenSSL 0.9.8o or above in order
+   to enable TLS/SSL support
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.0beta4 (2014-07-06)
+#####################################################################
+o) IMPORTANT: channel halfops are now an integral part of ircd-hybrid
+   and can't be disabled anymore
+#####################################################################
+o) Many code cleanups and improvements
+o) Added flood control for the INVITE command. See channel {} block in reference.conf
+o) Changed flood control logic for the KNOCK command. See channel {} block in reference.conf
+o) INVITE without any parameters now shows a list of channels a client is invited to
+o) The OPERWALL command has been removed. Use GLOBOPS instead
+o) Added 'max_channels' to class {} blocks
+o) Added 'throttle_count' configuration option to the general {} block
+o) Added 'ssl_message_digest_algorithm' configuration option to serverinfo {} block.
+   See doc/reference.conf for more information.
+o) Added support for Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH). Also an elliptic curve can be
+   specified via the 'serverinfo::ssl_dh_elliptic_curve' configuration option.
+o) Removed 'ssl_server_method' and 'ssl_client_method' configuration options.
+   ircd now only allows TLSv1, TLSv1.1 and TLSv1.2 protocols depending
+   on the OpenSSL version. SSLv3 is no longer supported.
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.0beta3 (2014-05-26)
+o) Code cleanups/performance improvements
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.0beta2 (2014-05-15)
+#########################################################################
+o) IMPORTANT: renamed 'general::warn_no_nline' configuration directive to
+   'general::warn_no_connect_block'
+#########################################################################
+o) Fixed bug with WHOIS not showing a list of channel names as expected
+o) Added usermode +q which hides idle and signon time in WHOIS
+o) Added usermode +p which hides channel list in WHOIS
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.2.0beta1 (2014-04-29)
+o) TS6 is now mandatory. ircd is no longer backwards compatible with TS5
+   and below.
+o) SVSJOIN and SVSPART commands have been added
+o) Major code cleanups and refactoring. Improved overall performance
+o) INFO now also reports MPATH (path to main motd (Message of the Day) file)
+   and SPATH (Path to server executable)
+o) Updated several help files
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.20 (2014-07-20)
+o) Fixed XLINE not working as expected
+o) Fixed build with LibreSSL which hasn't compression support
+o) Miscellaneous stabilization and cosmetical fixes
+o) EGD support has been dropped
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.19 (2014-07-05)
+o) Fixed EOB logic for remote servers
+o) Fixed bug where opers that have the +g/+G/+R umodes set won't receive server
+   notices for remote CONNECT/KLINE/DLINE/XLINE/RESV attempts
+o) Sending messages to user@server to local targets is now no longer possible,
+   as this was an easy way to bypass +R/+G/+g user modes.
+o) Fixed splicode logic so SPLITNUM now works as expected
+o) Fixed UNDLINE not to require the IP address to be prepended with *@
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.18 (2014-06-09)
+o) Fixed CAP issue for certain clients
+o) Fixed bug where "STATS p" would show an invalid amount of irc-operators
+   in case there are any +H opers
+o) irc-operators may now no longer set a channel +O if they are only halfops (%)
+o) Channel halfops (%) may now no longer (de)halfop other channel members
+o) Channel halfops (%) may now no longer KICK other channel halfops
+o) Fixed compile warnings; code cleanups
+o) Fixed bug where the configuration parser wouldn't truncate the network name
+   if 'general::network_name' contains spaces
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.17 (2014-05-01)
+o) Fixed possible WATCH core
+o) Fixed bug where the configuration parser wouldn't take time units
+   into consideration for the join_flood_time and throttle_time
+   configuration options
+o) Minor LIST optimization
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.16 (2014-04-20)
+o) Fixed undefined behaviour with crypt() returning NULL
+   since glibc2.17 in certain cases
+o) Admins may now see all channel members via "WHO #channel"
+   regardless of channel mode +s
+o) Fixed corrupted "STATS U" output
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.15 (2014-03-29)
+########################################################################
+o) IMPORTANT: ircd binary is now again placed into bin/ instead of sbin/
+########################################################################
+o) mkpasswd in tools/ now defaults to MD5 instead of DES
+o) The USERS command has been removed
+o) Fixed issue with SVSNICK where clients self-collided when changing
+   just the case of the nick name, i.e. somenick -> SomeNicK
+o) Minor code cleanups and cosmetical fixes
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.14 (2014-02-25)
+o) WHOWAS now honors 'serverhide::disable_remote_commands'
+o) Improved TS6 inter-server communication
+o) Minor code cleanups and speed enhancements
+o) Added 'unxline' oper flag
+o) Implemented IRCv3.2 userhost-in-names extension
+o) ircd now allows private RSA keys larger than 2048 bits
+o) Fixed bug where signals stopped from working after restarting
+   the ircd via SIGINT
+o) Fixed bug where certain irc clients could not reconnect via TLS/SSL
+o) Fixed long-standing bug where +p channels have been shown
+   in the WHOIS reply
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.13 (2014-01-07)
+o) Fixed EOB not working for remote servers (resulted in fake direction notices)
+o) Fixed remote client connection notices for servers that are
+   more than one hop away
+o) Fixed bug where the ircd didn't timeout SSL connections that
+   haven't finished the SSL handshake
+o) Fixed several bugs with server hiding
+o) Updated/fixed help files
+o) WHOIS no longer sends a notice to +y operators
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.12 (2013-12-22)
+o) RPL_WHOISMODES now uses the 379 numeric
+o) Serial number is now shown on start up
+o) Fixed possible channel mode desynch with services
+o) Fixed TS6 support with LOCOPS
+o) Minor code cleanups
+o) Fixed file descriptor leak with empty help files
+o) Fixed issue with WEBIRC where hostnames were not validated
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.11 (2013-12-06)
+o) Administrators may now see channel modes in LIST
+o) Fixed compile error on BSD systems when building with kqueue()
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.10 (2013-11-25)
+o) Fixed bug with kqueue() where it occasionally dropped updates
+o) Changed WHOIS to show certificate fingerprint to administrators only
+o) The WHO reply now shows if a nickname has been registered
+   with NickServ. ('r' status flag)
+o) Fixed some flaws with server hiding
+o) Fixed bug where "STATS P" would leak ip addresses to remotely connected
+   administrators, even if 'serverhide::hide_server_ips' was set to 'yes'
+o) Added SVSKILL command
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.9 (2013-11-08)
+o) Added usermode +W. Users connected via a webirc gateway get this
+   mode set by servers.
+o) WHOIS now shows if a client is connected via a webirc gateway
+o) Administrators may now see +s channels a user is in with WHOIS.
+   Secret channels are prepended with a tilde in the WHOIS reply.
+o) Administrators are now able to see all the user modes a user has
+   set via WHOIS
+
+
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.8 (2013-10-25)
+o) Fixed bug that could lead to a desynchronized nick database
    throughout the entire network if using services enforced
    nick names (SVSNICK)
 o) Cleaned up/modernized build system
 o) Add -fstack-protector to CFLAGS if available. Basically checks for
    buffer overflows/stack-smashing attacks
-o) When using anope 1.9 services, /WHOIS now shows the account name
+o) When using anope 1.9/2.0 services, WHOIS now shows the account name
    of a registered/identified client (numeric 330)
-o) Administrators can now see +s channels in /LIST
+o) Administrators can now see +s channels in the LIST reply
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.7 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.7 (2013-08-18)
 o) Fixed issue with channel mode +n having no functionality at all
 o) Fixed SSL certificate fingerprint validation for outgoing server connects
 o) Updated several documentation files
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.6 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.6 (2013-08-02)
 o) Fixed possible core with empty motd files
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.5 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.5 (2013-07-16)
 o) Fixed bug that would prevent servers from linking together
-   if connect::aftype isn't set
+   if 'connect::aftype' isn't set
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.4 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.4 (2013-07-05)
 o) Added 'xline' and 'resv' logging types. See doc/reference.conf
    for more information
-o) Fixed bug where remote /STATS requests were not rate limited
-o) Fixed core with empty auth::spoof entries
+o) Fixed bug where remote STATS requests were not rate limited
+o) Fixed core with empty 'auth::spoof' entries
 o) Increased oper/auth/connect password length limit from 20 to 128
 o) Minor fixes to nickflood control code
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.3 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.3 (2013-06-23)
 o) Fixed possible core on "STATS z"
 o) Revised doc/reference.conf
 o) Fixed broken --disable-libgeoip switch
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.2 Release Notes
-o) Added general::cycle_on_host_change configuration option
-o) Added general::stats_u_oper_only configuration option
-o) Added support for SHA-256 ssl certificate fingerprint based operator{}
-   and connect{} blocks.
-   In conjunction with Anope 1.9.x IRC-services, clients are now also able
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.2 (2013-06-20)
+o) Added 'general::cycle_on_host_change' configuration option
+o) Added 'general::stats_u_oper_only' configuration option
+o) Added support for SHA-256 ssl certificate fingerprint based operator {}
+   and connect {} blocks.
+   In conjunction with Anope 1.9/2.0 IRC-services, clients are now also able
    to automatically identify for their nick with ssl certificate
    fingerprints
-o) Added operator::ssl_connection_required configuration option. See
+o) Added 'operator::ssl_connection_required' configuration option. See
    doc/reference.conf for more information
 o) Added usermode +S (client is connected via SSL/TLS). Allows services
    to keep track of what users are connected via SSL, and allows to see
    ssl-status of remote clients in a /whois
-o) Fixed a server name leak with server hiding enabled. Reported by
-   Adam <adam@anope.org>
+o) Fixed a server name leak with server hiding enabled
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.1 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.1 (2013-06-06)
 ########################################################################
 o) IMPORTANT: moved disable_remote_command configuration directive from
-   general{} block to serverhide{} block
+   general {} block to serverhide {} block
 ########################################################################
 o) Minor code cleanups/performance improvements
 o) Fixed bug where opers could see LOCOPS messages even if they don't have
    the +l mode set
 o) Fixed bug where non-SSL clients could join +S channels on non-SSL servers
-o) Implemented motd{} configuration blocks. See doc/reference.conf for more
+o) Implemented motd {} configuration blocks. See doc/reference.conf for more
    information
 o) "STATS T" shows configured MOTD files
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.0 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.0 (2013-05-23)
 o) Minor code cleanups/performance improvements
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.0rc1 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.0rc1 (2013-05-19)
 o) Fixed broken spoofs
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.0beta5 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.0beta5 (2013-05-15)
 o) Removed 'remote', and 'global_kill' oper flags, and added 'connect',
    'squit', and 'kill' flags for better fine-tuning instead. Whether or
    not a specific action is allowed on a remote server can be controlled
@@ -90,98 +457,97 @@ o) Added 'locops' and 'wallops' to irc-o
 o) Improve/cleanup HELP system
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.0beta4 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.0beta4 (2013-05-09)
 o) Implemented channel mode +M. Clients that haven't identified their
    name with NickServ may not speak in a channel that has this mode set
 o) Fixed weird idletimes shown in /trace
-o) Added 'nononreg' (+R) to general::oper_umodes
+o) Added 'nononreg' (+R) to 'general::oper_umodes'
 o) Added user mode +F (can see remote client connect/exit notices)
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.0beta3 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.0beta3 (2013-05-05)
 o) PCRE support has been dropped
-o) "STATS o" now shows how many times an oper{} block has been used.
-   Similar to STATS x|q"
+o) "STATS o" now shows how many times an operator {} block has been used.
+   Similar to "STATS x|q"
 o) Implemented channel mode +c. Known from other ircds, this mode basically
    prevents users from sending messages including control codes to a channel
    that has this mode set
 o) Fixed bug where bans were not checked against non-channel members when
    sending messages to a channel
-o) Removed channel::quiet_on_ban configuration option. This feature is
+o) Removed 'channel::quiet_on_ban' configuration option. This feature is
    now enabled by default
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.0beta2 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.0beta2 (2013-04-28)
 o) Fixed broken compile with libGeoIP disabled
 o) Code cleanups; working towards stabilization and improved performance
 o) Removed operflag 'nick_changes'. Operators can now set +n at will
-o) Fixed shared{} blocks not working as expected
+o) Fixed shared {} blocks not working as expected
 o) Fixed spoofs not working as expected
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.1.0beta1 Release Notes
-########################################################################
-o) IMPORTANT: name/channel entries can't be stacked any longer within
-   a single resv{} block. Each entry now requires its own resv{} block.
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.1.0beta1 (2013-04-25)
+#######################################################################
+o) IMPORTANT: name/channel entries can't be stacked any longer within a
+   single resv {} block. Each entry now requires its own resv {} block.
    Read doc/reference.conf for more details
 #######################################################################
-o) Added resv::exempt configuration option. Exempt can be either a
+o) Added 'resv::exempt' configuration option. Exempt can be either a
    ISO 3166 alpha-2 two letter country code, or a nick!user@host mask.
    CIDR is supported
-o) Removed channel::restrict_channels configuration option
+o) Removed 'channel::restrict_channels' configuration option
 o) Preliminary libGeoIP support. Currently only used for exempt entries
-   in resv{} blocks
-o) Improved WEBIRC authentication; added 'webirc' to auth::flags.
+   in resv {} blocks
+o) Improved WEBIRC authentication; added 'webirc' to 'auth::flags'.
    A "webirc." spoof is now no longer required
 o) Implemented new memory pool allocator which basically is based upon Tor's
    mempool allocator for Tor cells
 o) Major code cleanups
-o) Implemented new binary database storage for X-,D-,K-,G-Lines and RESVs.
+o) Implemented new binary database storage for X-, D-, K-, G-Lines and RESVs.
    Temporary bans are now stored as well and will persist after a reboot
-o) Channel based resv{} blocks may now contain wildcards
+o) Channel based resv {} blocks may now contain wildcards
 o) NICK/JOIN now shows the actual reason of reserved nick-/channelnames
-o) contrib/ and its content has been removed from the tree
-o) Added serverhide::hide_services configuration option
-o) Added 'nononreg' (+R) to oper::umodes and general::oper_only_modes
-o) Added support for "away-notify" client capability
+o) contrib/ and its content has been enirely removed from the tree
+o) Added 'serverhide::hide_services' configuration option
+o) Added 'nononreg' (+R) to 'oper::umodes' and 'general::oper_only_modes'
+o) Implemented IRCv3.1 away-notify extension
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.0.9 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.0.9 (2013-05-16)
 o) Fixed bug where ircd would sometimes drop a services link because
-   of a missing argument to the SVSMODE command
+   of a missing argument to the "SVSMODE" command
 o) Fixed weird idletimes shown in /trace
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.0.8 Release Notes
-o) "STATS s" now shows configured services{} blocks as well
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.0.8 (2013-04-28)
+o) "STATS s" now shows configured services {} blocks as well
 o) Fixed compile warnings, minor code cleanups and optimizations
 o) Increased nickname history length to 32768
 o) Unidentified/unregistered nicks may not speak in +R channels
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.0.7 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.0.7 (2013-04-12)
 o) Services may now set a channel topic without joining the channel first
-o) Fixed bug where /whois would send empty sockhost information on TS5
-   servers
+o) Fixed bug where WHOIS would send empty sockhost information on TS5 servers
 o) Remote server connection and split notices now go to new usermode +e.
    These previously used usermode +x.
 o) Services may now change the host of a specific user
    via "SVSMODE <timestamp> <target> +x <hostname>"
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.0.6 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.0.6 (2013-01-28)
 o) Fix bug where idle time sometimes is 0 even if the client didn't
    send any private message
 o) Fixed possible core in try_parse_v4_netmask()
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.0.5 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.0.5 (2013-01-24)
 ########################################################################
 o) IMPORTANT: nick and topic lengths are now configurable via ircd.conf.
    A max_nick_length, as well as a max_topic_length configuration option
-   can now be found in the serverinfo{} block
+   can now be found in the serverinfo {} block
 ########################################################################
-o) Fixed build on GNU/Hurd as reported by Dominic Hargreaves
+o) Fixed build on GNU/Hurd
 o) Fixed log files not getting reopened after /rehash
 o) Improved logging of configuration file issues
 o) ircd.pid has been accidentally saved in /var instead of /var/run
@@ -191,75 +557,73 @@ o) INFO now also shows configured values
    and 'stats_e_disabled'
 o) m_webirc.c is now officially supported, and has been moved from contrib/
    to modules/
-o) /whois, /stats p, and /trace may now show fake idle times depending on
-   how the new class::min_idle and class::max_idle configuration directives
-   have been configured. This feature basically works in the same
-   way as it does in csircd
+o) /whois, /stats p, and /trace may now show fake idle times depending
+   on how the new 'class::min_idle' and class::max_idle configuration
+   directives have been configured. This feature basically works in the
+   same way as it does in csircd
 o) The configuration parser now does support 'year' and 'month' units
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.0.4 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.0.4 (2013-01-02)
 o) Fixed possible core on USERHOST/ISON with optimization enabled
-o) Fixed bug where can_flood sometimes didn't work as expected
+o) Fixed bug where 'can_flood' sometimes didn't work as expected
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.0.3 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.0.3 (2012-12-24)
 o) Fixed core on UNDLINE
 o) XLINE/KLINE/RESV/DLINE/SQUIT and KILL now have the same default reason
    if a reason hasn't been specified
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.0.2 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.0.2 (2012-12-20)
 o) Minor updates to the build system
 o) Fixed broken --enable-assert configure switch
 o) Fixed bug where timed events stopped from working if the system's
    clock is running backwards
-o) STATS q|Q now shows how many times a resv{} block has been matched
+o) STATS q|Q now shows how many times a resv {} block has been matched
 o) Fixed contributed WEBIRC module
 o) IRC operators may now again see server generated nick rejection notices
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.0.1 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.0.1 (2012-11-04)
 o) Fixed broken CIDR support for CHALLENGE based irc operator logins
-o) Fixed class limits not properly applying to oper{} blocks
+o) Fixed class limits not properly applying to operator {} blocks
 o) Fixed possible TBURST desynchronization with services
-o) Fixed TBURST sending server's name to clients if it's a hidden server
+o) Fixed TBURST from leaking the server name if it's a hidden server
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8.0.0 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.0.0 (2012-10-18)
 o) Fixed an off-by-one with spoofs. Spoofs are now also checked for
    invalid characters
-o) Removed general::use_whois_actually configuration directive. This is
-   now enabled by default
+o) Removed 'general::use_whois_actually' configuration directive.
+   This is now enabled by default
 o) Minor SQUIT handling fixes
 o) Fixed bancache not being updated on CHGHOST/CHGIDENT
-o) Fixed possible TBURST desynchronization with services
-o) Fixed TBURST sending server's name to clients if it's a hidden server
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8rc1 Release Notes
-o) Removed general::client_flood configuration option and added the
-   new 'recvq' configuration directive to class{} blocks.
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.0.0rc1 (2012-09-28)
+o) Removed 'general::client_flood' configuration option and added the
+   new 'recvq' configuration directive to class {} blocks.
    The max size of a receive queue can be seen in "STATS Y"
    for each class
 o) Allow the '[' and ']' characters in server description
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8beta3 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.0.0beta3 (2012-08-24)
 o) Fixed wrong syntax in several language files
 o) Removed &localchannels
 o) PRIVMSG to opers@some.server is no longer supported
 o) Fixed bug that could lead to topic desynchronization
-o) Removed serverhide::disable_hidden configuration option
+o) Removed 'serverhide::disable_hidden' configuration option
 o) Dropped ircd-hybrid-6 GLINE compatibility mode
 o) Removed use_invex, use_except and use_knock configuration options.
    These features are now enabled by default
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8beta2 Release Notes
-o) channel::disable_fake_channels now also disables ascii 29 (mIRC italic)
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.0.0beta2 (2012-07-21)
+o) 'channel::disable_fake_channels' now also disables ascii 29 (mIRC italic)
    when set to yes
-o) Added channel::max_chans_per_oper configuration directive. The old way
+o) Added 'channel::max_chans_per_oper' configuration directive. The old way
    was to let operators join three times the amount of max_chans_per_user
 o) Replaced MODLOAD, MODUNLOAD, MODRELOAD, MODLIST and MODRESTART commands
    with the new MODULE command which can be fed with the LOAD, UNLOAD, RELOAD
@@ -273,7 +637,7 @@ o) Improved TS6 support
 o) Channel keys/passwords are now case sensitive
 
 
--- ircd-hybrid-8beta1 Release Notes
+-- Noteworthy changes in version 8.0.0beta1 (2012-05-28)
 o) Implemented full services support, including but not limited to the
    following changes:
    - Added SVSNICK, and SVSMODE command handlers
@@ -286,8 +650,8 @@ o) Implemented full services support, in
    - Added usermode +R (only registered clients may send a private message)
    - Added channelmode +R (only registered clients may join that channel)
    - Various services shortcuts have been added (/NS, /CS, /NICKSERV, /CHANSERV, etc.)
-   - Added services{} block to ircd.conf
-   - Added services_name directive to general{} block
+   - Added services {} block to ircd.conf
+   - Added services_name directive to general {} block
    - Added GLOBOPS mainly for services compatibility, but can be used by operators, too
 o) Removed RKLINE and RXLINE commands. Regular expression based bans should
    only be added via ircd.conf
@@ -296,15 +660,15 @@ o) Added 'globops', 'restart', 'dline',
    these flags control
 o) Removed Idle-time klines
 o) Cleaned up modules API. Old modules won't work anymore
-o) Removed general::burst_away configuration directive. AWAY bursts are now
-   controlled via connect::flags explicitly
+o) Removed 'general::burst_away' configuration directive. AWAY bursts are now
+   controlled via 'connect::flags' explicitly
 o) Introduced new logging subsystem including log rotation based on
    file sizes. Log timestamp format is ISO8601 now
 o) Added support for remote D-lines
 o) Added usermode +H which is basically a replacement for the hidden_admin and
    hidden_oper operator flags. With usermode +H, irc operator status can now
    be hidden even on remote servers
-o) Added CIDR support for operator{} blocks
+o) Added CIDR support for operator {} blocks
 o) Removed the servlink program. ircd-hybrid can now make use of
    SSL/TLS for inter-server communication.
    NOTE: compressed server links are of course still available, but a SSL/TLS
@@ -313,8 +677,8 @@ o) Removed 'ssl_server_protocol' configu
    added 'ssl_client_method' and 'ssl_server_method' instead.
    Both of these options can now be changed at runtime
 o) Oper login IDs are no longer limited to NICKLEN*2
-o) Removed channel::burst_topicwho configuration option. Topicsetters are
-   now sent by default
+o) Removed 'channel::burst_topicwho' configuration option. This feature is now
+   enabled by default
 o) "STATS Y|y" now reports CIDR limits as well
 o) Added m_webirc.c to contrib/
 o) Overall code cleanup and speed improvements