Custom Real Name / GECOS

Real Name, also called GECOS, is an IRC identity field. It is often shown at the end of a WHOIS line.

Example:

nickname is ~ident@host * im the best

In that example, im the best is the Real Name / GECOS value.

Why it matters

Some users like to customise this field because it is part of their visible IRC identity. It can be a short profile line, a project label, or any normal text allowed by Eggy BNC rules.

Premium users can change Real Name / GECOS from the dashboard.

How to test it

After saving a new value, run:

/whois yournick

Some clients do not refresh your own WHOIS view clearly, so checking from another connection or asking someone else can help.

Why reconnect happens

IRC servers receive Real Name/GECOS during registration. If you are already connected, the server may not accept a live Real Name change without reconnecting.

For that reason, saving a new Real Name can reconnect the affected user-managed IRC network. This is expected. It does not mean the whole BNC service restarted.

Vhost versus Real Name

A vhost affects the host part of:

nick!ident@host

Real Name affects the text after the asterisk in WHOIS:

nick is ident@host * Real Name text

Changing one does not automatically change the other.

What happens when Premium expires

Custom Real Name / GECOS is Premium-only. When Premium expires, the expiry worker can reset it to the Free default.

Do not use Real Name for abuse, impersonation, evasion, harassment, misleading service names, or anything that violates network or Eggy BNC rules.