#ubuntu
1) To active for new users
2) Not to active for those providing support
3) Separating the channels will divide those providing support
4) The default hide joins/parts sounds like a useful idea
5) 1,475 users isn't that many
6) 165 are marked as away but I don't feel that does justice for the actual count
7) #ubuntu-meta looks like an excellent idea.
__ I joined the channel. After seeing this work one time, I like it.

Example of #4:
Before:
13:37 -!- kaeser_ [n=Kaeser@189.26.49.41.dynamic.adsl.gvt.net.br] has quit [Client Quit]
13:37 -!- zilla1 [<email address hidden>] has joined #ubuntu
13:37 -!- kaeser_ [n=Kaeser@189.26.49.41.dynamic.adsl.gvt.net.br] has joined #ubuntu
13:37 < sebsebseb> ctmjr: oh ok,  well yes it will flood with peoples name when they leave or re join, but  it could be useful to see that, so you know if things are working properly or not
13:37 < colin__> That's exactly what I have. A EUB 9706 wireless N USB adapter, Ralink based chip (802.11 b/g/n)
13:37 -!- acuster [<email address hidden>] has quit ["Leaving"]
13:38 -!- squelos [n=squelos@85-170-117-94.rev.numericable.fr] has joined #ubuntu
13:38 -!- squelos [n=squelos@85-170-117-94.rev.numericable.fr] has quit [Client Quit]
13:38 -!- will__ [<email address hidden>] has quit [Connection timed out]
13:38 -!- jcape [n=jcape@41.sub-75-205-200.myvzw.com] has joined #ubuntu
13:38 -!- hubert_ [<email address hidden>] has quit [Client Quit]
13:38 -!- danielrmt [n=danielrm@189.59.187.25] has joined #ubuntu
13:38 -!- jose__ [n=jose@201.82.129.205] has joined #ubuntu
13:38 -!- dany_boy____ [<email address hidden>] has joined #ubuntu
13:38 -!- jMyles [<email address hidden>] has joined #ubuntu
13:38 < jose__> join #mapserv
13:38 -!- ravennium [<email address hidden>] has joined #ubuntu
13:38 < qwyeth> colin__,  this device isn't a normal wireless adapter...  it's designed to make configuration in windows easy; it seems that when you push the button to activate it, it's supposed to pop up something in windows that circumvents typical configuration steps
13:38 < qwyeth> that might mean that without the full-fledged windows driver you're hosed
13:38 -!- dany_boy____ [<email address hidden>] has quit [Client Quit]
13:38 -!- raf_ [n=raf@190.87.253.143] has quit [Client Quit]

After:
13:37 < sebsebseb> ctmjr: oh ok,  well yes it will flood with peoples name when they leave or re join, but  it could be useful to see that, so you know if things are working properly or not
13:37 < colin__> That's exactly what I have. A EUB 9706 wireless N USB adapter, Ralink based chip (802.11 b/g/n)
13:38 < jose__> join #mapserv
13:38 < qwyeth> colin__,  this device isn't a normal wireless adapter...  it's designed to make configuration in windows easy; it seems that when you push the button to activate it, it's supposed to pop up something in windows that circumvents typical configuration steps
13:38 < qwyeth> that might mean that without the full-fledged windows driver you're hosed

A combination of hiding joins/parts by default along with utilizing #ubuntu-meta would probably take this issue a long way. After all, it's not us that have issues providing support; it's the users that are overwhelmed trying to get support.

Additionally, there tends to be a lot of "social chatter" in there. I believe that this should be firmly removed and placed into #ubuntu-offtopic. Eliminating this would go a long way as well. I personally feel that many ops are too lax here because they feel dealing with them will cause more noise than letting them go. However, if they were to impose this strict enforcement; we would see a growth in awareness that #ubuntu is not a social channel.

This is just my 2¢.