TotalFreedom has been built under the foundation of a freedom server. We have tried to implement this over the years through the use of the free-op system that gave everyone op-level permissions. While a solution that was fine at the time, over the years these shortcomings have gotten more and more noticeable. I propose we resolve this issue plaguing our server for years by removing the free-op system and replacing it with a permission nodes system, retaining the freedom aspect in the process.
"The server's whole point is free-op. Removing it removes the whole point of the server"
A common misconception is that we have been a free-op server since the beginning. I've done my homework and found that this isn't the case. We were built on giving players as much freedom as possible, but we were never a free-OP server at the beginning. Mark's post notes this in [his post about the server's history](http://web.archive.org/web/2019092706…om-history-born quite well:
Quote\@markbyron Even before the name of Total Freedom came to be, the concept of allowing players maximum OP like privileges was in play - not usual for public servers then or now.
He includes "like" for a reason. This is because in the past, operator permissions weren't given out freely until February 2011. This was a simple time back then, when most plugins we had didn't fucking crash the server or enable the use of server-crashing exploits. Times have changed. We must adapt, or be left in the past.
"We don't have the developer resources for this"
I'm willing to step in and implement this personally. I've done it before, and I'll do it again. You have my word.
Conclusion
To stay strong on a technical level, we must have a solid foundation. Over the years the existing technical foundation of a free-op server has withered away, and now we must move on to a matured permission system. One that we can manage more easily. One which can reduce the effort it would take to implement suggestions or fix permissions-related issues. To me, it's about time we consider using permission nodes. A system that works reliably, flexibly, and overall more favorably for a server like ours.