I have an IRC server that runs fine, except from everything i've read, the default operator setting is supposed to be that the first person to join a channel gets the operator status... and that does not happen on my server... so 1) is that even true/possible? and 2) what's the most basic O: line that would make this happen? I don't need to specify certain usernames or ip ranges or anything like that... I just want the first person who enters to get Op..

a) What IRCd software? This is slightly important.
b) Find the documentation for your IRCd and ask it.
c) Or, why not ask on their support forums?
d) You're mixing things. Olines are for IRCops, not for channel ops. +o to the first person to join is the default but should be configurable. Also make sure that your services, if any, are not removing the +o, because if they are that's a different problem.

Hey... Sorry.. I did not realize the O: lines were for the IRCOps only.. Not sure if this helps, but I installed irc2.11.2p1.

I'm sorry I don't know much about this.. I just wanted a basic IRC server that my team could use as a backup when our instant messaging server goes down.. And for that situation, I know it's not super important that it doesn't auto-op the first person in the room... but it's bugging me that it doesn't work so I'm determined to fix it.

I've tried looking in the doc files and online for more information and it just confuses me more.. Would the configuration for the channel operator be in the ircd.conf or in config.h? Or am I totally in the wrong place? I've made sure that my I: line in ircd.conf (which is basiclly "I:*@*:::::") is not lower case indicating restricted mode.

*after further reading, maybe i just need a bot?