Sound Bytes International Musicians' E-Mail Network Member/User Policy and Practices Copyright (c) 1996 Sound Bytes Release v.1.0 03-22-96 The Administration does not intend interfere with any Sysops' authority on their own bbs systems. All Sound Bytes Network participating systems must abide by all present and, or, future network rules. The Sound Bytes Network was created, and is owned by, Tony Szablowski, all rights reserved. All Sound Bytes Network rules and regulations are enforced by the Net Administrator, Tony Szablowski. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � General Information � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� The Sound Bytes Network is a system of bulletin boards linked together through telecommunications devices that share common message conferences, which are echoed between these bulletin boards via respective "Hubs." The Sound Bytes Network is a voluntary service provided by participating System Operators, their respective bulletin board systems, and The Merchants of Venus BBS. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � User Rules & Policy � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� A: Flaming or similar personal attacks on this network are prohibited. Derogatory, racial, ethnic, or other such remarks will not be tolerated and are grounds for expulsion from the network. B: Profane, abusive or offensive language, indecent, or demeaning posts are strictly prohibited. Abusive, offensive, or lewd graphics are prohibited. Topics deemed in poor taste, immoral, or unethical by Admin are prohibited. Insulting, slanderous, abusive, or instigative posts are also prohibited. C: Quoting size is limited to what is NECESSARY for "train of thought." Fancy box-quoting utilities are banned from use in the Sound Bytes Network. BBS-specific software, for example, Wildcat! BBS "@xx@" codes, are prohibited in any Sound Bytes conference. Tagline quoting is not to be let out of hand. Excessive tagline quoting prohibited. D: No illegal activities will be tolerated, including, but not limited to, PIRACY, PHREAKING, or other CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES in violation of any and all laws in the state of New Jersey or any other state, union or sovereign nation. The Sound Bytes Network, The Merchants of Venus BBS, and it's owners and/or operators may not be held responsible for any action that is taken by any law enforcement agencies because of messages originating from or appearing in any Sound Bytes Network message conference. The Merchants of Venus BBS and all member boards agree to cooperate fully with any legitimate law enforcement agency in any investigation pertaining to the messages within this network. E: No warranties expressed or implied, are made by the network or by any participating nodes regarding the contents or subject matter contained within network messages. The Merchants of Venus BBS and The Sound Bytes Network, its operators and, or, owners, assume no responsibility for any damage to, or actions take against, a member system because of messages carried in this network. F: Encryption of any type, for any reason, is prohibited in all Sound Bytes conferences. English is the only language to be used anywhere within The Sound Bytes echoes. G: BBS advertisements are STRICTLY prohibited in ANY Sound Bytes conference. Fast cash, get rich quick, or MLM posts are illegal and never tolerated. Violators will be prosecuted. Any such posts are grounds for instant removal and the poster being banned from The Sound Bytes Network. Donation requests, unless specified in an advertisement for a public event or band newsletter are prohibited. This does NOT include requests from Shareware or Freeware software authors. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � Sysop Rules & Policy � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 A: Messages on this network are public and accessible to every user on every node of this network. Limited access to some conferences will be based on security level. The Administration conference should be restricted to SysOps only. Remember that even "private" messages can usually be read by other SysOps or Co-SysOps! It is NOT the responsibility of the Admin or owners of The Sound Bytes Network to inform and, or, remind your users this. B: Network SysOps have the ability and responsibility to monitor the messages routed through their Hubs and Nodes, and are responsible for "policing" their own system's users. C: Real names MUST be used. ALIASES or HANDLES are NOT allowed in any Sound Bytes conference, unless the user was given specific permission by the Admin to do so. D: Messages should be contained within suitable conferences that address the subject thread. Please name your Sound Bytes conferences something along the subject of that pertaining echo so users will know what each Sound Bytes echo is about. Continuous posting of off topic messages will not be tolerated. Conference Moderators, appointed by the Network Administrator, have the right and obligation to monitor for such activity, and take whatever action is deemed appropriate, including, but not limited to, requesting that a SysOp electronically "bar" or suspend a user from The Sound Bytes Network either permanently or for a specified length of time. Failure of a Sound Bytes member system to act on a Moderator's request is reason for appeal by the Moderator to the Network Administrator for further action, including, but not limited to, the possible suspension or expulsion of the system from the network. Any user found to be in violation of any network rule will be issued a warning, and/or on the judgement of the Network Administrator, be prevented from accessing any or all network conferences from ALL network nodes. In other words, a strict, but fair, policy should be adhered to by all nodes and hubs in The Sound Bytes Network. E: The right to participate in the entity known as Sound Bytes Network is at the sole discretion of the Network Administrator or his appointed delegates. The only recourse to appeal any decision is to appeal directly to the Network Administrator. ALL DECISIONS MADE BY THE NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR ARE FINAL. You and your users are granted access to this network by the Network Administrator or his delegates. This privilege may be revoked at any time without prior notice. This should only happen if a flagrant violation of the policy is determined. No system is guaranteed the right to carry or participate in The Sound Bytes Network or any of its conferences. F: The Network Administrator may, at his discretion, assemble a body of member systems to form a Committee to oversee the operation of The Sound Bytes Network. This Committee shall have the vested power to make any and all decisions regarding the rules of and operation of the network with the same authority as if these decisions were made be the Network Admin. However, the Network Admin maintains the right and power to veto any and all decisions made by this body. The Network Administrator will appoint the members of this body to their respective posts. The Network Admin also reserves to right to remove a member from, or disband the Committee in it's entirety. If the Committee so chooses, future appointments to this Committee may be made by a vote of the current members of the Committee in which majority rules, again subject to final approval by the Network Administrator. G: All Policy and Practices' revisions, deletions or changes will be made by the Network Administrator and/or the Administrative Committee, subject to the Network Administrator's approval. H: All systems applying for Hub status are REQUIRED to carry all conferences available on the network, and to poll their Hub DAILY for new mail. Any Hub not in compliance may be dropped from the Network, or to Node level. Exceptions may be made by the Network Administrator on a case-by-case basis. Nodes are only required to carry the any conference marked "REQUIRED" in the conference list, and may poll their Hub for mail as little as twice a week (although daily is encouraged). Tony Szablowski, Network Administrator The Merchants of Venus BBS March 22, 1996