NewLife Christian Message Exchange Network By-Laws Version 0.3 (26 August 1990) I. PREFACE. The NewLife International Message Exchange (NewLife) Electronic Bulletin Board Network (known hereafter as "NewLife," or the "Net") is a multi-tier telecommunications network. NewLife functions as a service organization utilizing privately owned communication software linked throughout its system by telephone transmission. The existence of this network is to magnify the Lord of life, Jesus Christ. We live to the praise of His glory. Our privilege as "members of the household of the faith" is to know Him and to make Him known. We believe that Christ is continuing to call out a people from the lost of humanity for His Kingdom, and those He is calling, He is bringing into this Kingdom by new birth through the Holy Spirit. All He saves He edifies and builds up every son and daughter He receives. As His servants, we dedicate NewLife to His purpose and program. This network is comprised of one central "Network Hub," or "NetHub." It may contain an unlimited number of "Regional Hubs" ("RH"), all of which interface with the NetHub. Each Regional Hub may support as many "Nodes," individual Bulletin Boards as equipment and time permit. II. OWNERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION NewLife is privately owned and maintained company. Ownership is vested in the: NewLife Christian Message Exchange Network Inc. headquartered in California, Maryland. The business of NewLife is accomplished by a Board of Directors, composed of 5 voting members. Membership is listed in Appendix A. The Board reserves the right to admit, or refuse, any Bulletin Board (BB) or managing Systems Operator (SYSOP) as a participating member, node, in the NewLife Net. The Board further reserves the right to remove, or suspend, network access of any individual, or node, or Regional Hub for grievous misconduct considered detrimental to the spirit and intent of NewLife and these bylaws. III. DAILY OPERATIONS The Board shall designate one of its members to act as Operations Officer to run the day-to-day operations of NewLife and to manage node and RH membership applications. IV. PARTICIPATION LINK NewLife requires each participating node to provide to its end-users a common link which may be a forum, door, or other software device to ensure that all nodes have a common channel available throughout NewLife. The Board will define and provide the framework and access mechanism for this common channel. A BBS must provides this common channel and notify its users of the scope, intent, and any special rules of the common channel. V. SCOPE AND PURPOSE It is understood that NewLife's overall objectives and goals are dedicated to provide an information service to its most important participant, the Christian BBS user community. A. Purpose. The purpose of NewLife is to provide participating RHs and nodes a means of communicating with each other through common forum areas which are "relayed" via the central NetHub. NewLife's primary purpose is considered social in nature. B. Terminology. 1. "RH" and "Node" refer to PCRelay Hub and PCRelay Node software as used by BBS Sysops to participate in NewLife. 2. "Relay" is used to describe the transfer of forum messages from one node (BBS) to another node via an RH. 3. Network. A "Regional Hub", or "RH is comprised of one Hub and two or more nodes. A BBS Sysop "hosts" an RH and this host BBS is one of the RH's nodes. To be considered an RH, a hub has to have at least two nodes "relaying" through it. C. Size The physical size of NewLife may be no more than the number of nodes and RHs as prescribed by the SC. Each RH may have non-NewLife-relayed nodes (that use PCRelay software). However, such nodes may NOT be authorized to carry NewLife's common channel. D. Software 1. All member nodes and RHs in NewLife (including non-NewLife relayed nodes) must use legally registered, purchased PCRelay node and/hub software. 2. All member nodes and RHs in NewLife need to use legally purchased, obtained, and/or registered BBS software which are the versions supported by the PCRelay software as used by NewLife. E. RECEIVER-ONLY MESSAGES NewLife maintains the capability and capacity to send and receive messages that are flagged as "Receiver-Only" (R/O), or "Routed Mail." Messages so flagged are not to be considered by and user as actual "private" messages. The purpose of the "R/O" and "Routed Mail" flags are intended solely to provide a means to limit the possible number of nodes that may have access to the messages for display purposes. 1. Pursuant to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986, 18 USC 2510 et. seq., all BBS SYSOPs participating within NewLife must be aware that there are no facilities provided by NewLife for sending or receiving confidential electronic communications. 2. All participating node and RH SYSOPS need to agree, as a condition of network membership and participation, that they will notify anyone reading or exchanging messages within all NewLife forums on their BBSs of all applicable by-laws rules and that NewLife has no facilities for exchanging confidential electronic communications. A suitable bulletin and/or news display should be placed in a prominent place within the individual NewLife BBS indicating that there are no confidential communications capabilities within NewLife. 3. All messages posted in relayed forums are deemed to be public. All nodes and RHs shall deem all messages posted within the NewLife's forums to be readily accessible to the general public at all times. If any person posts a message within any NewLife forum, his/her acceptance of this policy is heretofore implied. 4. NewLife and all member nodes and RHs assume absolutely no accountability or liability whatsoever for any violations of this policy by any and all users of NewLife. VI. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES A. The individual node SYSOP is responsible for enforcing the following general regulations: 1. No illegal activities of any kind are permitted on the NewLife Network. 2. No BBS Advertising, except in an authorized BBS Ad Forum. 3. No aliases, except where previously authorized to protect the well-being of the user. All use of this procedure, must be certified by voice or writing at the Node level. Any infraction is subject to immediate discipline by the NewLife Board. 4. Being a BBS dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ, differences of opinion in the matters of doctrine and practice are understandable. Regardless of opinion, views, interpretation, etc., NewLife Network does not advocate, nor will it permit the Net to serve as a forum for denigrating another Christian, non- Christian, friend, foe, or antagonist. This service exists for the evangelism and edification of the faith of our Saviour. It is not the intent of NewLife or the SC to interfere with any SYSOP's authority on his/her own BBS. Yet, all "relayed" forums on nodes and RHs must agree to these provisions, and are considered subject to the jurisdiction of these by-laws. Anyone advised by the Board, or its delegated representatives, to cease and desist any action, communication tread, etc. the informed party will immediately respond as directed. Failure to comply immediately, will prompt the Board to remove the participation privilege of the offending party. A detailed explanation of these regulations in provided in Section VII, entitle RULES AND REGULATIONS. B. The Regional Hub (RH) SYSOPs have the freedom to solicit, participation in the NewLife Network. However, authorization to grant NewLife membership, to prospective nodes is solely the province of the NewLife Board. 1. RH SYSOPs who solicit prospective nodes need to advise applicants: a. of NewLife's four basic rules, listed above. b. that the purchase of PCRelay software does not automatically give priority authorization to any BBS for a RH's vacancy availability list. There may be occasions when a prospective node may have been pre-approved by the Regional Hub and the Board. This pre-approval does not in any way obligate the author of PCRelay software to give priority of sales to the applicant. c. that the Regional Hub SYSOP will provide to the Board with an admission application form which details the applicant's particulars, including: the applicant's name, voice and BBS telephone numbers, address, BBS name, etc., an whether applicant has node software or wishes to purchase node software. 2. The Regional Hubs are responsible for enforcing these by-laws within their region. A RH must relay mail a minimum of five times a week unless it is technically infeasible to do so. The Board will resolve any problems regarding the potential overlapping of regions. No RH should intentionally shut down for more than 24 consecutive hours without first making provisions for the continued relaying of the routine messages for its nodes. 3. RHs should make every feasible effort to accommodate all forum requests for their nodes as their equipment and configuration allows. 4. When an RH has been notified by the Board to remove the access of a node, the RH should remove the node's access as soon as possible. In the event that the RH does not comply with an Board-directed node-access-removal request, the RH's access may be removed at the NETHUB level. 5. The RH has the authority to remove the access of one or more of its nodes for one day if the situation warrants such action. Immediately following any access removal, the RH needs to notify the NewLife NetHub manager by voice. C. Forum Coordinator(s) (FC) and Forum Hosts (FH). 1. The Forum Coordinator is the Board's designated representative. Duties include: a. Administrate forums and designates Forum Hosts, b. maintain forum lists, c. advise the Board regarding forum problems. The Board will appoint the Forum Coordinator for a term as specified by the Board policy. 2. Forum Hosts are designated by the Forum Coordinator. Forum Hosts are responsible for their forums and guide the discussion areas. They are to administer Board policy as representatives of the NewLife Network. The Host is responsible for providing to the Forum Coordinator a description of the forum, it's aims, and the scope of the forum. General duties include: a. Provide bulletins to nodes carrying their forum for the purpose of clarification and/ or information; b. Define what should and should not be discussion areas within the forum; c. Provide guidance to all concerned with legal responsibilities and/or disclaimers. 3. The Forum Host for the General Forum, or any forum or device used by NewLife as a net-wide E-Mail and message distribution channel which services all nodes within NewLife, is to be a Board member. The Common Forum Assistant Host is not required to be a current Board member. D. NetHub Operations. 1. The NETHUB equipment and the trademarks "NewLife" and "NewLife" are the property of: NewLife Christian Message Exchange Network, Inc. 2. The Board will make available a forum for the general administration affairs of NewLife. This forum is open to sysops, co-sysops, the Forum Coordinator and forum hosts, it shall be called NLADMIN Forum. 3. The NETHUB Sysop coordinates the primary mail exchange time for each RH connected to the NETHUB. Each RH has this primary time to ensure that all routine mail exchanges are accomplished in a timely manner. The NETHUB Sysop publishes the primary mail exchange times to ensure that no RH deliberately intrudes during another RH's primary mail exchange time-window. Only RHs may relay through the NetHub. E. Amendments 1. Though the NewLife Board is ultimately responsible for implementing changes to these by-laws, any NewLife node or RH Sysop, Co-Sysop, Forum Host or the Forum Coordinator may petition the Board for changes in the procedure as established at any time. However, such requests and petitions and any and all discussions thereof MUST be conducted in the designated general NewLife administration forum, as specified (paragraph D, section VI above). VII. RULES AND REGULATIONS A. No Illegal Activities 1. Illegal Action Illegal activities, including promotion of illegal acts and promotion of software copyright infringement, will not be allowed in NewLife. Such activities constitute a grievous reason for the potential removal of the node from NewLife, and may necessitate compensatory action against the violator for any legal liabilities such activities may cause NewLife. 2. Improper Communication No offensive or abusive language of any kind is permitted on the newlife net. The use of any word, group of words, expression, comment, suggestion, or proposal which is profane, obscene, lewd, filthy indecent, or is ethnically or racially demeaning is strictly prohibited within the network. B. No BBS Advertising Participating node SYSOPs will not relay nor allow to be relayed messages that contain information that advertise BBS' except in a forum designated for that purpose. 1. BBS Tag Lines that contain telephone numbers and BBS names are permitted as long as such tag lines are a requirement for networking and reader software whose tag lines cannot be disabled (such as PCRelay software). 2. There may not be more than 2 tag lines within any message (one of these tag lines must be the required NewLife node tag line). More than 2 tag lines is considered discourteous to those node Sysops having to relay long distance and may be considered as grievous reason for removal of access if used continuously. Tasteless tag lines are discouraged. C. No aliases Participating SYSOPs within NewLife should not allow messages to be relayed within NewLife from individuals who are using aliases. 1. An alias is defined as a name used by a caller whose intention is to prevent identification of the caller by the SYSOPs and NewLife. SYSOPs of each participating BBS are responsible for ensuring that only validated BBS members are allowed to exchange messages within forums that are relayed within NewLife. 2. An alias is also defined as a true derivative or true name of a participating member who changes his/her name to circumvent another node's INSULATE.NET. 3. It is NewLife's understanding that each node SYSOP is responsible for the names used on his/her own BBS. If the SYSOP grants a user the right to use an alias, for what the SYSOP deems is a valid reason, such as security, and that alias is not apparently an alias (such as Dr. Midnight, which is) then there is no need to inform NewLife of that alias. 4. Duplicate names within NewLife, such as three John Smiths, will be handled by the node SYSOPS of the involved boards in a manner which would not cause an alias to be relayed (example, John Smith, Johnny Smith, J. Smith or Johnnie Smith). 5. Being a BBS dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ, differences of opinion in the matters of doctrine and practice are understandable. Regardless of opinion, views, interpretation, etc., NewLife Network does not advocate, nor will it permit the Net to serve as a forum for denigrating another Christian, non- Christian, friend, foe, or antagonist. This service exists for the evangelism and edification of the faith of our Saviour. D. Although PCRelay software may allow the "file send" feature without RH control, unauthorized "sends" of files - especially global file-sends - is prohibited. Every RH within the chain between nodes which either "sends" or "receives" a file should approve such actions. An exception list (with such items such as official PCRelay software releases which are sent to RHs, etc.) is provided in Appendix B. E. There are some National Forum Names (such as GENERAL) which needs to be used on all participating nodes to prevent possible confusion. The current list of forums which must be called by their National Forum Name is contained in Appendix C. F. Messages contained in forums relayed through the NETHUB are considered in the public domain. A "shared" forum is one that is relayed to or between other networks or BBS systems that have the capability of responding to such "shared" forum mail. "Shared" forum shall not be permitted at this time. G. It is understood that node and RH SYSOPS take vacations. NewLife requests that a vacationing SYSOP delegate to another responsible Sysop the ability to monitor the BBS in his/her absence. In the event that any node does not relay within 3 consecutive days, the RH may decline to hold mail until the node SYSOP has contacted the RH. It is also understood that users may commit violations of NewLife's rules in the absence of a full time SYSOP and that immediate action may not be able to be taken by the appointed SYSOP. This type of event does not constitute a grievous reason for removal of a node. H. Forum message bases may not be sent to non-newlife relaying nodes! I. From time to time the Board may authorize the sending of files, other than those listed in Appendix B, through NewLife from authors and/or vendors in support of their programs. This will be done with the advance consent of all RHs involved. VIII. FEES AND CHARGES A. There will be an annual membership fee to the NewLife Network, as the Lord may lead. This fee will be paid by all participating Relay Hubs, and individual nodes and will be paid directly to the NetNode. This fee shall be left up to the Sysops of those participating Relay Hubs and individual nodes as the Lord leads. These monies will be used to continue to upgrade hardware for more efficiency in running NetNode. Check should be made payable to SMCIS BBS as SMCIS will be acting as NetNode. If and when NetNode changes checks will be made to that BBS hosting the NetNode. B. No node may charge its users specifically for access to the NewLife forums beyond whatever subscription rate, if any, they charge anyone else. Appendix A Steering Committee Members Sean Isham - GRACE BASE SYSOP 901-452-0168 HST Walt Benson - THE CHRISTIAN CONNECTION 219-464-9164 300/1200 Dan Byrnes - LOGOS SYSOP 408-899-4552 HST DJ Chuang - SMCIS CO-SYSOP 301-862-3160 HST Appendix B Authorized "Send" List The following files may be transmitted unsolicited to RHs using the Qmail4 software's "send" feature: Qmail4 (Not included) NLBLxxxx.ZIP NLFORUM.LST NLNODE.LST The following files may be transmitted unsolicited to RHs, provided the RHs have provided the "sender" a "blanket" authorization: NewLife/NewLife NewsLetter or the Morning Star News Letter Appendix C National Forum Names That Must Be Used On All Participating BBSs GENERAL NLADMIN END OF BY-LAWS