The World of Computer Software/The World of Computer Software.iso/uni130.zip/UNINET.TXT

Text File | 1992-11-18 | 17KB | 369 lines

                        ■  WHAT IS U'NI-net?  ■


Thanks for downloading this information file concerning U'NI-net, the
network for users.

The purpose of this document is to let you know a little bit more about
the fastest growing, best managed network to date.


PURPOSE:
-------

        U'NI (Pronounced "You and I") has one simple goal: promote the
        exchange of information between people for people.  As a
        distributor of electronic mail, we focus our efforts on the
        users eliminating almost all of the political infrastructure
        that can be found in any other national network. This focusing
        allows quality, current information to be distributed quickly
        to everyone.


ACTIONS:
-------

        To get the latest quality information requires the right
        connections. Boy do we sure have them. We are supported in
        several conferences by people who have actual experience in
        the products they are talking about. Our connections are
        bolstered by our cross echoing agreement with Smartnet. This
        cross echo allows us to offer the user and sysop a political,
        trouble free network without sacrificing product support from
        companies like Hayes, PKWare, Quarterdeck, and US Robotics.

        Our connections also count on our users. Many of our users are
        working professionals in the computer industry that offer
        experiences, advice, and tips that cannot be found anywhere
        for any price.


USERS AND SYSOPS:
----------------

        Diverse. That's our goal. We want to find users that know
        something from Alchemey to Zymurgy and are willing to share
        it. The network exists for users to help each other, not for
        sysops.

        In sysops we look for someone who wants to be involved in a
        ground floor opportunity. This opportunity will turn into a
        path filled with golden tidbits of knowledge and fun. Since we
        are new, there is a plethora of opportunities to help shape
        and determine the route of the network.

GUIDELINES:
----------

        "What, no rules," you ask? We believe that rules are outdated
        forms of control on the highway of information. They are so
        final. We prefer guidelines that can be modified and are
        malleable so that sysops and users can work within the
        confines to create a better network. These are the network
        usage guidelines. For Sysop specific guidelines, please see
        the sysop application form.

        1)      Aliases that are obvious are not permitted. Real
                sounding aliases are allowed if the local sysop
                approves. Dynamite Dan would not be allowed, where Dan
                Smith would be.

        2)      These conferences must be carried by every BBS: UNI-NET
                (Sysops and Hosts Conference), NETUSERS (User
                Comments Conference). CHITCHAT (General conference
                for the purpose of continuity) is strongly
                recommended.  If your system will be providing
                any conference hosts, then UNI-HOST will be
                required.

        3)      Abusive or offensive language (profanity and
                non-profanity included), name calling, personal
                attacks and other such forms of verbal combat are not
                allowed.

        4)      Conference hosts facilitate the flow of conferences. If
                a user believes that there is a problem, we encourage
                that user to address it in the NETUSERS conference.

        5)      ANSI codes are only permitted in the designated ANSI Art
                conference.

FORCES:
------

        The driving forces behind the network have many years of
        telecommunicating experience between them. They are dedicated
        to providing a consistent, user driven network:

        Jim Fouch is the sysop of Sleepy Hollow BBS. Jim serves as the
        Western United States Hub, which is right up his alley seeing
        that he was the co-originator of the first national network,
        PCB Echo.

        Joseph Sheppard actively supports The Ledge PC Board in Lake
        View Terrace, California. As the International host, Joe has
        managed to successfully recruit several key members. Best
        known for his Shareware programs, he consistently knows what
        today's sysop needs in running a BBS.


NETWORK DIAGRAM:
---------------

                      ┌─────────────────────────┐
                      │   International Host    │
                      │         U'NI-net        │
                      └───────────┬─────────────┘
                                  │
                                  │
       ┌─────────────┬────────────┴────────────┬───────────────┐
  ┌────┴─────┐  ┌────┴─────┐             ┌─────┴─────┐    ┌────┴─────┐
  │ West Hub │  │Cntrl Hub │             │MidWest Hub│    │ East Hub │
  │   U'NI   │  │   U'NI   │             │    U'NI   │    │   U'NI   │
  └────╥─────┘  └────╥─────┘             └─────╥─────┘    └────╥─────┘
       ║             ║                         ║               ║
       ║             ║                         ║               ║
  ┌────╨─────┐  ┌────╨─────┐             ┌─────╨─────┐    ┌────╨─────┐
  │   Node   │  │   Node   │             │   Node    │    │   Node   │
  │   U'NI   │  │   U'NI   │             │   U'NI    │    │   U'NI   │
  └──────────┘  └──────────┘             └───────────┘    └──────────┘


                           SYSOP INFORMATION

So, you say you're ready to join our family? Great! This step is a
very important one for you and your users. A professional, dependable
network for you and an information packed network for your users.

Before we get some information from you, we need to let you know about
some guidelines we have.

GUIDELINES:
-----------

        1)      Normally, your BBS must have been up and running for
                at least six months, though special exceptions are
                made, so contact us.

        2)      Nodes must make daily mail transfers to their Hub.
                This eliminates old, dry mail. Exceptions can be made
                for special cases.

        3)      A QWK/REP compatible mail package must be supported on
                your BBS for network mail transfers.

        4)      Have fun!

NETWORK ADMINISTRATION:
----------------------

        Since the network is being started by sysops with experience
        with other networks, you will see that the administration is a
        compilation of what works best.

        U'NI-net is administered by a group consisting of the official
        Hubs, the Recorder and the International Host. The
        International Host sysop may make day to day decisions
        regarding general operation, and emergencies. However,
        decisions regarding the direction of the network are referred
        to the hub systems, who in turn refer the matter for
        discussion to the local Sysops they service. The hub systems
        report back to the host with the outcome of the discussions
        with their local sysops, and decisions are made based on what
        the majority of connecting sysops indicate.

        In the event a hub becomes unavailable, the area Sysops elect a
        new hub from their group.  In the event that a decision cannot
        be reached by the area Sysops, the host may appoint the new hub.


CONFERENCE HOSTS:
----------------

        Any caller may volunteer to host a U'NI-net conference.  The
        most important duty of a host is to keep his or her conference
        friendly and on-topic.  Official conference hosts must be
        registered in the private UNI-HOST conference.  This is
        where Hosts can come to find solutions to problems
        encountered in hosting.

        U'NI-net is simply a distributor of electronic mail, so it is
        not the job of the host to act in an editorial capacity.
        Rather, he or she simply welcomes new people to the conference
        and assists in keeping it on track.

        U'NI-net hosts are regarded by other callers as the "good
        guy", however, from time to time a caller may behave in a
        manner that the host feels is counter productive to the
        conference.  Hosts are asked to stay clear of disputes with
        callers.  If a caller doesn't respond favorably to a friendly
        request, then the host should contact the Sysop of the BBS the
        caller is using.

        BBS names can be found in the message tagline.  Sysop names
        can be found in UNIBBS.LST which is distributed with this
        file. All U'NI-net Sysops and hosts have access to the UNI-NET
        administration conference.  This is a private conference where
        the host can contact the Sysop and request that the problem be
        worked out privately.  We find that callers respond to the
        local Sysop quite well, and this keeps boring debates about
        how a situation is being handled out of the conference.

        If the problem continues after contacting the Sysop, the Host
        may make a formal request that the caller be suspended from
        the conference for a period not to exceed 30 days for the
        first offense.  If there is a second offense, the host may
        request a permanent suspension.  Network Sysops are obligated
        to honor the request of a host.

        There is no set term of duty for a host.  The appointment may
        be cancelled by the U'NI-net administration.  Hosts are asked
        to give reasonable notice to the network before resigning.
        Suggestions for replacement are greatly appreciated.


Proposing New Conferences for the Network:
------------------------------------------

        If a U'NI-net member system would like to have a new
        Conference added to the network the net Sysop should follow
        this procedure:

        Post a message in the UNI-net Administration Conference to
        suggest the new Conference.  Please use a SUBJECT: NEW
        CONFERENCE <Proposed Name>.  This will make it easier for
        others to follow the thread.  A brief description of the
        contents and limits of the subject matter should be included
        in the proposal if this is not obvious from the Proposed Name.
        The U'NI-net Administration conference is the ONLY conference
        this message should be sent to.  Please do not bombard a large
        list of conferences with material about a proposed conference.
        The decision is in the hands of the U'NI-net Sysops, and the
        UNI-NET Administration Conference is the place to find them.

        If the member system finds six (6) other interested U'NI-net
        member systems and a candidate for a Host for the Conference
        within fourteen (14) days he should post a message to the
        U'NI-net Conference Chairman indicating the names of the
        interested members, the name of the proposed Host, and a brief
        description that will fit in the following format:

        Conf_Name     : Conference Description......................

        Maximum number of characters for Conference Name: 12
        Maximum number of characters for Conference Description: 43

        The Conference Chairman may at his discretion immediately add
        the proposed new Conference.  He may also consult with the
        U'NI-net Hubs for their advice and opinions about adding the
        proposed new Conference.  He may decide not to add the
        proposed new Conference if he decides doing so would not be in
        the best interest of the network and its members.

        Notes: (1) U'NI-net is interested in adding new and
        interesting conferences and members are encouraged to suggest
        them.  (2) The requirement of (6) six systems willing to carry
        a new conference may be increased to a higher number depending
        on the size of the network and possible other factors.  (3)
        Consideration should be given to the qualifications of the
        proposed Conference Host - Please see "Duties of Conference
        Hosts" elsewhere in this document.  (4) The current Conference
        Chairman is International Host, Joseph Sheppard.

CHANGES:
--------

        The above guidelines are always open to discussion and
        drafting whenever necessary. The stress is always put on
        making the network easier to administer, not stuck in
        bureaucracy.

        Upload your application as a C)omment to one of the following
        BBS':



┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│            U'NI-net International Echo Net HUBS List               │
│        ───────────────────────────────────────────────             │
│ BBS Name                   Area                     BBS Number     │
│ Location                   Served                   Sysop          │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Channel 8250               AL,GA,FL,SC,MS,TN        [phone] │
│ Birmingham, Alabama        VA,NC,WV,KY,MD,DE,DC     Randy Hilliard │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ French Connection, The     WA,OR,ID,MT,WY,SD,AK     [phone] │
│ Edmonds, Washington                                   Klaus Lamort │
│ ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── │
│ Richware Shareware         IL,IN,OH,MI,WI,IA,MN     [phone] │
│ Elgin, Illinois                                     Rich Dougherty │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Sleepy Hollow BBS          *CA,NV,UT,AZ,NM,CO,TX    [phone] │
│ Beverly Hills, Calif       NY,NJ,PA,HI,ME,NH,VT,         Jim Fouch │
│                            MA,CT,RI                                │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ The Ledge PCBoard          Areas not on List,       [phone] │
│ Lake View Terrace, Calif   or Product Support      Joseph Sheppard │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ War on Virus               Southeast Asia and      (66-2) 255-5981 │
│ Bangkok, Thailand          Pacific Islands             Alan Dawson │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

* The California Counties of Los Angeles and Orange are closed to
  new members until further notice.

                ■ U'NI-net MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM ■
                  ┌──────────────────────────────────┐
                  │     Please Upload to a HUB       │
                  └──────────────────────────────────┘

Your Name: __________________________________________________________

BBS Name: ___________________________________________________________

BBS Software and Version: ___________________________________________

BBS Public Phone Number: ____________________________________________

BBS City (Location): ________________________  Number of Nodes: _____

Modem Types and Speed Supported: ____________________________________

Length of Time Your BBS Has Been Operating: _________________________

Are You A Member of Another Network? If so, Which One: ______________

Do You have any Special Skills: _____________________________________

(Information below is CONFIDENTIAL):

Your Address: ________________________________________________________

Your City/State/ZIP: _________________________________________________

Voice Phone Number: __________________________ Your Age: _____________

"I have read the enclosed Hub and Node agreements and will fully
comply to them as a member of U'NI-net. I understand that failure to
follow these guidelines may end my relationship with U'NI-net. I
further understand that any charges for transferring mail may be the
responsibility of myself."

Your Name: _____________________________   Date: ____________________

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  IMPORTANT: Please PRE-REGISTER the Sysop of the hub you will by    │
│  applying to on your BBS.  This will speed up the verification      │
│  process.                                                           │
│                                                                     │
│  First Name of Hub-Sysop you are Applying To........ ______________ │
│                                                                     │
│  Last Name of Hub-Sysop you are Applying To......... ______________ │
│                                                                     │
│  Password for Hub-Sysop you are Applying to to use.. ______________ │
│                                                                     │
│  Telephone Number the Hub-Sysop should call into.... ______________ │
│  (Please give the least-busy phone number)                          │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘