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CommUnity
.-----------------------------------------.
=-()---------( Frequently Asked Questions )----------()-=
`-----------------------------------------'
Updates and corrections to nhardy@arkham.demon.co.uk
-OR-
Nigel Hardy at FidoNet 2:254/151 or 2:254/152
Q. What is CommUnity?
A. CommUnity is the Computer Communicators' Association:
a pressure group formed to repesent the interest of the UK
online community. It was initally formed in response to the
threat - in early 1993 - of BBS licencing posed by the ELSPA
(European Leisure Software Publishers Association) and FAST
(Federation Against Software Theft); and out of widespread
concern over growing press and media misrepresentation of
the comms-using community in the UK.
Q. Where can I find CommUnity news, information and
documentation?
A. The free-access host BBS for CommUnity is
ARKHAM BBS: 071 738 5596/5557 - FidoNet 2:254/151 and 2:254/152.
Q. What is the UK.ORG.COMMUNITY newsgroup and the COMMUNITY echo?
A. These are the methods by which all matters connected with
CommUnity are discussed. Both electronic conferences are
linked via a gateway thus providing a CROSS network
conference. Networks currently connected are:-
USENET, FIDONET, THENET/WILDNET and GTNET, NeST
Q. What are CommUnity's aims?
A. The Aims of CommUnity are to:
a) Maintain and connect a membership which shares a common
concern that access to technology, information and
communication should be as freely available as possible.
b) Raise public awareness about issues and opportunities
arising from ongoing rapid advances in computer-based
communications media.
c) Monitor and inform press and media coverage of computer-
based communications, responding to misinformation or
prejudice with a coherent voice.
d) Develop among policy-makers a better understanding of the
issues underlying free and open telecommunications, and
support legal and structural approaches which ease the
assimilation of new technologies by society, and
maintain open access to them.
e) Support litigation in the public interest to preserve,
protect, and extend civil rights within the realm of
computing and telecommunications technology.
f) Work with agencies and individuals who share our interest
in the development of computer-based communications.
g) Extend our membership and organisation to include
wider Europe, or assist there in the establishment
and networking of independent groups sharing our aims.
h) Encourage and support educational activities and initiatives
which increase popular understanding of the opportunities
and challenges posed by developments in computing and
telecommunications.
i) Encourage and support the development of new tools which
ease access to computer-based telecommunications.
Q. Is CommUnity `cleaning up cyberspace'?
A. *NO!!!* CommUnity is simply interested in protecting
and promoting computer-based communications, and preventing
misrepresentation.
Q. How can I contact CommUnity?
A. Either via the newsgroup/echo or by Internet mail to
community@arkham.demon.co.uk or FidoNet netmail to 2:254/151
or 2:254/152. By post, at 89 Mayfair Avenue, Worcester
Park, Surrey KT4 7SJ.
Q. How much does it cost to join CommUnity - and why should I
pay to be a member?
A. CommUnity is asking for FIVE POUNDS, TOGETHER WITH A
VOLUNTARY FURTHER FIVE POUNDS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN FULL
EMPLOYMENT for membership. Though CommUnity is being set up
initially as a voluntary organisation, funds are obviously
needed for the basic necessities of any formal group, such as
postage, stationery, mailouts, and to recompense excessive
financial demands on any individual carrying out any task
commissioned by the group, etc... Beyond this, the lobbying
and informing work the group has been set up to provide will
cost money. Even with the goodwill of volunteers, effective
work *costs*.
Q. How do I join CommUnity?
A. YOUR SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL! Just send a cheque made out to
`CommUnity' to: CommUnity, 89 Mayfair Avenue, Worcester Park,
Surrey, KT4 7SJ. Enclose a short, signed letter requesting
membership, including your name, postal address, main net/BBS
address, and any other information you think may be helpful
(resources or expertise you can offer the group). Please
include a note giving consent for (or forbidding) the details
to be stored on CommUnity's membership database. Alternatively
download or file-request the membership form CUMEM.TXT from
ARKHAM BBS (071 738 5596/5557 - Fido 2:254/151).