To members: By using your name and password to access the Club Mac BBS, you agree to abide by these rules any any amendments that may be made to them by the Committee of Club Mac Inc. from time to time.
Introduction
The Club Mac BBS is a system designed to benefit members of Club Mac Inc, by providing:
• the latest public domain software;
• an electronic mail system; and
• a public forum for issues of interest to members.
Three principles lie behind this Code:
• Freedom of speech, accompanied by a duty not to abuse it;
• The right of every member to enjoy the BBS; and
• Freedom to debate issues without fear of personal or offensive comment.
Definitions
“Offensive private messages” include name-calling, threats and other forms of baiting or harassment.
“Offensive public messages” include the above categories plus the defamation standard in NSW, i.e. any message that would lower the reputation of another member in members’ eyes.
“Advertising Material” includes price lists, product announcements, and special offers to Club members. It does not include product information or comments on commercial products.
1. Private Mail
a. Private messages and files from one member to another must not be read or examined in any way by the Sysop. Privacy of correspondence is inviolable, and any proven breach can result in the Committee calling on the Sysop to show cause why he or she should not be dismissed.
b. Offensive private messages may be brought to the attention of the Sysop only by the recipient. The contents of the message should be forwarded to the Sysop, who will check its authenticity and then warn the person responsible. If that person posts a second offensive private message to any member, the Sysop may suspend the offender’s BBS access pending a Committee decision on the matter. Note that messages may be reported to Telecom as prank calls, which may result in criminal charges.
2. Public messages
a. Offensive public messages will not be tolerated in the forums of this BBS. Where the Sysop finds a message that may fit the definition, he or she must:
i. Delete the message;
ii. Delete any responses to the message; and
iii. Post the above messages to the Committee for consideration.
b. Where a majority of the Committee feels that the message is not sufficiently offensive, the Sysop must reinstate it in the forum that it was removed from.
c. The Sysop may warn members responsible for leaving offensive public messages. In the event of severe or repeated infringements, the Sysop may restrict or suspend the offender’s BBS access pending a Committee decision on the matter.
d. Members who feel personally offended by any public message may complain by e-mail to the Sysop, setting out the basis for his or her complaint. If the Sysop chooses not to remove the message, the reasons for that decision must be given to the complainant. If the complainant wishes to take the matter further, he or she may e-mail a Committee member directly.
3. Public Domain Software
a. Only publicly-distributable software will be made available to members for downloading. Club Mac Inc. encourages members to pay any shareware fees requested by the authors of this material.
b. While all due care is exercised, Club Mac cannot be responsible for any damage caused by software downloaded from the BBS, however caused.
c. In keeping with professional standards, the Club Mac BBS will never tolerate pornographic material of any kind. Not only is it copyright material, it also alienates more members than it gratifies. The Club Mac BBS aims to be noticed for its reputation as a productive and intelligent board, usable by and relevant to its entire membership.
d. Club Mac encourages its members to upload any items of Public Domain software that they may have obtained through other sources. Members who contribute new PD on a regular basis may apply to the Sysop to have their daily access time doubled at no extra charge.
4. Advertising
a. Advertising material may not be posted privately to members unless it is expressly asked for. The Sysop may suspend the BBS access of any member responsible for unsolicited advertising, pending a Committee decision on the matter.
b. Commercial members of Club Mac may request their own forum under the advertising section of the BBS. Into this area may be placed any price lists, special offers or promotional material. Club Mac may impose fees or conditions on the use of these forums, as determined by the Committee. The Committee undertakes to impose standard terms and conditions for all such advertisers.
c. Club Mac cannot be responsible for the contents or truth of any material placed by advertisers on the Club Mac BBS. Complaints of unfair or untrue advertising material may be made to either the Sysop or a Committee member, who may take up the matter with the person concerned. Blatantly false advertising may be removed without notice by the Sysop.
d. Advertisers are required to reveal their interest when discussing their own products, or those of their competitors. While commercial competition is encouraged, negative public comments by one advertiser about another’s products or service is intolerable. The Sysop may warn or suspend the access of any member responsible for such comments, pending a Committee decision on the matter.
5. Security and Fraud
a. The Club Mac BBS is a service that is time-consuming and expensive to provide. The only fair way to pay for these benefits is on the basis of one person, one membership. Club Mac members who allow others to use their log-ons are STEALING FROM THEIR FELLOW MEMBERS. Any conclusive proof that someone is sharing their log-on (eg. two simultaneous calls using the same password) will result in mandatory suspension of BBS access pending a Committee decision on the matter.
b. Members will be held responsible for any offensive public or private messages left in their name. It is NO excuse that the actual member was not responsible for leaving the message.
c. Hacking is a criminal offence under the Crimes (Computers and Forgery) Amendment Act 1989 (NSW). s.309(1) provides that “A person who, without authority or lawful excuse, intentionally obtains access to a program or data stored in a computer is liable… to imprisonment for 6 months, or to a fine of $5000, or both.” The Sysop may report fraudulent log-ons to the police at his or her own discretion. If the offender is a member of Club Mac, that member’s BBS access will be terminated and will not be renewed unless the offender can show good cause to the Committee.
