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POLICIES.TXT
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-----------------------------------------
New England Network Policy Guidelines
-----------------------------------------
[Formerly known as RI-Net since 1988]
Revision 1.07 - As of 03/01/93
I Network Overview
================
New England Net (NE-Net) is a co-operative effort of many high quality
bulletin board systems and users. The network welcomes any computer
type or bbs software which is capable of exchanging net mail with other
systems. We currently support the following networking technologies:
Postlink, Fido echomail, Qnet/QWK(Rnet, Tnet, Cnet, etc). We are a small
general interest network serving the New England area. Boards outside of
the NE area are also welcomed to join.
Network Motto: "It's ONLY A Hobby!" <GRIN>
Our goal is to provide a friendly environment where users can discuss
social and technical related topics. The network is divided into Special
Interest Group conferences (SIGs), and each area is managed by a worthy
Conference Host. The network is privately managed as if it was a BIG
BBS, with member systems subscribing for their echomail feeds(free).
The "sysop" in this BIG BBS CONCEPT is a group of volunteers known as
the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is responsible to guide
the network in all matters and gather opinions from the member sysops.
Important matters will be voted on by the SC. NE-Net is operated as a
private organization by the Steering Committee. Membership to the SC is
done by appointment of the present SC Membership. We feel that this
structure provides a minimum of politics, while simply getting the mail
through. Sysop feedback is VERY important and will help to guide the
network - however, final decisions will be made by the Steering
Committee.
The network's Steering Committee currently includes:
- Ray Joyce, Conference/Membership Coordinator
- Mike Labbe, Network Coordinator
- Terry O'Dowd, Conference/Quality Coordinator
- Sally Renehan, Information Manager/PR
II Operational Concept and Definition
==================================
-NETHUB-
┌──────┬──┴───┬─────┐
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ NODE │ NODE
HUB HUB
/ \ / \
NODE NODE NODE NODE
HUB -- A hub is any board that distributes mail to other systems. Hubs
are established in new calling areas to distribute mail to other
local boards. This method minimizes toll charges.
NODE -- A node is any participating BBS. Nodes can call a regional hub,
or directly into the NETHUB as long as arrangements are made in
advance. Nodes are not called by any other systems in the net.
NET HUB -- The nethub is where the network originates, and does not make
outgoing calls for mail. The nethub sysop will be responsible for
overall network operation and direction. The nethub supports
multiple networking technologies, and is responsible for moving the
mail between the various packet formats and to keep it flowing
properly without duplicates. The NE-Net nethub system is Eagles Nest
Communications.
III Conference Hosts
================
Each special interest group is GUIDED by a dedicated volunteer whose
responsibilities include
- assuring that net guidelines are used
- posting topic information approximately monthly to define the
goals of the base
- preventing bashing
- keeping the mail flowing by introducing new topics and suggestions
in the area of interest.
Conference hosts are present to encourage friendly discussion and
introduce new topics -- enforcement of policies should not be done in a
heavy-handed manner. Problems with users may sometimes arise in the
SIGS. If a situation cannot be remedied by a friendly reminder to the
user, hosts are asked to contact the Steering Committee. In those rare
cases, the SC will handle the situation according to its discretion
which may include asking the sysop(s) of that board to address the
situation discreetly and personally.
A current list of conferences can be found on the nethub, or in the
latest NENETxxx.ZIP "Information Pack". Conference suggestions and host
volunteers are heartily welcomed, and can be directed to NE-Net Common.
One person may host up to two NE-Net conferences.
IV New England Net Policies
========================
Although we are a friendly, social type of network, some rules are
required. Our common sense guidelines have been spelled out here to
head off most problems before they happen and to answer questions. Some
conferences have additional guidelines, which are defined in the
NENET.CNF document.
a) Private and/or confidential mail is NOT supported via the network,
pursuant to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986. 18
USC 2510, et al. All systems operators participating in the
network have access to any mail which is sent with the R/O flag.
Although the messages will be passed, this is discouraged except
for sysop communications.
b) Quality Assurance: All users are to be verified, either by
call-back door, voice, post card, etc., prior to being granting
"post" access in the NE-NET bases. We reserve the right to
request member sysops to confirm user identity when a situation
warrants it.
c) ANSI messages and signatures are limited to the BBS ADS
conference. Some users and participating systems have equipment
which is not compatible with ANSI, and these messages should be
discouraged.
d) BBS Ads are limited to the BBS ADS conference. Sysops are
encouraged to post ads for their bbs in this base, but no more
than once in 14 days.
e) Profanity, abusive language, personal attacks, and bashing will
not be tolerated under any circumstances. It is the responsibility
of the conference host, the SC, and the node sysop to deal with
offenders of this policy in a professional and timely manner. If
all parties are not satisfied with the resolution, the SC may, at
its discretion, have the user's access to the network suspended
for a period of time. The SC will send a note to the sysop
informing them of the situation. If the sysop does not address
the problem in 36 hours, that system may be temporarily suspended.
f) Handles and aliases are not permitted in message headers, but are
welcomed within messages and tag lines.
Handles ARE allowed in certain bases. See NE-NET.CNF for details.
g) All member boards must carry the NE-NET COMMON message base. This
conference will contain network announcements and information.
h) System operators are responsible to inform their users of the
NE-NET guidelines and are encouraged to extract any portion of
this file or the conference description file for public
posting/bulletins/news files. Sysops are responsible for messages
leaving their system and are asked to post this file for public
download (NENET???.ZIP).
i) Distribution and exchange of NE-NET messages with other systems is
strictly prohibited, unless system has been admitted by the SC.
All gateways with other networks must be under direction of the
nethub. We will make every effort to verify a recommended board
within 24 hours.
j) Any commercial use of the network is strictly prohibited.
Vendors may post a sale message no more than once in a two week
period. These messages are allowable in the FOR SALE section only.
See NE-NET.CNF for more information on this policy.
k) All nodes and regional hubs are expected to transfer mail no
less than 3 times per week with approved and tested net software.
A DAILY event would be perfect for this purpose. If a system is
unable to meet this requirement due to sysop vacation or technical
problems, we would appreciate notification.
l) System tag lines should be in a standard format. For Example:
"NE-Net * Eagles Nest Communications * Providence, RI *(401)732-5290"
m) These policies may be amended at any time without prior notice.
All member sysops are encouraged to give their input, and these
discussions should take place in the NE-Net Sysops' conference.
Management reserves the right to suspend transfers with any system
on the network whenever it deems necessary to ensure that the
goals of the network are met.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE-Net: "The Network for the USERS"
Please Refer All Inquiries To:
New England Network
P.O. Box 23392
Providence, RI 02903
Nethub: (401) 732-5290
Fido ID: 1:323/126