BBS Toolkit/BBS Toolkit.iso/gt_power/pvote110.zip/PVOTE.DOC

Text File | 1990-08-17 | 13KB | 264 lines

                      P O W E R   V O T E  v1.10
                      ---------------------------
                     Copyright 1990:  Cory Wright

Purpose & Objective
-------------------
The PowerVote system is a system of confidential voting through the GT
Power netmail system.  You possess the voting booth end of the 2 part
PowerVote system.  You will use this program, PVOTE.EXE, to send both
requests for your free voting registration code and send your ballots in
for processing.  Ballots will be processed, sent to verification
stations to hold results, then results will be announced upon
termination of the proposition(s) up for voting.  The main objective of the
PowerVote voting system is to provide a safe and confidential way for
issues to be voted on within the GT Power Network.  This program will
not only be used for official network business, but can also be used by
any other GT Sysop in the network.

Method
------
Code Registration requests and ballots are sent by the PVOTE program to
the PowerVote Processing Center stationed at predetermined points.
They work to process ballots and requests originating throughout
the network.  After the ballot has been processed, it is appended to
a master ballot tally and held until the proposition terminates.
Then, results will be posted in the PowerVote echo.  Results may be
copied over into sysop echos if sponsors choose to do so.
If any discrepancies arise, the centers will be able to verify the
validity of the voting by comparing copies of the voting results
they hold.

Features
--------
* Up to 10 million simultaneous propositions may be active at one time.
  (an impossibility due to overrunning the mail system, and my phone
   bill)

* v1.10 introduces an echo interface that uses the PowerVote echo (see
  your latest echo listing for more information) to get its information.
  All network-related propositions will be posted in the PowerVote echo.
  Other sponsors are free to copy these propositions over into sysop
  echos.  The propositions are fully readable but are in a strict
  format.  PowerVote v1.10 and above can pick out propositions, verify
  if they are valid, and check for incorrect answers to the proposition
  before they leave for the processing centers.  This will eliminate
  the need to search for propositions and will correct typing mistakes
  when entering votes.

* v1.10 allows the user to define up to three different destination
  nodes for the ballots.  You will be told where to point your ballots
  to correctly vote on a proposition.

* The PowerVote Voting System is open for use by anyone wishing to call
  a vote.  Details are outlined under "Can I hold my own election?" at the
  end of this document.  Restrictions apply.

* Infinite voting encryption via a SCRAMBLE CODE enables many discrete
  groups to use the PowerVote system with no chance of votes from
  outside of the range of those who are given the SCRAMBLE CODE.  (Ideal
  for intra-net voting)

* Over 36 separate response messages to aid in almost every imaginable thing
  that could go wrong due to user error.  Everything sent by the
  PowerVote system will invoke a response from the processing center
  that will diagnose a problem if it exists, tell you how to solve it,
  and who to contact for further help.  Confirmation notices are sent
  immediately upon acceptance of any ballot or request.

* DX feature to DIRECT EXPRESS ballots/requests to the Processing
  Center.  When using the DX feature, it is advisable to manually
  CRASH!mail netnode 070/002.

What do I need in order to vote?
--------------------------------
A copy of the PVOTE.EXE program, which you should have if you are
reading this document, is all you will need in addition to your
functioning GT Power BBS / Netmail system.  You will also need a Voting
Registration Code in order to serialize your copy of PowerVote and
identify yourself as a valid, participating voting node in the
processing center's records.

How do I get a Voting Registration Code?
----------------------------------------
You need to run PVOTE.EXE and choose (R)equest from the menu.
Now, type in your first name exactly as it is listed in the nodelist,
and press return.  Do the same thing for your last name.  You will be shown
your node in the nodelist.  Type Y if everything is correct.  A bag will
be created, bound for PowerVote Headquarters.  Within a few days, you will
receive a netmail message from PowerVote Headquarters explaining the code
number.  Be sure to install this number via the (S)etup option.

** Please note **  If you are the sysop of more than 1 node, you may only
request/receive a voting registration code for the first node you have
in the network.  You must request that code off of *that* system.
Therefore, you get 1 vote per sysop or 1 vote per netnode, whichever is
less.

Once I get my Voting Code, what do I do with it?
------------------------------------------------
Choose (S)etup from the main menu.  Enter your first name and last name
as it is printed in the nodelist -- case sensitive!   Then, enter
your Voting Registration Code.  Be sure you save changes upon exiting!

Am I ready to vote?
-------------------
Almost.  You will need to find issue(s) that you wish to vote on.  You
will need the PROPOSITION ID, the SCRAMBLE CODE (if any), and the
list of possible choices.

 * PROPOSITION ID:  The PROPOSITION ID is simply the ID of
     the voting issue you wish to vote on.  When propositions are
     placed in open forum for voting, the PROPOSITION ID will be
     clearly marked.  (Also known as the PROPOSITION NUMBER)

 * SCRAMBLE CODE:  This code will rarely be used.  If there is a
     SCRAMBLE CODE involved with a proposition, you must know the
     SCRAMBLE CODE in order to cast your ballot.  This feature will be
     used for more sensitive voting processes if needed, or, if a group
     of sysops smaller than the entire net wish to place an issue up for
     a vote (eg, within the UK or Australian net, net 835 only, etc).

 * POSSIBLE CHOICES:  When using version 1.10 (or above) of PowerVote,
     your entry will be checked against all valid entries in the
     proposition.  If yours does not match, you will be shown the valid
     answers and will be asked to vote again.  This does not apply when
     you use the asterisk prefix to enter a 'write-in' vote.

Casting a ballot
----------------
Casting your ballot is as simple as answering a few yes/no questions and
typing in your ballot choice.  First, choose (V) to VOTE from the main
menu.  Answer Y when it asks you to verify your registration information
(this is basically to prevent you from having to memorize the voting
registration number).  Next, enter the PROPOSITION ID and press [ENTER].
Then, enter the scramble code for the vote if there is one.
If not, then simply press [ENTER] without entering anything.  Next,
you will be asked for your vote.  Type it in verbatim in order to match the
possibilities listed when the proposition was issued.  If you wish to
'write in' a choice or candidate, precede your choice with an asterisk
(*CHOICE).  Hit ENTER and verify that your vote is correct, then sit
back and watch.  Your ballot will be bagged up for the processing
centers.  Expect a confirmation of your vote within a few days--it's as
easy as that!  The DX feature is available by answering Y to the "DIRECT
EXPRESS?" question.  If you are using CALL WINDOWS, it may not work, so
be sure to choose to DX it, then manually CRASH!mail the centers.

A note about CRASHMAIL
----------------------
The voting system is set up to provide an outlet for multiple voting
tabulation centers (a.k.a. processing centers); therefore, if there is
more than one center, and you wish to use crashmail, you have two
options:

       1) Crash all the centers with your vote.  This could require
          up to three calls and is the most expensive approach
       2) Crash the netnode listed in the #1 slot under (S)etup, and
          allow the rest to flow through normal netmail channels.

Wait, what's this about write-in's?
-----------------------------------
While write-in choices and candidates rarely change the outcome, it is
still a necessary function of any voting system.  Let's see how you can
use the write-in function if necessary.  Example:  PEACHES and APPLES
are the two choices on Proposition 1.  You happen to like PEARS better,
and you think that others may too.  Therefore, when you enter your
voting choice, you place an asterisk before your write-in choice like
this:  *PEARS

Can I hold my own election?
---------------------------
Yes!  The PowerVote system is open to all GT Power Network members that
hold an active netnode in the nodelist.  Setting up an 'election' can be
done in only a few minutes by following these steps:

- Write down the question or issue you wish to put up for voting.
  Please give the voter enough information so that he can make an
  ample decision, yet try to limit the size as much as possible.
- Write down the possible choices that you wish to allow.
- Decide on a SCRAMBLE CODE; SCRAMBLE CODES are required for
  propositions that aren't open for network-wide voting.
- Decide on a termination date for voting.  A proposition's term may not
  run longer than 30 days, but may run shorter.  If you feel that it is
  necessary for a proposition to run longer than 1 month, I can be
  flexible.  30 days is a general guideline.
- Provide me with the number of participants that will be participating
  in the voting.  (See "Restrictions..." below).

- Send Cory Wright a letter at the following address:

     Cory Wright
     8726 Farmington Drive
     Knoxville, TN  37923-1633

  Please provide all information requested above.  Propositions without
  all of the preceding information will be discarded with no reply.

* The arrangement of a 'private election' must be arranged via a letter
  to the above address.  Propositions will not be taken over the phone.

Restrictions on Private Elections
---------------------------------
Due to the amount of mail handling that is required with each
proposition issued, a set number of private elections may be held at any
one time.  I have not made a decision regarding the limit of the load
that may be placed on a processing center.  For this reason, I am
placing the following restrictions on private elections:

  - Up to 25 nodes may participate in a private election without cost.
    For every 25 participants extra, a cost of $10.00 will be required
    in advance.  You should remit the proposition with payment to:

      Cory Wright
      8726 Farmington Drive
      Knoxville, TN  37923-1633

  - You will be provided with a receipt of funds received for your
    record keeping purposes.  PowerVote Headquarters will then
    compensate the respective processing centers for their long
    distance costs and their time.


Disclaimers
-----------
The PowerVote Voting System, Cory Wright, TRC Development, PowerVote
vote handlers, hub systems, and any other system that handles mail between
processing centers and your node are NOT responsible for any lost, stolen,
deleted, vaporized, or vanishing ballots or any ballots that arrive
after the voting termination date.  'Postmarks' are not used; therefore
the date/time stamp on messages is not a factor--either the ballot is
at the processing centers by the termination date, or it is disallowed.
This rule will be strictly enforced.

Problems
--------
Problems may be referred to Cory Wright at 070/002 or at the number
above during the times stated.  The nature of the problem can then be
discussed and appropriate action and/or referrals will be made to ensure
that every effort is made to alleviate the problem as soon as possible.

Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
-----------------
CAREFULLY READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH BELOW.  FURTHER
USE OF POWERVOTE INDICATES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE FOLLOWING TERMS
AND CONDITIONS:

     T.R.C. HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  ALTHOUGH T.R.C. HAS TAKEN
MEASURES TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF THE PROGRAM, NO WARRANTY OF ACCURACY,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS EXTENDED TO YOU.  POWERVOTE IS PROVIDED "AS IS."

     IN NO EVENT WILL CORY WRIGHT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT,
INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, WHETHER
ARISING OUT OF THE PROVISION OR USE OF THE PROGRAM, PVOTE.EXE and it's
other forms no matter what the filename.

    PROPOSITIONS ISSUED BY CORY WRIGHT AND/OR THE POWERVOTE VOTING
COMMISSION DO NOT REFLECT THE VIEWS OF EITHER TRC DEVELOPMENT, CORY
WRIGHT, OR ANYONE ELSE ALBEIT THE PROPOSER OF THE PROPOSITION.

---END OF POWERVOTE DOCUMENTATION---