CD Shareware Magazine 1996 December

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ComicBook Net Information Package 10/96 [updated and ratified on September 27th, 1996] -------- OVERVIEW -------- CBN is a mail network created to provide comics fans with a place to come and talk about the latest comics, creators and other things that most comics fans seem to have in common or enjoy. Hopefully you already know how to set up a mail net on your BBS and we will continue under the assumption that you do. If you do NOT know, or are unclear as to anything that follows, please call one of the BBSes which you will find listed later in the nodelist. These guidelines are the basic "rules" of CBN. With the steadfast opinion that too many rules makes things rather stuffy and can scare away sysops and callers, we will try to keep it to a simple few... The primary function of having these guidelines is to have something concrete on hand to refer to should the need ever arise. Keep in mind that these aren't set in stone and can be changed or waived if the need arises. ---------------------------- FIRST SOME QUICK DEFINITIONS ---------------------------- HOST A selected Sysop or user who is responsible for maintaining the quality and traffic in a conference. NET ADMINSTRATORS A group of three (3) elected/nominated sysops and Hosts that "manage" the net and it's day to day workings. The Net Adminstrators are in charge of managing the net which ranges from keeping things running smoothly to ironing out any problems that occur. The Net Adminstrators may be voted out of their positions individually or as a whole by a 3/4 majority vote of participating sysops and Hosts. The Net Admin Team is currently comprised of three sysops and two Hosts. NODE A BBS that participates in CBN. HUB A BBS that feeds mail to any number of nodes. Some HUBS are termed "Major HUBS" which simply means they feed a number of systems are fairly responsible for moving the mail through the net. Now The Guidelines..... -------------- TO BE ACCEPTED -------------- Although almost nobody will be turned down for acceptance into the network, we do reserve the right to deny anyone access to CBN, for any reason, at any time. Anyone denied access will receive a reason why which they may discuss with the Net Admin Team in a seperate forum, (be it netmail or on another network or whatever). To be accepted, you need to do the following, some of which is common sense: ■ Read these guidelines and agree to them. ■ Locate a BBS from the file CBN.LST and make contact with the SysOp of that BBS. ■ Completely fill out, "sign" and date the application (CBN.APP) and upload it as a file or message to the aforementioned BBS. The BBS then has the responsibility to inform the Net Administrators that the new NODE/BBS is ready and that a node number is needed. ■ Carry the required conferences as listed in CBN.CON. ■ SysOps should make CBNxxxx.ZIP available as a (FREE) download to all users of your system. xxx is the month and year of the file update. (CBN1095.ZIP Would be the Info File updated October 1995 (10)[9]5)). ■ You may begin carrying the conferences at any time during the process however they must remain READ ONLY until you receive confirmation of of acceptance and a node number. Although it's not a requirement, be sure to post an announcement, logon screen or a bulletin to your users about the addition of CBN on your BBS. ANSI and ASCII screens are provided within the CBN Information Package and may be freely edited. ---------- SETTING UP ---------- ■ If for any reason you are turned down from a particular BBS you may simply find another one to poll mail from. ■ BBSes must remove another BBS or NODE's access to CBN as soon as possible, when asked to by result of a vote. ■ All CBN SysOps must abide by generally accepted administrative decisions. If you do not agree with one you may request that it be put to a vote. ■ As is the case with virtually ANY network,you will be held accountable for the actions of your users within the Net, as well as any BBS or Nodes polling Netmail from you. Additionally, you must, when informed by a Conference Host of a problem user, take action as soon as possible. ■ BBSs and nodes must lock out any user from CBN that the Net Adminis- trators have found not to have lived up to the CBN standards, such as repetitively using foul language. ■ All CBN .QWK taglines should begin with the following: CBN or ■CBN■ or *CBN*, heck, anything as long as it says CBN... and should contain the BBSes phone number, city and state. Example: CBN: The Daily Planet BBS * Frederick, MD * (301)831-8057 ■ All Fido style ORIGIN lines should contain the BBS's CITY and STATE! ■ All Network Sysops should monitor the EDITOR'S OFFICE conference. This is where important net information and news will be posted by the Net Administrators. -------------------- HOW THE NET OPERATES -------------------- ■ CBN is FREE. The only money that will leave your pocket is for your phone bill. ■ ALL CBN SysOps should relay mail, at the minimum, three times a week with their BBS unless it is completely impossible or unavoidable. (Like a system crash or vacation). In the case of a vacation though it would be nice if you and another BBS created a "vacancy plan" where one would cover for the other. ■ Existing BBSes should readily help any new BBS or NODE with the initial set up of CBN on their BBS. ■ If any BBS runs a "subscription BBS", that BBS should provide a FREE account for mail relays to any BBS or NODES that have been approved to poll mail from that BBS. ■ The Net Administrators must be informed of all new BBSes or NODES that are accepted into the net BEFORE the new node begins posting messages. ■ If a new node applies to your system for NODE status you should forward their application either by netmail to 23:401/0 =OR= 23:403/0 OR (easier though it takes a tad longer) simply post the application in the EDITOR'S OFFICE conference addressed to NET ADMIN TEAM. (be sure you edit out the sysop's voice number if you post it in the Editor's Office conference). ■ Required conferences - There are only two conferences that are required to be echoed by all BBS's who carry CBN. 1. Editor's Office 2. The Bullpen ■ Editor's Office is to be seen and used only by CBN SysOps and Co-SysOps and Hosts, NOT their users. ■ CBN.CON contains the current CBN conference listing. (You will be notified if and when this file is updated.) A description of each CBN conference is included within the CBN.CON file. ■ Elections will be held every (1 year to determine the Net Admin Team positions unless a vacancy occurs in which case all interested parties may be nominated and a special election will be held. ------------------------------ CONFERENCE ADDITIONS/DELETIONS GUIDELINE CHANGES. ------------------------------ ■ New conferences may be added, as well as old conferences deleted. ■ Any CBN Sysop or user may suggest a new conference be added or deleted or a change in conference name. In the case of an addition, a Host MUST be assigned before a new conference is eligible to be added. (there may be times when the Net Administration Team adds a conference without a host on board first). ■ It will then be up to the discretion of the Net Admin Team whether or not a conference is added. ■ If your suggestion is turned down you may lobby for support from the rest of the net. If THREE (3) more sysops or users, (any combination), agree that it should be added then a netwide vote will be held to determine it's status. ■ The Net Administrators have the power to append, modify or delete any of these guidelines. They were, (and in the future will be), ELECTED by you, the SYSOP, with the understanding that you are placing your faith and trust in them to do what is best for the network. It will be up to every network SysOp to re-read these guidelines after revisions have been made. ■ All of the guidelines, requirements and policies of CBN are subject to change based on the needs of the Net. If you disagree with any changes, additions or deletions then it is your duty to inform the Net Administrators. Silence is the same as saying "Yes". If you still disagree with any changes, additions or deletions, after discussion(s) with the Net Administrators that affect your decision to comply with the changes deletions or additions, then it is your choice to request a vote on the issue(s) OR to leave the net and to inform the Net Administrators of your removal from CBN. Because voting takes time and too many "Votes" may begin to appear frivolous or unneccessary it should be noted that a disputed guideline change must be backed by at least three ADDITIONAL sysops for it to become an issue to be voted on. ---------------- CONFERENCE HOSTS ---------------- ■ Hosts are an important part of any network. Without a strong Host, a conference can quickly die or become out of control. ■ Hosts will be appointed for each conference, and will be responsible for starting conversations and to see that things don't get out of hand. ■ Hosts are responsible for; 1- Enforcing all CBN Guidelines and notifying CBN Sysops via their BBS of any problem users, through the Editor's Office conference. 2- Keeping messages on-topic. Obviously, as is the case with any type of conversation, the conversation may stray from the topic. This is ok as long as it doesn't become to crazy or out of hand. 3- Not allowing users to "flame" others. 4- Helping users to the best of their ability. 5- Most importantly, keep your conference exciting! The job of Host is much more than being a "policeman", and in fact the less "police-ing" that you do, the better. If a user is violatng the guidelines, calmly explain to them what they are doing wrong. (Check your ego and personal beliefs at the door. You obviously may express opinions, but do not hold anyone else's against them. If someone thinks your favorite writer or artist sucks, don't take it as a personal flame.) --------------- USER GUIDELINES --------------- ■ All CBN conferences are subject to the following guidelines, which any user in any CBN conference must be made aware of, and must follow. 1- REAL Names Only! Aliases are NOT allowed in any CBN Conference. All SysOps are responsible for ensuring that only real names are used when entering a message into any CBN Conference. If you absolutely MUST use an alias we ask that you please "sign" your name to your messages. 2- No "Flaming"! This is a Clean Network. Any user found to be slandering others, being abusive, discriminating a person because of their race, creed, color, sexual preference, culture or sex will be dealt with accordingly. 2a- Mis-quoting or altering quotes to change the meaning of a message is not allowed. 3- Do not defy the conference Host. If you are asked to drop a thread or to move the conversation to another conference, do so without raising a ruckus. The Hosts do NOT have more power than you do but ARE sanctioned by the NAT to enforce guidelines. 4- No Illegal Activities! Any talk of illegal activities in any CBN conference may result in the user being locked out of the Net. (Absolutely NO adult-only (sexual oriented) messages are to be sent via CBN). 5- No BBS Advertising! BBS ads are not encouraged, remember that the SysOp pays the phone bills to carry CBN. CBN Sysops may post an ad once a week promoting their own system. 5a- No commercial posts of any kind are allowed by users. CBN sysops who run a comic related business may advertise once a week by placing a message in the Splash Page conference. Any business gained by use of CBN must be moved off of the network as soon as is possible. 6- No foul language! A lot of comic collectors and fans are kids. We don't want to be responsible for little Johnny using the "F" word at dinner with the local clergyman. 7- Use your best judgment. If you wouldn't like it done to you, then don't do it to others. Remember what your mother said; "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." ■ Violators will be warned ONCE! A second offense of any kind will result in a 30 day suspension from the net. Any further violations following a suspension will result in the violator being removed from the Net. ------------------- YIKES! LEGAL STUFF! ------------------- ■ Pursuant to the Electronics Communications Privacy Act of 1986, 18 USC 2510 et. seq., all BBS SysOps and users participating in CBN, MUST be made aware that there are "NO" facilities provided by the Net for sending or receiving private mail. Although a message may be marked as "private", users and SysOps must be aware that all SysOps in CBN and users with high enough security (SysOps, Co-SysOps, etc...) will be able to read any message made private. ■ This is a legal agreement between YOU, the network users, and the administrators of CBN. By applying for and/or using CBN you are agreeing to be bound by the guidelines and conditions contained in this file and all files relating to the operation of CBN. ■ CBN and all related files are Copyright (c) 1996 The Net Administrators. CBN is a free message network that earns no income for any participating BBS, sysop or host. The Net Administrators may and most likely will change as time goes on. NO ONE person owns anything about this net other than the equipment they use to access it. It's non-tangible and holds no value other than to serve as a means of communications between participating members. ■ Permission is also given to use any message posted in CBN for any purpose, provided the author of the message and CBN are given proper credit as the source of the message. ■ You are granted the right to use the name and logo for PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. ■ The Net Administrators and member sysops shall be free of any and all claims. Each Node shall hold harmless CBN from any wrong doing caused by any user of CBN or the operation of CBN. ■ "Excelsior!" (Hey, if Stan Lee can say it, why can't I?)