By: Arlene H. Rinaldi
Academic/Institutional Support Services
Florida Atlantic University
July, 1994
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PREFACE
The formulation of this guide was motivated by a need to develop guidelines for all Internet protocols to ensure that users at Florida Atlantic University realize the Internet capabilities as a resource available, with the provision that they are responsible in how they access or transmit information through the Internet (The Net).
It is assumed that the reader has some familiarization with the terms and protocols that are referenced in this document.
Permission to duplicate or distribute this document is granted with the provision that the document remains intact or if used in pieces, that the original document source be referenced.
For additions, comments, suggestions and requests for revisions, please send Email to RINALDI@ACC.FAU.EDU.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Much of this guide was developed from comments and suggestions from NETTRAIN@UBVM (formally NET-TRAIN) LISTSERV subscribers and from several sources available on The Net:
A special acknowledgment to Wes Morgan, University of Kentucky Engineering Computing Center, for his advice and recommendations.
Pete Hoyle,William & Mary; Timothy A. Torres, San Jose State University; Paul Brians, Washington State University ; Paul F. Lambert, Bentley College; Philip M. Howard, Saint Mary's University; Gordon Swan, Florida Atlantic University; Pauline Kartrude, Florida Atlantic University; Beth Taney, Penn State; Debbie Shaffer, Penn State and USDA-CIT; Henry DeVries, Cornell; Jim Milles, SLU Law Library; Martin Raish, State University of New York at Binghamton; Steve Cisler, Apple Corporation; Tom Zillner, Wisconsin Interlibrary Services; Tom Goodrich, Stanford University; Jim Gerland, State University of NY at Buffalo; Ros Leibensperger, Cornell; Paul White, Northern Michigan University; Marilyn S. Webb, Penn State, Judith Hopkins, State University of NY at Buffalo, Ros McCarthy.
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INTRODUCTION
It is essential for each user on the network to recognize his/her responsibility in having access to vast services, sites, systems and people. The user is ultimately responsible for his/her actions in accessing network services.
The "Internet" or "The Net", is not a single network; rather, it is a group of thousands of individual networks which have chosen to allow traffic to pass among them. The traffic sent out to the Internet may actually traverse several different networks before it reaches its destination. Therefore, users involved in this internetworking must be aware of the load placed on other participating networks.
As a user of the network, you may be allowed to access other networks (and/or the computer systems attached to those networks). Each network or system has its own set of policies and procedures. Actions which are routinely allowed on one network/system may be controlled, or even forbidden, on other networks. It is the users responsibility to abide by the policies and procedures of these other networks/systems. Remember, the fact that a user *can* perform a particular action does not imply that they *should* take that action.
The use of the network is a privilege, not a right, which may temporarily be revoked at any time for abusive conduct. Such conduct would include, the placing of unlawful information on a system, the use of abusive or otherwise objectionable language in either public or private messages, the sending of messages that are likely to result in the loss of recipients' work or systems, the sending of "Chain letters," or "broadcast" messages to lists or individuals, and any other types of use which would cause congestion of the networks or otherwise interfere with the work of others.
Permanent revocations can result from disciplinary actions taken by a panel judiciary board called upon to investigate network abuses.
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ELECTRONIC MAIL AND FILES- USER RESPONSIBILITY
The content and maintenance of a user's electronic mailbox is the users responsibility:
- Check Email daily and remain within your limited disk quota.
- Delete unwanted messages immediately since they take up disk storage.
- Keep messages remaining in your electronic mailbox to a minimum.
- Mail messages can be downloaded or extracted to files then to disks for future reference.
- Never assume that your Email can be read by no one except yourself; others may be able to read or access your mail. Never send or keep anything that you would not mind seeing on the evening news.
The content and maintenance of a user's disk storage area is the users responsibility:
- Keep files to a minimum. Files should be downloaded to your personal computer's hard drive or to disks.
- Routinely and frequently virus scan your system, especially when receiving or downloading files from other systems to prevent the spread of a virus.
- Your files may be accessible by persons with system privileges, so do not maintain anything private in your disk storage area.
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TELNET PROTOCOL
- Many telnetable services have documentation files available online (or via ftp). Download and review instructions locally as opposed to tying up ports trying to figure out the system.
- Be courteous to other users wishing to seek information or the institution might revoke Telnet access; remain only on the system long enough to get your information, then exit off of the system.
- Screen captured data or information should be downloaded to your personal computer's hard disk or to disks.
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ANONYMOUS FTP - FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL
- Users should respond to the PASSWORD prompt with their Email address, so if that site chooses, it can track the level of FTP usage. If your Email address causes an error, enter GUEST for the next PASSWORD prompt.
- When possible limit downloads, especially large downloads (1 Meg+), for after normal business hours locally and for the remote ftp host; preferably late in the evening.
- Adhere to time restrictions as requested by archive sites. Think in terms of the current time at the site that's being visited, not of local time.
- Copy downloaded files to your personal computer hard drive or disks to remain within disk quota.
- When possible, inquiries to Archie should be in mail form.
- It's the user's responsibility when downloading programs, to check for copyright or licensing agreements. If the program is beneficial to your use, pay any authors registration fee. If there is any doubt, don't copy it; there have been many occasions on which copyrighted software has found its way into ftp archives. Support for any downloaded programs should be requested from the originator of the application. Remove unwanted programs from your systems.
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ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
(Email, LISTSERV groups, Mailing lists, and Usenet)
- Keep paragraphs and messages short and to the point.
- Focus on one subject per message and always include a pertinent subject title for the message, that way the user can locate the message quickly.
- Don't use the academic networks for commercial or proprietary work.
- Include your signature at the bottom of Email messages. Your signature footer should include your name, position, affiliation and Internet and/or BITNET addresses and should not exceed more than 4 lines. Optional information could include your address and phone number.
- Capitalize words only to highlight an important point or to distinguish a title or heading. *Asterisks* surrounding a word also can be used to make a stronger point. Capitalizing whole words that are not titles is generally termed as SHOUTING!
- Limit line length and avoid control characters.
- Follow chain of command procedures for corresponding with superiors. For example, don't send a complaint via Email directly to the "top" just because you can.
- Be professional and careful what you say about others. Email is easily forwarded.
- Cite all quotes, references and sources and respect copyright and license agreements.
- It is considered extremely rude to forward personal email to mailing lists or Usenet without the original author's permission.
- Be careful when using sarcasm and humor. Without face to face communications your joke may be viewed as criticism.
- Acronyms can be used to abbreviate when possible, however messages that are filled with acronyms can be confusing and annoying to the reader. Examples:
* IMHO= in my humble/honest opinion
* FYI = for your information
* BTW = by the way
* Flame = antagonistic criticism
* :-) = happy face for humor
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LISTSERVS/MAILING LISTS/ DISCUSSION GROUPS
Some mailing lists have low rates of traffic, others can flood your mailbox with several hundred mail messages per day. Numerous incoming messages from various listservers or mailing lists by multiple users, requires extensive system processing which can tie up valuable resources. Subscription to Interest Groups or Discussion Lists should be kept to a minimum and should not exceed what your disk quota can handle, or you for that matter.
- When you join a list, monitor the messages for a few days to get a feel for what common questions are asked, and what topics are deemed off-limits. This is commonly referred to as lurking. When you feel comfortable with the group, then start posting.
- See if there is a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for a group that you are interested in joining. Veteran members get annoyed when they see the same questions every few weeks, or at the start of each semester.
- Follow any and all guidelines that the listowner has posted; the listowner establishes the local "netiquette" standards for her/his list.
- Keep in mind that some discussion lists or Usenet groups have members from many countries. Don't assume that they will understand a reference to TV, movies, pop culture, or current events in your country. If you must use the reference, please explain it.
- Don't join a list just to post inflammatory messages - this upsets most system administrators and you could lose access to the net ("mail bombing").
- Keep your questions and comments relevant to the focus of the discussion group.
- If another person posts a comment or question that is off the subject, do NOT reply to the list and keep the off- subject conversation going publicly.
- When someone posts an off-subject note, and someone else criticizes that posting, you should NOT submit a gratuitous note saying "well, I liked it and lots of people probably did as well and you guys ought to lighten up and not tell us to stick to the subject".
- When going away for more than a week, unsubscribe or suspend mail from any mailing lists or LISTSERV services.
- If you can respond to someone else's question, do so through email. Twenty people answering the same question on a large list can fill your mailbox (and those of everyone else on the list) quickly.
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