Seattle Community Network (SCN) Policy Statement Revision: June 21, 1994 I. GUIDELINES SCN is committed to the following guidelines for network users: + FREE SPEECH SCN is committed to maintaining free speech rights for all participants. + FREE ACCESS SCN is committed to providing free access to information for the community at large. + RIGHT TO PRIVACY SCN is committed to maintaining the privacy of individuals. + DUE PROCESS SCN is committed to maintaining the right to due process of individual users of the network. SCN does not and will not have any agreements with individuals or organizations that require restrictions to its policies, the code of etiquette, or the disclaimer. SCN will not sell or give its list of registered users to other organizations. Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, Seattle Chapter (CPSR/Seattle), the nonprofit organization providing SCN, may contact users, via US Mail, for fundraising purposes. If SCN becomes independent of CPSR/Seattle, CPSR will respect the new organization's nondistribution policy. SCN will not disclose any information about individual users without a court mandate and approval of the the governing board. Before disclosing information we will attempt to notify affected users. II. USER REGISTRATION SCN has both nonregistered and registered users. + NONREGISTERED USER As a nonregistered user, you can browse freely on the network. If you want to have additional network privileges, you need to become a registered user. + REGISTERED USER As a registered user, you can browse anywhere in the network and have access to all its materials and services. You can post your own materials and information, contribute to online discussions, and send and receive electronic mail (e-mail). To become a registered user: (1) complete a registration form, which includes the code of etiquette. (2) Read and agree to follow the Seattle Community Network policy statement and the code of etiquette. (3) Read and acknowledge your understanding of the Seattle Community Network "Disclaimer." Registered user accounts are for individuals only. Organizations must also sign up under an individual user account. III. SERVICES + INFORMATION ACCESS All Information on SCN is private, except for what is published in forums and other public information areas. + FORUMS Definition: A forum is a "place" on the network devoted to the interactive discussion of a specific topic. All users can read and registered users can post messages that fit the stated purpose of the forum. SCN does not support or allow exclusionary forums. SCN supports community and open access to information. Registered users may request the creation of a new forum. Active forums will be kept on the network. Inactive forums will be deleted after a period of time set by the governing board. A description of the purpose and nature of each forum and its criteria for message posting can be found on the network. If you have a complaint about a forum, you can petition the governing board to investigate your complaint and the conduct of the forum. There are two types of forums: moderated and unmoderated. Moderated forums ---------------- Messages to moderated forums are reviewed by a person, or group os people, to determine if they are in keeping with the stated theme and purpose of the forum. Moderators have the right to reject your message and not allow it to be posted. Unmoderated forums ------------------ Messages to unmoderated forums are not reviewed prior to posting. + INFORMATION PUBLICATION Definition: Information Publication is a service allowing information providers to post material for all users to read. Information Providers are users or associations of users including businesses and organizations. Information Providers communicate information through a designated individual user or users. + CLASSIFIED ADS If you are a registered user, you can post classified ads in the classifieds area. Ads are limited to a certain number of words and can be posted for a limited period of time. Businesses and organizations must identify themselves as such. + ELECTRONIC MAIL (e-mail) Electronic mail (e-mail) is a service to facilitate private communication between two or more people. SCN supports e-mail distribution lists for groups of users who which to send messages to a select set of people. Unsolicited advertising via e-mail is not permitted on SCN. This prohibits both commercial and non-profit advertisements or requests. + INFORMATION "FILTER" If you are a registered user, you can use a "filter" facility provided by the network to screen out unwanted postings or mail. IV. GOVERNANCE Until such time as by-laws have been written, the SCN Governing Board will consist of the members of the Coordinating Council. The Coordinating Council is responsible for maintaining policy documents (e.g. Code of Etiquette, Disclaimer) and settling disputes. Known violations of the Code of Etiquette will result in warnings from the governing board and may lead to revocation of registered status for an indefinite amount of time. Any warnings or revocations can be appealed to the governing board. Governing board decisions are final. Of course individuals can still use the system as non-registered users. If an individual would like to challenge any items on the code of etiquette, the governing board will listen to the challenge and make a decision. Users have the right to appeal any decision made by the governing board.