              Sound Bytes International Musicians' E-Mail Network
                      Member/User Policy and Practices
                       Copyright (c) 1996 Sound Bytes
                           Release v.1.0 03-22-96

The Administration does not intend interfere with any Sysops' authority
on their own bbs systems.  All Sound Bytes Network participating systems
must abide by all present and, or, future network rules.  The Sound Bytes
Network was created, and is owned by, Tony Szablowski, all rights reserved.
All Sound Bytes Network rules and regulations are enforced by the Net
Administrator, Tony Szablowski.


Ŀ
 General Information 

The Sound Bytes Network is a system of bulletin boards linked together through
telecommunications devices that share common message conferences, which are
echoed between these bulletin boards via respective "Hubs."   The Sound Bytes
Network is a voluntary service provided by participating System Operators,
their respective bulletin board systems, and The Merchants of Venus BBS.


Ŀ
 User Rules & Policy 

A:  Flaming or similar personal attacks on this network are prohibited.
    Derogatory, racial, ethnic, or other such remarks will not be tolerated
    and are grounds for expulsion from the network.

B:  Profane, abusive or offensive language, indecent, or demeaning posts are
    strictly prohibited.  Abusive, offensive, or lewd graphics are prohibited.
    Topics deemed in poor taste, immoral, or unethical by Admin are prohibited.
    Insulting, slanderous, abusive, or instigative posts are also prohibited.

C:  Quoting size is limited to what is NECESSARY for "train of thought."
    Fancy box-quoting utilities are banned from use in the Sound Bytes Network.
    BBS-specific software, for example, Wildcat! BBS "@xx@" codes, are
    prohibited in any Sound Bytes conference.   Tagline quoting is not to be
    let out of hand.  Excessive tagline quoting prohibited.

D:  No illegal activities will be tolerated, including, but not limited to,
    PIRACY, PHREAKING, or other CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES in violation of any and
    all laws in the state of New Jersey or any other state, union or
    sovereign nation.  The Sound Bytes Network, The Merchants of Venus BBS,
    and it's owners and/or operators may not be held responsible for any
    action that is taken by any law enforcement agencies because of messages
    originating from or appearing in any Sound Bytes Network message
    conference.  The Merchants of Venus BBS and all member boards agree to
    cooperate fully with any legitimate law enforcement agency in any
    investigation pertaining to the messages within this network.

E:  No warranties expressed or implied, are made by the network or by any
    participating nodes regarding the contents or subject matter contained
    within network messages.  The Merchants of Venus BBS and The Sound Bytes
    Network, its operators and, or, owners, assume no responsibility for any
    damage to, or actions take against, a member system because of messages
    carried in this network.

F:  Encryption of any type, for any reason, is prohibited in all Sound Bytes
    conferences.  English is the only language to be used anywhere within
    The Sound Bytes echoes.

G:  BBS advertisements are STRICTLY prohibited in ANY Sound Bytes conference.

    Fast cash, get rich quick, or MLM posts are illegal and never tolerated.
    Violators will be prosecuted.  Any such posts are grounds for instant
    removal and the poster being banned from The Sound Bytes Network.

    Donation requests, unless specified in an advertisement for a public event
    or band newsletter are prohibited.

    This does NOT include requests from Shareware or Freeware software authors.


Ŀ
 Sysop Rules & Policy 

A:  Messages on this network are public and accessible to every user on
    every node of this network.  Limited access to some conferences will
    be based on security level.  The Administration conference should be
    restricted to SysOps only.  Remember that even "private" messages can
    usually be read by other SysOps or Co-SysOps!  It is NOT the
    responsibility of the Admin or owners of The Sound Bytes Network to
    inform and, or, remind your users this.

B:  Network SysOps have the ability and responsibility to monitor the
    messages routed through their Hubs and Nodes, and are responsible
    for "policing" their own system's users.

C:  Real names MUST be used.  ALIASES or HANDLES are NOT allowed in any Sound
    Bytes conference, unless the user was given specific permission by the
    Admin to do so.

D:  Messages should be contained within suitable conferences that address
    the subject thread.  Please name your Sound Bytes conferences something
    along the subject of that pertaining echo so users will know what each
    Sound Bytes echo is about.  Continuous posting of off topic messages will
    not be tolerated.

    Conference Moderators, appointed by the Network Administrator, have the
    right and obligation to monitor for such activity, and take whatever
    action is deemed appropriate, including, but not limited to, requesting
    that a SysOp electronically "bar" or suspend a user from The Sound Bytes
    Network either permanently or for a specified length of time.  Failure
    of a Sound Bytes member system to act on a Moderator's request is reason
    for appeal by the Moderator to the Network Administrator for further
    action, including, but not limited to, the possible suspension or
    expulsion of the system from the network.

    Any user found to be in violation of any network rule will be issued a
    warning, and/or on the judgement of the Network Administrator, be
    prevented from accessing any or all network conferences from ALL network
    nodes.  In other words, a strict, but fair, policy should be adhered to
    by all nodes and hubs in The Sound Bytes Network.

E:  The right to participate in the entity known as Sound Bytes Network is
    at the sole discretion of the Network Administrator or his appointed
    delegates. The only recourse to appeal any decision is to appeal directly
    to the Network Administrator.  ALL DECISIONS MADE BY THE NETWORK
    ADMINISTRATOR ARE FINAL.  You and your users are granted access to this
    network by the Network Administrator or his delegates.  This privilege may
    be revoked at any time without prior notice.  This should only happen if
    a flagrant violation of the policy is determined.  No system is guaranteed
    the right to carry or participate in The Sound Bytes Network or any of its
    conferences.

F:  The Network Administrator may, at his discretion, assemble a body of
    member systems to form a Committee to oversee the operation of The Sound
    Bytes Network. This Committee shall have the vested power to make any and
    all decisions regarding the rules of and operation of the network with the
    same authority as if these decisions were made be the Network Admin.

    However, the Network Admin maintains the right and power to veto any and
    all decisions made by this body.  The Network Administrator will appoint
    the members of this body to their respective posts.  The Network Admin
    also reserves to right to remove a member from, or disband the Committee
    in it's entirety.  If the Committee so chooses, future appointments to
    this Committee may be made by a vote of the current members of the
    Committee in which majority rules, again subject to final approval by
    the Network Administrator.

G:  All Policy and Practices' revisions, deletions or changes will be made by
    the Network Administrator and/or the Administrative Committee, subject
    to the Network Administrator's approval.
                                             
H:  All systems applying for Hub status are REQUIRED to carry all conferences
    available on the network, and to poll their Hub DAILY for new mail.  Any
    Hub not in compliance may be dropped from the Network, or to Node level.
    Exceptions may be made by the Network Administrator on a case-by-case
    basis.  Nodes are only required to carry the any conference marked
    "REQUIRED" in the conference list, and may poll their Hub for mail as
    little as twice a week (although daily is encouraged).


    Tony Szablowski,
    Network Administrator
    The Merchants of Venus BBS
    March 22, 1996

