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                  The Fidonet PARROTS Echo, Rules and Policies
                                April, 1996
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  These are the rules for the PARROTS Echo conference, coordinated out of
  1:2410/400 by Kathy Johnson, Moderator.  Rules are posted monthly in
  the echo, and may be updated as needed, to keep up with changes on the
  echo. Users should keep a copy and refer to them as necessary
  1. PARROTS is an English language echo for those interested in any kind of
     exotic bird kept as a pet, or bred, in a domestic situation.  Extended
     discussions of outdoor bird-watching expeditions, etc., should be taken
     to an appropriate echo.  Test messages, BBS ads, and other nonsense are
     not permitted.  Messages must remain on the topic of this conference as
     described herein.
  2. LIMIT YOUR QUOTING OF OTHER MESSAGES.
     Just enough to let one know what you're replying about is enough.
     Sysops pay to transmit these echoes out of the goodness of their
     hearts, and the more you quote, the more it costs the sysop.  Please
     don't use Hi-Ascii, or Ascii/ANSI Art.  Some systems choke on the wrong
     characters, besides, it wastes space.
     WHEN REPLYING TO A MESSAGE, BE SURE THAT THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR
     MESSAGE REFLECTS WHAT YOU ARE REALLY TALKING ABOUT! This aids
     the busy users who follow threads by topic, and helps new people
     figure out what we are talking about.
  3. Please, real names only. It is hard to carry on a serious conversation
     with someone whose name is Giggles. If your bbs uses handles, ask your
     sysop to insert your real name before sending your posts out onto the
     echo.
  4. Be Friendly.  No flames or personal attacks or insults.  While debate
     and civilized disagreement on issues are the spice of life in any echo,
     if you feel a need to ARGUE and INSULT, take it to Netmail.  It is not
     welcome in the echo. Foul or obscene language will NOT be tolerated.
     ***Please keep in mind that you are writing to real, live humans with
     emotions and feelings--do not write anything that you wouldn't say to
     their face in person!***
  5. When you reply to someone's post, please keep in mind that there are
     users with all levels of bird experience out here, from brand-new
     beginners to veteran breeders.  Quite often someone will post a
     question that has an obvious answer because they are simply too new to
     owning birds to know it is obvious.  Be as clear as possible when
     replying, to avoid misunderstandings. Take the time to re-read
     your reply before sending it to be certain that it doesn't sound
     harsh or accusing, and remember to be patient with the new bird
     owners and new users.
  6. FOR SALE ADS
     ONE "for sale" ad per MONTH per USER will be permitted.  It MUST
     contain a voice telephone number for replies.  ALL replies should be
     via telephone, or netmail (if your BBS allows it), NOT in the echo.
     Posting an Internet address within advertisements for private
     e-mail replies is permitted.
     Public discussion about products being sold by users is permitted,
     but repeated offers in the same month to sell or give samples of a
     specific product, publication or service are not allowed.
     Taglines and origin lines MAY contain advertising as long as they
     include a telephone number or netmail address that interested parties
     may use to get further information.
  The moderator is the only authority on how infractions of the rules will
  be handled.  Warnings will be issued via the echo, or by netmail.
  (Response to a warning is not needed, or wanted, in the echo.)  Repeat
  offenders will have access to PARROTS revoked.  Any system refusing to
  remove such a user will have its feed cut.
  Hopefully, this type of action will not be needed. While moderators try to
  be fair and consistent in their rulings, we are not judges and are not
  bound by precedent.  We may, at times, appear arbitrary but we are
  volunteers and doing this on our own time.
  This echo may not be exported to any other network or mail system without
  the express written permission of the Moderator.
  Discussion of Moderator policy in the open echo is off topic, except that
  the Moderator reserves the right to post special messages relating to such
  policy from time to time for the enlightenment of all participants.  All
  comments & suggestions can be sent to Kathy Johnson at the addresses
  below. All flames will be ignored.  Thank you for abiding by these
  rules.
  Sincerely,
  Kathy Johnson, Moderator,
  Fidonet PARROTS Echo
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  I can be reached at the following addresses:
 Fido netmail: Bloom County bbs   "Kathy Johnson" 1/2410:400
 Internet direct: kjohnson@ddc.com (preferred)
              or: kjohnson@mi.ack.org
--Kathy
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