Rules for the FidoNet Atari 8-bit echo. (Update - 10/09/94)
 
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This is the "Atari" 8-bit echo. It is dedicated to the discussion of the 
Atari line of 6502 based computers, such as 400/800 and XL/XE series, 
along with other Atari and third party hardware and software that support 
these computers. 
 
The following rules are in effect for those who participate in this echo by 
writing or replying to messages. 
 
 
                        ATARI 8-bit Echo Rules. 
 
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1. THE BASIC POLICIES OF FIDONET WILL APPLY. DO NOT BE TOO QUICKLY OFFENDED 
AND DO NOT BE QUICK TO OFFEND OTHERS. 
 Encouraging, assisting or participating in any illegal activities is 
prohibited. 
 Personal attacks or "flames" are prohibited. If you feel you have been 
attacked, do not respond with a "flame" of your own. If you feel you must 
respond, be polite and do not let the situation become inflamed. Also, 
obscene language or personally directed remarks will NOT be tolerated. 
 
2. REAL NAMES MUST BE USED IN THE MESSAGE HEADINGS WHEN WRITING OR REPLYING 
TO MESSAGES. 
 This is not intended to limit access of this echo to persons logged on under 
their own names. However, if you intend to WRITE or REPLY to messages, you
may 
do so only if you are not using a "handle." Anyone given access to this echo 
by their FidoNet Sysop may READ messages in this area. 
 
3. COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING IS PROHIBITED IN THIS ECHO. 
 This rule is non-negotiable. Some telephone companies have determined that 
commercial advertising on a private or "home" bulletin board system 
constitutes evidence that it is a commercial system and must be operated at 
commercial phone rates. Since this is a national echo, reaching all areas of 
the country, advertising of this nature could result in excessive financial 
costs to some systems operators. 
 This is not intended to exclude PERSONAL offers of sale or trade of used 
equipment as long as it is not excessive. A single message offering your sale 
items would be considered reasonable. Multiple messages in a short period of 
time would be excessive, assuming they are not in response to questions or of 
a clarification nature. In other words, don't make your offer to every person 
you reply to. Once is enough for everyone to read.
 Items that are for sale or trade are considered OFF-TOPIC to this echo, if it
does not pertain to the 6502 based Atari computers. Messages that are OFF-
TOPIC are discussed within rule 7 listed below.
 
4. ADVERTISING BULLETIN BOARDS FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF SOLICITING NEW CALLERS 
IS NOT PERMITED. 
 Since callers here are from all over the country, it is not considered 
appropriate for you to solicit callers who would have to pay long distance 
phone rates to reach your BBS on this network as you would on other local 
bulletin boards. However, responses to questions or requests that include 
essential information about any particular BBS is okay. Name, phone number, 
hours, parameters, etc. are essential. i.e. Someone inquires about the 
availability of some public domain or shareware file canbe told where and 
how to get it on another BBS. How many "megs", message bases or games a 
bulletin board carries is not essential information. No bragging, just the 
facts. 
 
5. PERSONAL MESSAGES, NOT RELATING TO THE TOPIC OF ATARI COMPUTERS, ARE NOT 
ALLOWED. 
 Don't carry on personal conversations if it does not pertain to the topic of 
the echo. Take such discussions to private or Netmail. 
 
6. QUOTING AN ENTIRE MESSAGE, IN MOST CASES, IS NOT ACCEPTABLE WHEN WRITING A 
REPLY. LIMIT YOUR QUOTES TO ONLY THOSE PORTIONS OF THE MESSAGE NECESSARY TO 
EMPHASIZE YOUR REPLY. 
 Fidonet Sysops have to pay for the transmission of these messages many times 
over. Repeating long messages over and over becomes an unnecessary monitary 
expense and is unjustifiable. Keep the quotes short and to the point you are 
addressing in your reply. If you found the whole message interesting, fine. 
Tell the writer that but don't send it all back to him or her because
somebody 
has to pay for it. Never quote the footers or origin lines unless it 
specifically pertains to your reply. Multiple origin lines can confuse other 
readers. 
 
7. OFF-TOPIC DISCUSSIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED. 
 If you want to carry on a discussion about Atari ST computers, take it to 
the Atari_ST echo. Non-Atari computers are not considered off-topic as long 
as they relate to emulating or interfacing with Atari 8-bit computers. "My 
computer is better than your computer" does not belong in this echo. This is 
a judgement call by the echo moderator, so don't press it too hard. 
 
8. DISCUSSION OF COPYRIGHT LAWS IS OFF OFF-TOPIC
 I hated to have to put this rule in, but continued arguments by a few
individuals with a 'pirate attitude' has forced me to do so. Some individuals
seem it necessary to enlist solitation for their improper views of copyright
and civil laws for author and company protections, either for condonment of
their actions or for attempts at making this echo a 'pirate source'.
Therefore, all discussion of copyright laws, either for or against, is
considered unproductive to the nature of this echos topic and FidoNet policy.
'Cracks', if done improperly, IS illegal by nature and is also consider
unproductive by this moderator. It too, is considered as off-topic to the
nature of this echo and FidoNet. Since there exists a very volitile 'grey'
area of this subject matter, the conservative or safer rule is just not to
allow it. If you wish to talk about legality of a particular item, then take
it to the LEGAL or LAW echos. Such discussion is beyond the scope and the
designed topic of this echo.

9. HAVE FUN. 
 This one is tough to moderate. If the echo moderator feels from the tone of 
your messages over a period of time, that you are not enjoying yourself, you 
may find a caution message in your Netmail a few days later. 
 
 
 
                                         Larry Black 
                                         Atari Echo Moderator 
 
 
 
--- Harvey's Robot v4.50

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