                    RockLink(tm) User Policy and Practices
                         Revised  DECEMBER, 1995
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RockLink is a network of bulletin board systems that share common message
conferences, which are echoed between these bulletin boards via respective
Hubs.  This network is a voluntary service provided by participating System
Operators, their respective bulletin board systems, and the Boston Rocks BBS.

RockLink is a trademark of Ron Doty / Boston Rocks.  All rights reserved.

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The following rules and regulations are applicable to all participants of
the RockLink(tm) message conferences.

These rules are NOT made to be harsh, but simply to provide control over
a large grouping of independent systems within the RockLink environment.
These rules are NOT meant to tell you how to run your own system, rather
they are set forth to maintain consistency among member systems.

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1.  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.

2.  No abusive or offensive language is allowed, and no abusive, offensive
    or lewd graphics are allowed and are grounds for expulsion from the 
    network.

3.  Real names must be used.  No ALIASES or HANDLES are allowed in any
    network conferences, except the "At the Bar" Adult Alias conference and
    Teen Chat conference.

4.  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 Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any other state, union
    or sovereign nation.  BOSTON ROCKS, its owners and/or its operators
    may not be held responsible for any action that is take by any law
    enforcement agencies because of messages originating from or appearing
    in the message conferences that comprise RockLink.  Boston Rocks and
    all member boards agree to cooperate fully with any legitimate law
    enforcement agency in any investigation pertaining to the messages
    within this network.

5.  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 your legal
    obligation to inform and remind users of this.
    
    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.

6.  Messages may be of any length if the matter contained within the message
    warrants it.  Excessive quoting is not permitted.  Recommended maximum
    message length allowed is 99 lines.  Please do not quote taglines.

7.  Messages should be contained within suitable conferences that address
    the subject thread.  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 RockLink either
    permanently or for a specified period of time.  Failure of a RockLink
    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.
    
8.  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 "Behave or Be Gone!" policy should be adhered
    to by all nodes and hubs in RockLink.

9.  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.  Boston Rocks, its operators, or owners assume
    no responsibility for any damage to or actions take against a member
    system because of messages carried in this network.

10. The right to participate in the entity known as RockLink 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 RockLink or any of its conferences.

11. The Network Administrator may, at his discretion, assemble a body of
    member systems to form a Committee to oversee the operation of RockLink.
    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 Administrator.
    However, the Network Administrator 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
    Administrator 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.

12. 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.

13. 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 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 Mandatory in the
    conference list, and may poll their Hub for mail as little as twice a
    week (although daily is encouraged).  RockLink has NO "minimum # of
    lines" requirement for our member systems as of the date of the policy,
    and plans no such restriction in the future.
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  Ron Doty, Boston Rocks BBS 
                                  <<< Network Administrator >>>
                              
                              Jim Ouellette, Mass Connections BBS 
                                  <<< Network Co-Administrator >>>
                                          December, 1995
