Rules for the FidoNet Atari 8-bit echo. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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. 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