postann@cbosgd.UUCP (05/03/84)
This message describes some of the rules of conduct on Usenet. The rules vary depending on the newsgroup. Some newsgroups are intended for discussions and some for announcements or queries. It is not usually a good idea to carry on discussions in newsgroups that are designated otherwise. It is never a good idea to carry on "meta-discussions" about whether a given discussion is appropriate - such traffic mushrooms until nobody can find articles that belong. If you are unhappy with what some user said, send them mail, don't post it. Before posting, think about where your article is going. If it's posted to a "net." newsgroup, it will go to the USA, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Certain articles are only of local interest (e.g. used car ads) and it is inappropriate to post them to the whole world. Use the "Distribution" feature to restrict distribution to your local area. Announcement of professional products or services on Usenet is allowed; however, since someone else is paying the phone bills for this, it is important that it be of overall benefit to Usenet. Post to an appropriate newsgroup, never a general purpose newsgroup such as net.general. Clearly mark your article as a product announcement in the subject. Never repeat these - one article per product at the most; preferably group everything into one article. Advertising hype is especially frowned upon - stick to technical facts. Obnoxious or inappropriate announcements, or articles violating this policy, are very serious and cause for removing your machine from Usenet. This policy is, of course, subject to change if it becomes a problem. Some newsgroups are moderated. In these groups, you cannot post directly, either by convention or because the software prevents it. To post to these newsgroups, send mail to the moderator. Newsgroup Moderator Purpose net.announce cbosgd!announce Important announcements for everyone on the net Some newsgroups have special purpose rules: Newsgroup Rules net.announce Moderated, no direct postings. net.general Announcements only, no discussions net.followup Followups to net.general, results of surveys (no discussions) net.wanted Queries, "I want an x", "Anyone want my x?". No discussions. Don't post to more than one xxx.wanted net.flame Normal standards of courtesy are not observed here. net.jokes Clean jokes only; anything offensive must be rotated; no discussions - jokes only. Discussions go in net.jokes.d net.movies Don't post anything revealing part of a movie without marking it (spoiler) in the subject. net.news.group Discussions about new groups: whether to create them and what to call them. Don't post yes/no votes, mail them to the author net.sources Big files such as source code net.test Use the smallest test group possible, e.g. "test" or "ucb.test". Say in the body what you are testing. net.women.only Men are discouraged from participating, and are forbidden from criticizing a topic or person in this newsgroup.