MULTICOM-4 DATA SERVICES, INC. -- THE MULTICOM-4 BBS NETWORK POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF OPERATION ==================================== The MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System is a not-for-profit, private, free service available to anyone, twenty-one years of age or older, who agrees to abide by the policies and procedures that are outlined below. [Note: The age limit was changed 08/08/91 in response to numerous user requests. Members who were of Eighteen (18) years or older, who are already on-line before this change will remain on-line unless their actions on this System warrent the removal of his/her account. In such a case wheras an underage (18-20) member is removed from the system for any reason, he/she/they will NOT be granted access again until he/she reach the age of Twenty-One (21). Sig-Ops (SIG Operator(s)) must be Twenty-One (21) years old, or older.] [Note: participation in the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System does not, in any way, indicate the sexual orientation of the user.] Purpose ======= The MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System functions as an educational and social system providing its users a convenient electronic medium by which information may be distributed and obtained. THe MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System was intially created and designed to meet the needs of the Rochester gay and lesbian community. Since its inception, the service of the system have expanded providing information exchange of an educational, health, social, politicial, religious and entertainment nature. The MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System does not restrict its use to members of the gay and lesbian community. The policy of the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System is that it grants access to any party over the age of twenty-one (21) without regard to sex, sexual preference or sexual affection, race, creed, religion, or handicap. Liability ========= The MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System and its System Operator(s) (Sysop(s)) assume no responsibility for the accuracy of any information appearing in or provided by this service, including personal communications between users. No warranty is expressed or implied regarding the integrity of information stored in this system or the length of time such information will remain available. The inclusion of the name of any individual, business, or organization in any message/information supplied through this system does not, in any way, indicate the sexual orientation of that person or the owners or officers of that business or organization. Content ======= Any messages posted in this system by its users that may appear to be, in the opinion of the Sysop(s), bigoted, slanderous, obviously inaccurate, offensive, anti-gay or anti-lesbian in nature, or that appear to be illegal or for illegal purposes will be removed. The Sysop(s) reserve(s) the sole right to evaluate messages according to these criteria. The MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System may not be used for the solicitation of sex with minors. All users of the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System affirm that they are over 21 years of age. Any intentional falsification of age or any other information when applying for access privileges, or any attempt to use this system to solicit sex with minors is considered sufficient justification for immediate and permanent termination of access privileges. Further, modification or deletion of user identification information from the account tracking files (i.e., changing personal account information after the account is verified) is also sufficient justification for immediate and permanent termination of access privileges. Accuracy of your personal data (full legal name, residential street address, residential telephone number etc.) information in the "account information" section of the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System is required for both initial verification and on-going usage of the system. User's Rights and Responsibilities ================================== Each individual user on this board is assigned an account with a unique user account name ("handle") and password. Each user is expected to carefully protect the security of his/her password and to change those passwords often to avoid possible unauthorized access. Each "handle" is assigned for the use of one (and only one) individual user. It is forbidden for any user of the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System to "loan" his/her user account name or password to any other person for any purpose. Further, each individual user is entitled to one (and only one) account on this system. Duplicate accounts will be removed. Any individual attempting to violate these policies may, at the discretion of the Sysop(s), have his/her access to the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System removed for no less than six (6) months. Every user is entitled to one half an hour of connect time to the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System per day. This "free" access allotment will be refreshed at approximately 5:00 a.m. daily. For those users who wish additional connect time per day, additional time may be obtained through a donation of $.50 per hour ($5.00 minimum donation). Funds collected in the form of donations (through the sale of credits and otherwise) will be used to support the on- going development and operation of this system and are non-refundable. Appropriate levels of courtesy, responsibility, respect and common sense will be expected from all users of the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System. Disagreements, exchanges and debates are to be handled in a mature, adult manner. All public communications (i.e., those contained within the Special Interest Groups (SIGS), Teleconference, etc.) will avoid the use of real names, telephone numbers or addresses. Any messages posted that contain any of this information will either be immediately deleted or edited (at the discretion of the Sysop(s)); in addition, the posting user may have his/her access to the system restricted. Threats of aggression, either between or toward any users of the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System, will not be tolerated in any form. In the case of such threats, legal counsel will be consulted and the offending user(s) will be removed from the system immediately and permanently. Users may, if warranted, request that their account name ("handle") be changed. If such a change is approved, the user's existing account will be immediately deleted. The user may then (after a fifteen (15) day waiting period), log onto the system again as a "new" user. During this moratorium, the user will not be allowed any access whatsoever to the system. Any individual, organization or any other entity accessing this system does so at his/her/their own risk and responsibility. Neither MULTICOM-4 DATA SERVICES, INC., MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System, MULTICOM-4 BBS NETWORK nor the Sysop(s) assume any responsibility regarding the personal use of information supplied by this system, the appropriateness of that information supplied by this system, the appropriateness of that information to the user's needs or any consequences of such subsequent use. The Sysop(s) of the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System STRONGLY discourage(s) the inclusion of such information as personal telephone numbers, credit card numbers, or any other sensitive data that may be used illegally or cause embarrassment or harassment. Any individual user who chooses to include real names, telephone numbers, addresses, credit card numbers or any other information of any kind does so entirely at his/her own risk, and by so doing, personally assumes all responsibility therefor. NEITHER THE SYSOP(S), NOR MULTICOM-4 DATA SERVICES, INC. ASSUME ANY LIABILITY, IN PART OR WHOLE, IN ANY MANNER OR NATURE OF WHATEVER KIND AS A RESULT OF ANY LOSS INCURRED BY ANY INDIVIDUAL, ORGANIZATION OR OTHER ENTITY AS A RESULT OF THE POSTING OF ANY INFORMATION AS AFOREMENTIONED OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION OF ANY NATURE, MANNER OR KIND. Confidentiality =============== All information entered in the "personal data" section of a new account application is considered strictly confidential. Also, any information about a user of the system that is learned by the Sysop(s) in the normal course of events/transactions in operating the system will be considered strictly confidential; within the limits of the law, this information will not be divulged to anyone. In simple terms, this means that the Sysop(s) of the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System will not violate any statute or law in maintaining confidentiality -- if a law enforcement agency serves a court order, we will be forced to comply and supply our records. User Acceptance =============== Application for access to the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System and use of that privilege implies acceptance of all the policies, procedures and responsibilities herein contained. By logging onto this system as an approved user, the user affirms such acceptance and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, (corporately and individually), the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System, MULTICOM DATA SERVICES, INC. AND its Sysop(s) from any and all claims and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, in any actions directly or indirectly related to the use (or as a result of the use) of this system. Illegal Activities ================== The usage of the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System for illegal purposes (such as prostitution, sale or distribution of controlled substances, solicitation of sex with minors, etc.) will not be tolerated. Offenders will be permanently removed from the system and all information regarding the user's activities will be subsequently turned over to the appropriate legal authorities. Consequences ============ Repeated disregard for or violation of the above regulations, as well as any use of the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System for illegal purposes or activities, or any attempt to disrupt or interfere with the operation of this system (either directly or through provision of information or assistance to another attempting to do so), shall be sufficient cause for immediate termination of any access privileges. These consequences will occur at the sole discretion of the Sysop(s). In addition, the Sysop(s) may choose to utilize any legal recourse as is appropriate to the circumstances involved. NOTE: The policies and procedures of the MULTICOM-4 Bulletin Board System are subject to change at any time and without notice and are established at the sole discretion of the Sysop(s). Revised: 29 JUL 1989 08 AUG 1991 29 MAY 1992