Thank you for downloading this information file concerning U'NI-net, the network for users. The purpose of this document is to let you know a little more about what many think is the best managed and friendliest EchoMail network. þ WHAT IS U'NI-net? þ U'NI (Pronounced YOU AND I) network was formed by a small group of volunteer sysops to provide EchoMail service suitable for users of all ages. The network continues to be operated and administered by volunteers dedicated to serving the users of U'NI-net. PURPOSE: ------- The goal of U'NI is a simple one: to promote the exchange of information. As a distributor of electronic mail, we focus our efforts on the users, eliminating nearly all of the political infrastructure which can be found in any other EchoMail network. This focusing allows quality, current information to be distributed quickly to everyone. ACTIONS: ------- To get the latest quality information requires the right connections and we certainly have them. Many of our hardware and software related conferences are hosted by the author, or a representative of the vendor. Many of our users are working professionals in the computer industry that offer experiences, advice, and tips that cannot be found anywhere for any price. USERS AND SYSOPS: ---------------- Diversity ! That's how we achieve our goal. We want to find users with knowledge of subjects from Alchemy to Zymurgy who are willing to share it. The network exists for users to help each other. In sysops we look for people who want to be actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the network. U'NI-net continues to evolve and there is a plethora of opportunities available to help shape and determine the direction of this network. If you are interested in becoming a member sysop of U'NI-net please read read files UNISYSOP.TXT in this archive. NETWORK GUIDELINES: ------------------ In an effort to maximize quality, minimize regulations and provide you the best service possible we have "Guidelines" which apply to all (sysops and users) and they are as follows: 1) The Network may only be used for legal purposes. Even through the network is available world wide, Federal laws of the United States will be observed. 2) Abusive or offensive language (profanity and non-profanity included), name calling, personal attacks and other such forms of verbal combat will not be tolerated. 3) U'NI-net provides access to users of all ages from all over the world. In that all ages of users are welcome it is requested that discretion be used so "message text as well as subject matter" is suitable for viewing by users of all ages. 4) Aliases which are obvious are not permitted. Real sounding aliases are allowed if the local sysop approves. Dynamite Dan would not be allowed, where Dan Smith would be. CONFERENCE GUIDELINES: --------------------- In an effort to keep each conference on topic and minimize user distraction, Conference Guidelines have been established as follows: 1) COLOR MESSAGES: The posting of messages which contain ANSI or other color code sequences is restricted to the ANSI-ART conference ONLY. In this case the term "message" includes the header, body and any tagline(s) if used. 2) FOR SALE or TRADE ITEMS: The posting of messages offering one or more items for sale or trade or for free are permitted only in the BUY-SELL and WORLDMARKET conferences subject to the following exceptions; A) FIREARMS and MUNITIONS: Firearms and/or munition offered for sale, trade or free will be posted in the GUNS conference ONLY. 3) ENCRYPTED MESSAGES: The posting of encrypted (scrambled) messages is not allowed. This includes encryption "keys" as part of non-encrypted messages. Messages that contain short binary executable files that have been converted to text characters by programs such as UUENCODE so that they may be transmitted as a message and posted in a conference such as DOS-TIPS are not considered to be an encrypted message. The management team may approve a Conference Host' request for exception to a conference guideline. Please contact the Conference Host for complete details. UNI-USERS CONFERENCE: ------------------- This conference provides our users with a means of contacting U'NI-net management directly should they care to offer a suggestion or comment, or to report violations of Network Guidelines. If you feel you have been the victim of a guideline violation or you are experiencing a problem or difficulty within a particular conference you are encouraged to advise the Network Host by posting a message addressed to Network Host CAM DEBUCK in the "UNI-USERS" conference. If possible please provide a copy of the offending message including all header and tagline information. USER INFORMATION: ---------------- EchoMail sent on U'NI-net is sorted by "Conference" with each conference having an assigned topic and a "Conference Host" whose duty is to welcome new users, keep the conference messaging "on topic" and to provide assistance if or when needed. Conference Hosts are solicited by the Conference Coordinator who will in most cases post one or more public message(s) as new conferences are formed, when vacancies occur or as the need for a conference host (or co-host) arises. Conference Hosting is performed on a "voluntary" basis and any user may apply to the Conference Coordinator for consideration. OTHER CONFERENCES: ----------------- A list of available conferences with a brief description of each conference can be found in file "conflist" in this archive, or a more detailed description with the name of the conference host and their access point is contained in file UNICONF.DES within archive UNI###CD.ZIP. If you find a U'NI conference whose topic is of interest to you but is not available on the U'NI-net BBS you access, send a request to your sysop to carry the conference. MESSAGING: --------- The transmission of EchoMail generated on U'NI-net often results in toll, long distance, and international telephone charges. These charges are voluntarily paid by the U'NI-net sysops as a service to our users. For this reason we request of our users: 1) Do not overquote previous message text, please limit quoting to the minimum text necessary for the receiver to understand or remember the subject under discussion. 2) The size and length of signatures be kept to a minimum. MANAGEMENT ---------- Day to day decisions regarding normal operations of the network are handles by Network Host Cam Debuck. Major decisions are decided by discussion and majority vote of the U'NI-net Management Team. The Management Team is made up of the following individuals: Network Host ------------ Cam Debuck Official Hubs ------------- Alan Bevis Cam DeBuck Dave Franks Dave Halliday Hans Joergen John Kirkman Marius Kirschner Osman Noor Mohamed Cindy Niespodzianski William Padilla Doug Reigler Charles Shapiro Recorder -------- Charles Shapiro Conference Coordiator --------------------- John Ewin Members may be added or removed by a majority vote of the existing Management Team. Any member of the Team may initiate a discussion or propose a vote. Sysops or Users who would like to see a change made in the way the Network operates should contact a member of the Management Team regarding a vote proposal. .