Subj : FIDO_UTIL Echo Rules
To   : All Echo Participants
From : Moderator
Date : Sat May 15 2004 05:30 am

FIDO_UTIL - Fidonet Related SysOp Utils and Apps Discussion
Moderator - Sean Dennis, 1:11/200
Last updated: 01/22/2002

1 - This echo is for technical discussions of all Fidonet-related utils
    across all operating system platforms.  Especially welcome are
    discussions regarding existing utilities that appear to have "Y2K"
    problems and suggestions of replacement programs or work-arounds.
    (Please... if you're going to claim a Y2K problem, be prepared to
    prove your claim!) All discussions shall be of a technical nature only.
    If your discussion begins to go past this, please use netmail or email
    to continue it.  Those with more experience are asked to offer help to
    those new to this topic.  Please, be patient with the newbies! :-)

    NOTE: This is NOT a "my software is better than your software"
    conference and such discussions/debates are not only silly, they are
    not welcome here.  Comparisons and intelligent discussions on different
    Fido utility software are welcome, and should rely on technical
    aspects/facts, and not personal opinions. Discussion of routine Fidonet
    info or policies should be discussed (argued?) elsewhere.

    English is the language of this echo.

2 - Try to get along.  If someone posts something that gives you the urge
    to flame them, walk away from the keyboard and have a cool drink, not
    returning until that feeling passes.  If someone is being a PITA and
    flaming, let the moderator handle it, please!

3 - This echo should be restricted to sysops (or soon to be sysops) only.
    However, "interested parties" are allowed to participate.

4 - Please use your real name when posting here.

5 - Avoid creating unneeded traffic.  Here's a list of basic "No-no's":

 No: BBS ads, 'test' messages, "where are you from" chains, multiple
     tearlines, replies to off-topic messages, encrypted messages, PGP
     sigs, multiline sigs or taglines, playing moderator (unless you -are-
     the moderator), additional headers/footers in messages, hi-ASCII ASCII
     "artwork" (we really -don't- care to see it), uuencoded files, or
     huge amounts of over-quoting. <whew!>

     If a program (reader, tagline mgr, etc.) is adding extra junk to
     messages, please don't use it here.  (The moderator will decide
     what's "extra junk", and let you know.)

     Large/multiline/"artwork" signatures are -greatly- unwelcome, as
     well as listing every email account or FTN-type address you have.
     Leave it out, please.  One -short- line is an "acceptable" signature.

6 - Please, limit quoting in your replies.  (If you're quoting more than
    a couple lines, you're probably quoting too much.)  Never quote tag/
    tear/origin lines.

7 - "OS Bashing" is stupid, and not welcome here.  Don't do it.  Period.

8 - Rules of Common Courtesy apply at -all- times.  If you want to argue
    with, or complain to someone, do it elsewhere.  Play nice!

9 - File announcements are allowed by authors of utilities directly
    related to the topic of this echo.  You are also encouraged to help
    others find programs they may need.  When doing so, please include
    filenames, and what restrictions (if any) you have on file requests.
    In the case of files via HTTP or FTP, *try* to include the URL (and
    directory if needed) of the file as well.

10 - This echo may not be gated (in or out) to any other FTN-style network,
    or the internet, without prior permission of the moderator. Authorized
    gates will be published in the ELIST*.* listing for this echo.

Input about moderation or these guidelines are welcome via netmail.
(Arguing about them not welcome in the echo... again, please use netmail.)

Thanks for using the FIDO_UTIL echo!

--Sean Dennis,
 FIDO_UTIL moderator

--- NetMgr/2 1.0y+
* Origin: Outpost BBS - 1.618.549.1859 - outpostbbs.us (1:11/200)