STM Mailing Lists Participation Rules

Breach of these rules will result in action from our List Administrators, and may result in anything from a formal warning through permanent expulsion from the List.

• Complaints about STM operations and related business are not appropriate for posting on all mailing lists.
• Advertising of any kind is forbidden, except as noted.
• "Virus warnings" and other public service announcements require explicit prior approval by a List Administrator.
• STM lists cannot be used to attack a company or individual.
• Spamming or sending offensive material to other list subscribers is grounds for removal.
• The STM lists cannot be used for illegal purposes.
• Anyone purposely abusing the lists can be removed at any time without recourse.
• Using the Lists implies consent to the usage rules. In addition, it is a privilege that may be revoked for failure to comply.

Explanations:

Complaints – Using the Lists to publicize complaints about STM operations or procedures is not appropriate. This specifically includes censure of a pending School Board policy, action or program or denigrating the reasoning behind actions taken. Complaints should be directed to the responsible party in a constructive manner.

Advertising – Generally, we do not allow any kind of advertising messages on our mailing lists, except with prior approval of the List Administrator. Specifically, we do not allow blatant sales hype and pitches including any private or commercial postings of this nature. If you aren't absolutely sure, ask for permission first. Postings that are self-referential advertisements, soliciting members for site contributions, and promotions or misrepresentations of the posting member's affiliation with the service or product mentioned are included in this definition and will be removed by the Administrator.

Public Service Announcements -- Please do not post public service announcements to any of the STM lists. Public service announcements include notices about virus alerts, software bugs, worms, new releases of software, seminar/conference notices, or anything that is not specifically included in the list charter.

If you are unsure if your post falls into this category, please seek approval from the List Administrator assigned to the pertinent list prior to posting.

Do not discuss virus/antivirus topics on any of the STM lists. There are numerous other sources available on the Internet to get this type of information. If you are concerned about a potential virus threat, please contact the List Administrator for the appropriate list and they will attempt to verify the message content. If warranted and only in rare cases, the List Administrator will make a public announcement to the lists.

Some sources of reliable information about viruses:

CIAC - http://ciac.llnl.gov/

CERT - http://www.cert.org/

FIRST - http://www.first.org/

Check these pages for general information about hoaxes perpetrated on the Internet:

http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACHoaxes.html

http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACChainLetters.html

If you see a post on any list about viruses, do not reply to the list unless providing pertinent educational content. Send all admonishments, flames, and other related replies via private e-mail to the author.

Personal Attacks & Harassment -- Use of the lists to harass, slander or otherwise attack a Company or individual is not allowed. STM does not want to be involved in any litigation due to libel and slander suits and Lists will not be used to air problems of this nature. This rule includes instances where the content of the post is such that the individual or company under discussion may be harmed in their ability to continue to survive as a business entity or where their ability to conduct business is put in jeopardy because of accusations of illegal or unethical activity. If you must ask the readers of the appropriate mailing list for advice, you may not mention company names or list URLs. Describe the situation only.

Spam & Offensive Material -- Users may not use addresses obtained from STM Lists or Web pages to harass others or send them offensive, abusive or unsolicited material. If you believe you have received such a message, please forward it to the List Administrator---with full headers---for investigation. In addition, STM does not condone or permit the posting of "chain letter" emails including any type of pyramid scheme, multi-level marketing, or the "pass this on to everyone" emails.

Illegal Purposes -- STM Lists may not be used to post illegal material or conduct illicit business of any kind. STM resides in the state of North Carolina, and all laws applicable to the State will be applied including, but is not confined to, copyright violations, music file swapping, trading of commercial fonts and software, or discussion of ways to avoid password protection and registration codes.

Abuse of the Lists -- Our lists are privately maintained by STM. Any individual intentionally or maliciously causing harm to the equipment, software, or processes operating the STM services, or to individuals using the STM services, shall be in violation of this rule and will be permanently removed from access.

Use Implies Consent – Use of the Lists are a privilege granted to our members as a way to improve communications. As such, users agree to abide by the Lists rules and may have their use privileges revoked for failure to comply with the current rules.