FamilyNet International
The G Rated BBS Network
Revised 11/19/96 FAMILYNET INTERNATIONAL
FAMILYNET is a private association of NETMAIL compatible nodes.
Members of FAMILYNET have no rights per se, every BENEFIT available to FAMILYNET Nodes is conditional, and revokable at any time with no
advanced notice, and without cause by any level of management in FAMILYNET. Membership in FAMILYNET is a privilege, revokable at any
time without cause by the management of FAMILYNET.
Having said the above - let me add: FAMILYNET is a means to alternatives. We were founded to offer sysops a choice. If you have problems with one manager, you are able to contact any other manager that will have you. This gives the managers a free hand, and allows people to peacefully coexist. All levels of FAMILYNET managers should subscribe to the theory - if one node is having problems, they should do whatever they need to do to help solve the problem for EVERYONE.
Requirements for Membership
1) Netmail Compatible mailer - All members must have a "mailer" that is capable of communicating with other mailers in FAMILYNET. 2) G Rated System - All systems must be "G" rated. No profanity, obscenity on member systems. Each member should be a 'FAMILY' type/rated system. 3) No illegal activities - credit card numbers, phreaking (illegal long distance) codes, passwords, pirating of software, are some of the illegal activities that are expressly forbidden. This list is not by any means intended to be all inclusive. 4) No threats are permitted to any other node in FAMILYNET, or outside FAMILYNET. Threats include damage to software/systems, law suits, personal harm, etc. Local/National Managers will make the determination as to what constitutes a "threat."
Applying for Membership 1) Obtain a current copy of the FMLYLIST (this is the list of nodes in FAMILYNET). 2) If you are a member or if you join a SIGNET, your SIGNET membership entitles you to all the benefits of membership in FamilyNet. 3) Send a message to the manager that would handle your geographical area, or area of interest (Special Interest Nets).
The message should contain: Name of Your System. Name of System Operator (Your name). Location of System (ie Los Angelas, Ca). Phone number of System (where other nodes can deliver) mail - pvt or unlisted nodes are not permitted). Baud rate of your system Name and version of mailer (or proper flags if known). Allowable flags are listed at bottom of FMLYLIST. Hours that system is available for mail. Type of Modem system is running (For flags). Voice Phone Number - a number where your manager can call you in the case of problems.
Note: Points can be issued a regular node number in the network as long as their 'boss node' phone number is listed under their listing.
If you are having problems with a manager, contact the next manager up the line and request a node number from him/her. If you have at least three nodes, you can request another network, even if a network is existing in the same geographical area. Note: Members may only be members of ONE geographical network if two exist in the same area. Positions * Node - One system (may be a BBS or Point) * Point - A system connected to FAMILYNET that is not public/has no users other than the operator. * Local FAMILYNET (Net) - A group of nodes in a local (geographical) area, or areas of special interests (SIGNETS), Managed by a FAMILYNET Manager (Host). * Regional Manager - Has a REGION in the FMLYLIST. A Region is comprised of a group of NETS. Regions should have at least 50 separate nodes at the minimum. * Zone Manager - Has a group of REGIONS in the FMLYLIST. Can be SIGNET, or Geographical. * International Director - Gives direction to the entire network. Day to day operation rests with the Managers. The director will set policy and have the final say in resolving disputes. Disputes should be settled at the lowest level in the heirarchy. Managers are empowered to resolve any disputes at their level. * Moderator - Runs an echomail conference. A moderator of an echomail conference has complete control of that conference. All FAMILYNET nodes acknowledge the rights of the moderator to take whatever measures necessary to control the integrety of their conference. This includes dictating the guidelines for participating in a conference, and the power to order feeds be cut for a given conference (a conference will include both echomail and groupmail for the purpose of this document). * Echomail Coordinator - This position is responsible for making sure that echomail flows smoothly. This person will also be responsible for creating and maintaining an echomail list for all FAMILYNET Echoes/Groups. The echomail Coordinator will have the final say in where feeds may be made - by permission of the moderators, in the case of disputes/problems. Free flow of echomail dictates that any node can go anywhere to get any feed they like (exception is gated echomail).
Required Conferences The following conferences are required for all FAMILYNET nodes. You are NOT required to get them, but are responsiblible for the content in them. If an announcement is made in these conferences that puts you in policy violation, for example, the fact you are not tied into the conference does not constitute a valid defense for not conforming to the policy! As such it is STRONGLY suggested all nodes tie into these conferences where applicable.
FAMILY_MGRS - All FAMILYNET managers and coordinators should be tied into this echo/conference. This is where policy will be made and discussed. This is also where all problems are discussed. By default, the moderator of this conference will be the International director. Only managers and coordinators may tie into this conference. This conference is restricted.
FAMILY_SYSOP - This is the FAMILYNET sysop's echo. This is where announcements are made, and topics of discussion of interest to all sysops will take place. All FAMILYNET systems SHOULD have a tie in to this conference. Announcements made in this conference will be binding on all nodes. This conference should not need a moderator. Only topics of interest to ALL sysops in FamilyNet should be discussed here. Users may NOT have access to this conference.
ECHOES - This is the place where echoes are searched for, commented on, new echoes are announced, and notice of terminations are made. Any Echo news should be made in the conference. By default, the FamilyNet Echomail Coordinator is the moderator of this conference. This conference is open to users and sysops.
Responsibilities Node * The system operator running a node is responsible for providing correct information to list their node to their manager.
* The node operator is responsible for notifying the manager when any information changes, so the FamilyList can be updated, and when the node will go down for more than a 24 hour period.
* The Node must turn off their echomail and file areas before going down, or make arrangements with their feed to hold mail for a pre- determined period that the node will be down. Note: the mail and file feeder does NOT have to accomodate the node to hold mail and files.
* The Node must poll their immediate manager (this could be a Network Manager, a Regional Manager, or a Zone Manager, depending on how the node is listed in the Familylist) on a weekley basis to pick up routed mail.
* The node must paricipate in any local Network Conferences that are required by the local Network, as well as the required International Conferences and Regional Conferences.
Network Manager * The Network Manager compiles their local network segemnt for inclusion in the FamilyList.
* The Network Manager must make available to his/her nodes the current Fmlylist and/or Fmlydiff files on a weekly basis.
* The Network Manager is responsible for creating a FamilyList segment and delivering it to the appropriate manager (Regional or Zone) for inclusion in the FamilyList in the timeframe required by their manager.
* The Network Manager must additionally meet all the requirements stated for a node.
Regional Manager * The Regional Manager compiles their local network segemnt for inclusion in the FamilyList.
* The Regional Manager must make available to his/her nets the current Fmlylist and/or Fmlydiff files on a weekly basis.
* The Regional Manager is responsible for creating a FamilyList segment and delivering it to the appropriate manager (Zone) for inclusion in the FamilyList in the timeframe required by their manager.
* The Regional Manager must additionally meet all the requirements stated for a node.
Zone Manager * The Zone Manager compiles their local network segemnt for inclusion in the FamilyList.
* The Zone Manager must make available to his/her nets the current Fmlylist and/or Fmlydiff files on a weekly basis.
* The Zone Manager is responsible for creating a FamilyList segment and delivering it to the appropriate manager (Zone 8) for inclusion in the FamilyList
* Zone managers have full control over their own Zones. SIGNETS are fully independent zones and may withdraw from the FamilyList at any time for any reason.
* The Zone Manager must additionally meet all the requirements stated for a node.
International Director * The International Director is responsible for creating and distributing the FamilyList every Friday.
* The International Director must additionally meet all the requirements stated for a node.
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If a manager does not perform any of their defined roles in a reasonable amount of time, that manager can be removed. There are three grounds for removal of a manager:
A) Violation of policy
B) Non-perfomance - a failure to perform the job as described in the job descriptions as stated above.
C) Missing in Action - Failure to respond to netmail, phone calls or messages in the Family_mgrs conference. (Note, any one of these conditions is all that is necessary, all three are NOT necessary.
The following guidelines apply.
1) Any node getting no response from a given manager should post a message in the Family Sysop Conference stating the problem and what was done to resolve the problem (for example, state that you requested a FamilyList entry be updated and received no response from your manager, and the list was not updated). State the time period involved. (This will not be applicable for new member requests - a node requesting membership should go to 2 as their first step).
2) Address a netmail message to the next level manager stating the problem, and what you expect to happen.
3) The next level of manager will send a netmail message to the manager that is not performing stating the problem and requesting a resolution. This message should also be copied publically in the FAMILY_MGRS conference (a required conference for Managers). The non- performing manager should reply to the message in the Manager's conference and stated what was done (for example that he/she did reply, did add to the FamilyList - but file did not go out, or state reason for denying access to node or Net). Additionally, the non- performing manager should be state what he or she will do to rectify the problem. The non-performing manager must respond by the next Friday (minimum of one week is given for the response) after the complaint was filed.
4) If the problem is not resolved, or the non-performing manager does not respond in the Family_mgrs conference, a second netmail message and posting in the Family_mgrs conference will be made. The non- performing manager will again have at least one full week (the next Friday after second notification is made) to respond. as above.
5) If the problem is not resolved (non-performance), or if the non- performing manager does not respond (missing in action), they may, at the discretion of the next manager be replaced.
Replacement of Managers
Replacement of managers is at the sole discretion of the next level of management. It is not automatic. It is recognized there may be extenuating circumstances that may have led to non-performance or MIA status.