BITNET Network Information Center ____________________________________________________________ EDUCOM PO Box 364, Princeton NJ 08540 609-520-3377 BITNET USAGE GUIDELINES The BITNET Usage Guidelines have been established by the BITNET Board of Trustees to remind users of the intended purpose of BITNET, Inc., and to offer some solutions to avoid abuse. While BITNET has proven an extremely useful network for scholarly research and communication, it is not and should not be considered a secure network, and should not be relied on for transmission of confidential or sensitive data. o All use of BITNET must be consistent with its goal to facilitate the exchange of non-commercial information in support of the educational and research interests of Class A and B members. o All transmissions from Class D and E members to Class D and E members are prohibited except to the extent they relate to conference or committee activity sponsored by a Class A, B, or C member. o Large files sent over BITNET may cause traffic problems. A large file will reach its destination, but will do so at the expense of many other users. Therefore, file transmissions are limited to 300,000 bytes (3,750 eighty-character records) regardless of the time of day. Files exceeding this limit may be divided into a number of smaller files of 300,000 bytes or less, and transmit- ted at appropriate intervals. o Since interactive messages take precedence over all other transmissions, extensive use of messaging can block the flow of BITNET traffic. Therefore, applica- tions which make extensive use of interactive messaging capability, such as BITNET-based PVM software, are re- stricted to research use for designated computer center staff. o Proprietary software may not be sent over BITNET. o Random mailings (junk mail), casual contacts ("Who are you?" messages), and job solicitations are discouraged. Guidelines may change as the need arises. All members of the BITNET community are responsible for seeing that these constraints and courtesies are upheld. Abuses should be reported to local user services. BITNET Network Information Center ____________________________________________________________ EDUCOM PO Box 364, Princeton NJ 08540 609-520-3377