The (insert uni University University Computing Services logo) of Newcastle USE OF UNIVERSITY COMPUTING FACILITIES Set out below are the rules governing use of University computing facilities. These rules apply to all users (students, staff and others) and both to central and departmental computers. 1. General Computing facilities are provided by the University for the use of staff and students. Access may be given to stand-alone microcomputers, stand-alone minicomputers, or to computers on the University's local area network. Student access is primarily for use in association with a course of study and activities related to that course. Staff are given access for use as part of their duties. Arrangements for computer use for external work such as consulting must be negotiated and will usually be on a 'payment for use' basis. It is expected that all users will make use of University computers in a manner which is ethical, legal and not to the detriment of others. The basic guidelines are that any use must be legal and not such as to interfere with the use by others. Failure to abide by the following rules will be treated as misconduct and may result in disciplinary action including denial of access to computing facilities. In particular, if, in the opinion of the Director, University Computing Services, you have failed to abide by these rules, you may be denied access to the University's local area network. (my note: this university treats misconduct VERY seriously, expulsion is one of the options) 2 Disclaimer The University makes available to users, both internal and external, computing facilities consisting of hardware and software. The University accepts no responsibility for any damage to or loss of data arising directly or indirectly from the use of these facilities or for any consequential loss or damage. The University makes no warranty, express or implied regarding the computing services offered, or their fitness for any particular purpose. The University's liability in the event of any loss or damage shall be limited to the fees and charges paid to the University for the use of the computing facilities which resulted in the loss or damage. 3. Regulations 1 You may only use those facilities which have been authorised for your use. If access is protected by a password, you are not to make this password available to others. You may not use any account set up for another user, nor may you attempt to find out the password of another user. 2 You may only use authorised facilities for authorised purposes. For example, facilities made available for teaching may not be used for private gain. 3 You must be aware of the law of copyright as it affects computer software. Software must not be copied except with the express permission of the copyright owner. 4 You may not attempt to copy information belonging to other users (whether the be staff, students or other users) without their express permission. 5 You may not attempt to interfere with the operation of computing facilities. 6 You may not attempt to subvert the security of any of the University's computing facilities. 7 You may not use the University's computing facilities to send obscene, offensive or harassing messages. ---------- Attached to this is another page outlining copyright law as it applies in Australia, which is beyond the scope of this discussion. It should be noted, that on UCS machines, the default for standard users, is that all their files are protected. In this case, I read "express permission" as the user changes the protection such that another has some form of access. The other thing that I find nice about these regulations is that they are easy to read and interpret. They are also deliberately vague. This gives a little scope for individual cases. There is also, currently being drawn up, a set of regulations for departments and other users wishing to connect to the campus ethernet. DISCLAIMER I did not write these regulations, I just live by, and enforce them. It just happens that I see them as a pretty good guideline for computer usage on this campus. munnari!numm.nu.oz.au!alan@uunet.UU.NET (Alan Hargreaves)