Acceptable Use Policy
Revised October 7, 2006.
The Acceptable Use Policy provides a general standard for
what is appropriate behavior while using the StarChat IRC
Network; our available services and administrative
organization; and our complaint procedure.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Terms of Use
III. Available Services
IV. Administrative Organization
V. Complaint Procedure
VI. Summary
I.
Introduction
StarChat began in June 1997 as an alternative Internet
Relay Chat (IRC) network that offered a smaller, friendlier
chat environment with a professional and courteous staff.
StarChat strictly prohibits the illegal trade of software and
pornographic files on the network, and reserves the right to
scan all connecting clients for open SOCKS and/or Wingates.
Users that violate this StarChat Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
will be removed on a temporary or permanent basis depending on
the nature of the offense.
II. Terms of Use
StarChat is a private, moderated network, in that we
reserve all rights to deny access to this server to any user,
host or domain without warning or explanation. StarChat
provides all network services free of charge. There are no
fees required to use any server linked to StarChat, or to
register nicknames and/or channels. In return for the
provision of free network access and services, we expect user
to comply with the terms listed in this AUP. If you are not in
agreement with our policies, disconnect from any and all
StarChat servers now.
All clients connecting to StarChat will not use the network
to engage in illegal activities, including the transfer of
illegal software and/or child pornography and/or harassment of
other users. StarChat does not tolerate any channel names or
channel topics containing offensive words in any language, or
a channel that encourages or supports harassment. Channels
that come to the attention of StarChat's staff through
complaints, and on investigation are found not to comply with
the AUP, will be either closed or set +s (secret), until they
are in full compliance with this policy. Advertising, cloning
by multiple client connects, flooding by repeated send of text
or CTCP commands, use of profanity or harassment of other
clients are grounds for immediate and permanent removal from
the network.
StarChat cooperates fully with local, state and federal
authorities with investigations of Internet abuse and fraud.
StarChat takes no responsibility and explicitly disclaims all
liability for the content of any text or materials which pass
through this network, or the results of running any commands
while using these services.
III. Available
Services
StarChat provides nickname registration services via
NickServ. Clients can register their nickname(s) to prevent
others from using that nickname, to register channels and
receive memos. StarChat limits nickname registrations to five
(5) nicknames per email address. Nicknames that are abusive by
profanity or used to harass will be deleted and made
unregisterable. After 30 days of non-usage, nicknames are
dropped from the registration database. StarChat IRC Operators
will never ask you for your nickname pass. Should you disclose
your nickname pass to anyone, StarChat is not responsible for
recovering that nickname.
StarChat provides channel registration services via
ChanServ. Clients can register their channel(s) on the network
after they have registered a nickname. Channels on StarChat do
not have channel passwords but rely on the nickname
registration. ChanServ allows for channel operator assignment,
as well as management and security functions. Channels that
are used for illegal activities such as warez and/or porn
distribution or harassment of other clients will be closed
immediately. After 30 days of non-usage, channels are dropped
from the registration database. Should you transfer the
channel to anyone, StarChat is not responsible for recovering
that channel.
StarChat provides memo services via MemoServ. Clients can
send memos to other clients on the network after they have
registered a nickname. MemoServ can email memos to you on
command. Clients that send abusive memos will be placed on
Services ignore and/or be removed from the network on either a
temporary or permanent basis. After 30 days memos are dropped
from the MemoServ database.
StarChat provides nickname and channel registration
services for WebTV clients via WebServ. This allows WebTV
users to interface with NickServ and ChanServ in order to
register nickname(s) and channel(s). The above rules for A.
Nickname Registration and B. Channel Registration apply to all
WebTV clients.
E. IRC Operator Services
StarChat provides voluntary assistance with IRC Operator (IRC
Ops) personnel on an as-available basis. Official StarChat
channel for IRC Op assistance is #StarChat. IRC Ops will
assist clients with nickname and channel registration, answer
questions regarding services, and intervene in the event of
violations of the Acceptable Use Policy. IRC Ops will not
involve themselves in nickname disputes where a pass has been
released to another. IRC Ops will not involve themselves in
channel disputes involving channel ownership or channel
operator hierarchy. In some instances, IRC Ops will provide
technical advice for software or hardware issues. StarChat is
not responsible for this advice and assumes no liability for
damage to hardware or software as a result of using this
technical assistance.
IV.
StarChat's Administrative Organization
A. Network Founder
The Network Founder (NF) represents StarChat's foundation
and provides the network's vision and direction. The NF works
in conjunction with the Network Administrator and StarCouncil
to ensure the founding philosophies are continued. The NF
reserves the right to veto decisions made by StarCouncil if
she deems the action not to be in the best interest of the
network.
B. Network Administrator
The Network Administrator (NA) works in conjunction with
the Network Founder and StarCouncil to maintain the network
and facilitate operations and enforcement of policies. The NA
acts to continue the philosophies as set forth by the Net
Founder with changes that affect the network as a whole, and
to coordinate their implementation. The Network Administrator
acts as a voting member of StarCouncil in the absence of other
voting members in order to achieve a quorum on network issues.
C. StarCouncil
Comprised of five (5) members, StarCouncil (SC) serves to
represent all other Server Administrators and IRC Operators in
network-wide decisions regarding policies and their
implementation. The SC works in consultation with the Network
Administrator regarding new policies and procedures, and
supplements the network's vision and direction. SC decisions
are passed by a majority vote. SC members also have Services
Root Administration (SRA) rights to Services. In the absence
of the Network Administrator, SC members are responsible for
making and implementing network decisions.
D. Services Operators
A Services Operator (SO) is an IRC Operator with additional
rights and responsibilities with StarChat Services. SOs assist
other IRC Operators with the placement of temporary or
permanent Akills to remove violators of the Acceptable Use
Policy from the network. SOs have additional abilities to
reset nickname and channel modes, recover nickname passes and
to intervene in network issues when both the Network
Administrator and members of StarCouncil are not present.
E. Server Administrators
A Server Administrator (SA) is the leader of the individual
server team. SAs are responsible for the supervision and
management of their IRC Operators and the upkeep of the
server's software and configuration to the current StarChat
IRCD. SAs may set at their own discretion Klines restricting
who is permitted access to their server without warning or
explanation. SAs may have up to five (5) IRC Operators as part
of their team inclusive of themselves and/or co-Server
Administrator.
F. IRC Operators
An IRC Operator (IRC Op) provides assistance to clients
with orientation to the network and to answer questions about
Services. IRC Ops also intervene in the event of a violation
of the Acceptable Use Policy. IRC Ops can set Klines at their
discretion to restrict client connection to their team server
without warning or explanation. IRC Ops are under the
supervision of their team Server Administrator.
G. Specialized Teams
The following StarChat teams have been empowered by
StarCouncil to function within the scope of their team
policies and procedures as presented. Team Leaders, as
appointed by StarCouncil, have the authority to make policy
and staffing decisions regarding the team and it's operations.
Complaints about a team, it's policies or it's staff, may be submitted
to StarCouncil for review. StarCouncil reserves the right
to overrule the decisions made by team leaders if it is viewed
not to be in the best interest of the network.
V. Complaint
Procedure
StarChat is committed to facilitating the supervisory
relationship between Server Administrators and their IRC
Operators. Every effort will be made to resolve problems at
that level first. It is preferred that both clients as well as
staff members follow the chain of command prior to involving
StarCouncil in a dispute. Any client or staff member may
submit a complaint regarding the actions of a StarChat team
member by email
to StarCouncil. Required will be all supporting
documentation of the offense, including but not limited to
time-stamped logs. Complaints submitted without supporting
evidence will be declined. StarCouncil reserves the right as
final mediator in issues unresolved on a lower level.
VI. Summary
This document serves as a guideline for acceptable use
expectations and policies for the StarChat network. It is by
no means inclusive of all details and subject to change and/or
modification at any time by the members of StarCouncil.
Questions about this Acceptable Use Policy may be submitted
via email
to StarCouncil.
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