I got into a somewhat acrimonious discussion with one of our subscribers over the content of a post I rejected...and DEOS-l didn't have a written policy to justify my actions...so i wrote one. (Zane Berge and i wrote an editorial policy for IPCT-L that has saved us countless hours of hassle over the past three years...I like written policies) This is the policy regarding "Advertising" on DEOS-L...I use the CREN guidelines as they justified nicely (appeal to higher authority) what we wanted for DEOS-L...(and we have been 'spoken to' in the past because we were not as rigorous as we perhaps could have been in enforcing them.) /mauri collins, deos-l moderator, ipct-l owner ********************************* The Pennsylvania State University is a user of BITnet, a network managed by the Corporation for Research and Education Networking, (CREN). CREN has an written policy which sets out acceptable use of their networks (see the CREN Acceptable Use policy in the file CREN NET_USE, available from [log in to unmask]) We are required, as a participating site, to uphold the CREN standards, and ensure our users also comply. (see CREN Terms of Membership and Affiliation, CREN TERMS from LISTSERV@BITNIC). DEOS-L uses a BITnet address (DEOS-L@psuvm), as does our listserv (LISTSERV@PSUVM) and many of our subscribers receive their mail at BITnet addresses. CREN expressly forbids the use of its networks for "commercial purposes, such as marketing. . ." and "Advertising is forbidden". However, it is the desire of the American Center for the Study of Distance Education (the sponsor of DEOS-L) to inform the readers of DEOS-L of new products and services that pertain to the subject matter of this list (Teaching and Learning at a Distance). In order to meet both objectives, we have formulated the following DEOS-L policy to ensure our compliance with CREN Acceptable Use Guidelines. Policy re: Announcments Staff persons of the American Center for the Study of Distance Education (the sponsor of DEOS-L) will review for posting ANNOUNCEMENTS of new products (books, videotapes, software, etc.) and services (conferences, workshops etc.) These ANNOUNCEMENTS shall not contain any reference to cost, nor contain order forms nor registration forms. They may contain the name and contact information of a person or organization from whom such order or registration forms can be obtained. Contact information may be postal addresses, electronic mail addresses, telephone numbers etc. If a product or a service is being provided free of charge, that may be so stated in the ANNOUNCEMENT. The content or subject matter of all products and services must pertain to teaching and learning at a distance. The use of technologies commonly used in distance education to convey content unrelated to teaching and learning at a distance (e.g. workshops on child care methods or general accounting procedures or conferences that do not have a Distance Education theme or track) is not sufficient to qualify an ANNOUNCEMENT for posting to DEOS-L. Posts will be returned to senders for re-formulation or for distribution to other lists if they fail to meet the above guidelines. Final determination of suitability for posting shall rest with the Directors of the American Center for the Study of Distance Education. September 10, 1994 mauri collins, Moderator, DEOS-L ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ms mauri p. collins ma /\\//\ Calder Square Box 10002 Internet: [log in to unmask] > () < State College BITnet: mmc7@psuvm \/()\/ PA 16805, USA Program Assistant, American Center for the Study of Distance Education Co-editor, Computer-Mediated Communication and the Online Classroom Managing Editor & Reviewer, [log in to unmask] Senior Consultant, Berge Collins Associates