Hi, All, Rootsweb, as you may already know, has been going through some major changes. I thought it might be well to post their *Common-Sense Acceptable Use Policy* for all our list subscribers. This Policy isn't anything new. Rootsweb has always adhered to these *Rules* (if they can be called by that name). Please read the below, and keep a copy for your own records. Thank you, Faith Hutchings Your List Hostess faith@verdenet.com ROOTSWEB'S COMMON-SENSE ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY > > by Dr. Brian Leverich <leverich@rootsweb.com> > >RootsWeb exists to allow you to interact with other people who >share your interests. We also often preserve those interactions, >so you can readily see and learn from discussions that have >occurred in the past. > >To be able to provide you with the best possible environment, we >ask you to agree to the following before using our facilities: > > (1) HAVE FUN. Well, we can't *require* you to have fun, but we >really think you should. > > (2) YOU OWN YOUR POSTS. When you post messages to lists, message >boards, and other facilities at RootsWeb, those posts remain your >property under copyright law. > > (3) ROOTSWEB MAY ARCHIVE AND REDISTRIBUTE. So we can provide >current and future users with access to your posts, by posting >here you do give RootsWeb a permanent license to archive and >redistribute those posts. This policy may be superseded in >specific circumstances by other commitments made by RootsWeb. > > (4) POST ONLY MATERIAL YOU *DO* OWN. When you post to RootsWeb, >you must either be the copyright holder (that basically means you >wrote it), have written permission from the copyright holder, or >the material must clearly be in the public domain. > > (5) YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR POSTS. If you post anything >that results in RootsWeb being sued, you are responsible for any >costs you incur. We may also hold you responsible for any costs >we incur defending ourselves. > > (6) YOU SHOULD NOT DECREASE THE ENJOYMENT OF OTHERS. Your posts >should not flame or otherwise harass other users and should be >reasonably on topic for the areas where they appear, and you >should otherwise adhere to the principles of netiquette. > > (7) OTHER POLICIES MAY APPLY AND ALL POLICIES MAY CHANGE. In >addition to this general acceptable use policy, other specific >policies may apply to Web sites, mailing lists, message boards, >and other facilities at RootsWeb. These policies may change with >time, but current versions will be publicly accessible on >RootsWeb's site. > > (8) ROOTSWEB HAS LIMITED RESPONSIBILITIES. Hard disks fail and >other catastrophes occur. While RootsWeb strives to provide the >most reliable possible service, we are not liable for service >interruptions and loss of data. In *no* case, technical failure >or otherwise, will RootsWeb be liable for damages exceeding any >payments you make to us. > > (9) COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES REQUIRE PERMISSION. RootsWeb's intent >is to provide a friendly and, as much as possible, noncommercial >environment. Any activity that involves the exchange of money >requires prior permission from RootsWeb. > >(10) ROOTSWEB RESOURCES MAY NOT BE RESOLD. No RootsWeb facilities >-- for example, Web sites, mailing lists, and message boards -- >may be resold. Public domain content on RootsWeb may not be >harvested for commercial or other use, other than as would have >been permitted by the Fair Use provisions of American copyright >law if the material had been copyrighted. Material written and >posted by an individual may not be harvested for commercial or >other use, except with the permission of that individual or as >permitted by Fair Use. > >(11) ROOTSWEB MAY REFUSE SERVICE. For violations of this >agreement or other policies posted on the RootsWeb site, RootsWeb >may revoke the violator's right to use part or all of the >RootsWeb site. > >(12) MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE. Upon request, RootsWeb will terminate >any services we are providing to you, and refund your last >annual contribution. > > * * * * * >