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Etiquette and Rules

Organizers of open conferences need to be especially sensitive to objectionable content. After all, participants' comments are available to anyone with access to your Caucus system. The same basic guidelines that apply to free speech using any other medium apply here as well. There are two minimal rules that should be adhered to in all public conferences: no vulgar language and no personal attacks.

There are several ways to handle problems:

    1. Delete any offensive material (items or responses).
    2. Ask the person to apologize for offensive remarks.
    3. Send a private e-mail or speak directly to the participant involved.
    4. Publicly chastise the participants in the conference.
    5. Exclude members from the conference and/or system if necessary.
    6. Contact the CAUCUS MANAGER

Confidentiality is frequently an issue any time people communicate. However, since computer conferencing creates an instant transcript, breaches of confidentiality become markedly simplified: it is relatively simple to print material, copy it to another conference, or publish it in some other fashion. Thus, computer conferencing provides a greater potential for abuse.

It is typically assumed that conference material is intended only for other participants. Reproducing that material for wider distribution would violate that assumption. However, if material in a conference is of a particularly sensitive nature, you might wish to:

    1. Discuss the issue of confidentially with participants
    2. Place a notice in the introduction and/or greeting about the confidentiality policy
    3. Suggest that persons who specifically wish should emphasize confidentiality in their communications

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