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Version 1.1 - BBS LEGAL GUIDE
Including legal forms, statutes and "how to do it" information
Copyright 1993, Clary and Kraft
March, 1993
All Rights Reserved
Will I get in trouble for having x-rated gifs available for
download?
Can I be sued for libel if someone goes nuts in the flame room?
Can I deduct losses I sustain running my BBS?
If someone posts a commercial program on my BBS will the FBI
confiscate my equipment?
Questions, questions, questions. But there isn't a place to go
for up to date legal information, instead of rumors. Until now.
The BBS LEGAL GUIDE is prepared by working sysops and attorneys,
and since it's on disk, is always updated.
This program includes nuts and bolts answers to your questions
about BBSing and the law, has totally menu driven legal forms,
and sign up sheets, to protect the sysop from the big bad wolf!
<grin>. This program is valuable for both large pay BBS systems
and not for profit single line systems. Persons who will benefit
from this program include:
BBS systems operators
Corporations/Government agencies operating BBS systems
BBS software developers, SI's and VAR's
Software houses selling BBS and BBS related software
Not for profit clubs & organizations operating BBS systems
BBS message networks
The BBS legal guide also contains all 50 states computer crime
and BBS specific laws, annotated and explained.
Another amazing feature-- BBS screens and bulletins that you can
use to define the rules of your system and protect your legal
rights as a sysop.
Thought we were done with the features? Not yet. For corporate
BBS's, specific forms for your personnel manual defining proper
computer use. For large BBS systems, complete manuals for co-
sysops and employees. All of the corporate policies/operation
manuals are designed to protect the system's proprietor.
The basic package is an important tool for the sysop. But, even
more value is provided by monthly updates providing timely
information, more legal data, forms and screens. These updates
will be driven by the requests of our users. However, planned
updates include:
the complete annotated copyright code;
all state laws regarding "obscenity" with full annotations
Now the answers-- The good news is that an investment in time
will protect you and your system. Yes, you can deduct losses
sustained running a BBS-- if you know the ropes. Yes, you can
carry adult gifs. And you can have folks flame away at each other
if they want to without trouble. There is a way to handle
inadvertent postings of commercial software. On the other hand
some sysops have been caught unprepared, suffered huffing and
puffing and had their house fall in.
This program contains full annotated text of statutes and
regulations, nuts and bolts answers to your questions, BBS
screens and menu driven legal forms and more.
There are three levels of registration available for this
program.
DELUXE REGISTRATION:
Deluxe registration is $ 129.00. Deluxe registration provides:
1. A printed manual.
2. Disks with the latest versions of the software- and the disk
is "branded" with your name and license number.
3. Each month updates are created. These updates contain some or
all of the following:
a) New forms;
b) Although we can't give individual legal advice, answers to
questions posed by our registered users;
c) New annotated legal text;
d) New BBS screens and bulletins;
and are mailed first class mail.
Upgrades to the program and new manuals are mailed upon their
release.
After 12 months, to continue your subscription, an additional $
75 fee is required. So long as your subscription remains current
you will receive any upgrades and updates via first class mail.
4. Support via voice (answered 24 hours daily), BBS and other on-
line services.
Thus, deluxe registrants receive a continuing update subscription
as well as upgrades, support and manuals via mail as soon as
delivered.
This registration fee is less than even one hour of an attorney's
time-- an investment well worth the cost.
REGULAR REGISTRATION
Regular registration is $ 69.
Regular registration provides:
1. A printed manual.
2. Program disks of the latest version with the registered users
name "branded" on the disk.
3. A subscription to updates and upgrades for 12 months. However,
these updates are posted on our support BBS systems in a
scrambled from. The user is provided with the descrambling keys
for 12 months following their registrations. Upgrades to the
program may be used, provided that the registered user downloads
the updates from our support BBS.
4. Support via voice and BBS, together with many on-line
services.
5. After 12 months, to continue to receive updates and upgrades,
a subscription fee of $ 35 is due. Updates and upgrades must be
downloaded.
BASIC REGISTRATION
Many sysops are on a budget. "Basic" registration requires less
work on our part, and the registration fee is cut accordingly.
Basic registration is $ 35. Basic registration provides:
1. An "unlock" key which removes all shareware reminders and
brands the users name and license number on the program. However,
you must call our support BBS to download your registration key
file and descramble program.
2. Monthly updates which are posted on our support BBS systems in
scrambled form. When you download your "unlock key" the
unscramble program is also provided.
3. Support via BBS only.
4. After 12 months, a continuing subscription to updates is
available for $ 20.00. The user must call our support BBS to
download the necessary unscrambling information.
5. All upgrades to the program may be used so long as your
subscription to updates is maintained, although you'll have to
download those.
CHOOSE YOUR BUDGET, but register!
Registration is REQUIRED if you use the BBS screens or forms on
your BBS.
Note: We have arrangements with several BBS systems for posting
our updates/upgrades. Complete information on the access numbers
is provided to our registered users. If your multi-line system is
interested in being a distribution site, please contact us.
We feel that any of three levels registrations are great values.
If a sysop can even find an attorney who understands what a BBS
is, substantial fees would be required for even simple services.
At $ 150 to $ 295 per hour for most legal services, our
registration fee is a bargain, and a necessary investment for the
security of your system.
If you are unfamiliar with the shareware concept of distribution
of software, please read "share.txt." The developers of this
program have well known commercial programs as well as shareware.
Since BBS systems are one of the primary modes of distribution of
shareware, and that's the target market of this program, we have
chosen shareware as the distribution method for this software.
The document generator prepares a form which you should use to
make your order. Credit cards, checks and money orders are
accepted. (Credit card orders, please contact ATTENTION TO
DETAILS BBS, at 1-909-681-6221 and you may order by credit card
on line.)
HOW TO REACH US:
Our primary support BBS is Webb Blackmon's BLUE RIDGE EXPRESS
(B.R.E.) This 36 line super system (and growing) is one of the
best in the nation! We check in with the BRE daily.
After calling the BRE you should enter J FRINGE to access our
sub-board.
2400 baud 1-804-790-1675
9600 baud 1-804-790-9600 V32/bis
9600 baud 1-804-790-1126 V42/bis
Our West Coast Support BBS is ATTENTION TO DETAILS--
located in the greater LA megalopolis
9600 baud v32 1-909-681-6221
Genial sysop Clint Bradford awaits your call. You may order the
BBS LEGAL GUIDE with your MasterCard or VISA through ATTENTION TO
DETAILS, who is an authorized dealer for the BBS LEGAL GUIDE
Message traffic can also reach us via EXEC-PC, directed to "Herb
Kraft" of Tallahassee, Florida. EXEC PC is the largest micro-
computer BBS in the world, and, is a personal favorite of the
developers of this program.
2400 baud 1-414-789-4210
9600 baud 1-414-789-4360 V32/bis
US Robotics HST 9600 MNP5 1-414-789-4337
US Robotics HST 14400 1-414-789-4352
CompuCom Speedmodem 9600 MNP5 modems 1-414-789-4450
Hayes 9600B V-series, 9600bps only(non-V.32) 1-414-789-4315
Users of GENIE may reach us through GENIE mail by addressing
messages to H.KRAFT1. If you are a user of GENIE you may post
mail during non-peak times for no additional fee than your basic
GENIE monthly subscription.
We operate a BBS system, 9600 V32, at 904-656-2263. Please note
that we are planning a move and this number may change. Please
check with the BRE, ATTENTION TO DETAILS or EXEC if you do not
get through on our BBS number.
Other multi-line BBS systems will be designated as support
systems, and registered users will be advised of the additional
support BBS systems.
We check all of these services daily, and will be pleased to
respond to all mail and suggestions. We will provide reasonable
"support" to potential registered users through the BBS's
mentioned.
Our 24 hour voice number is provided to registered users.
Mail:
R FRINGE SOFTWARE FULFILLMENT
1350 Mahan Drive, Box 315
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
Via fax: 904-656-6495
Checking in with any questions via BBS is the fastest way to get
an answer.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE PROGRAM
You are encouraged to pass a copy of this program or to upload it
to your favorite BBS or to user groups or friends for evaluation.
Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that
they can use it. All registered users will receive the benefits
stated above.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS DISK OR TO UPLOAD THESE FILES. IN
EITHER CASE YOU MUST SHARE ALL OF THE FILES. PLEASE NOTE OUR
REQUEST THAT YOU DO NOT RENAME THIS ARCHIVE.
INTRODUCTION
A. PLEASE READ ALL FILES WITH EXTENSIONS OF ".TXT" that came with
your program ME FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION FOR IMPORTANT
INFORMATION AND ANY LAST MINUTE NEWS AND CHANGES. To print out
the manual please use the command:
<pbbslaw>
SPECIAL NOTE: IN THIS MANUAL ITEMS TO BE ENTERED ON THE COMPUTER
ARE ENCLOSED IN ANGLED BRACKETS "< >". Follow the entry with the
ENTER key. Do not type the brackets as they are only placeholders
for text to be entered by you.
B. ORGANIZATION OF MANUALS-- We provide two separate but
complimentary manuals. The first is the "quickstart" manual. If
you are a power user, this very brief manual explains each active
key and function. The second manual (the one that you are now
reading) is a detailed manual, consisting of 7 sections:
1) System Requirements/Installation
2) Use of the program
3) The information needed to generate legal forms
4) Customer Satisfaction- Support
5) About our staff
6) Legalese-- warranties, trademarks, warnings
7) Index
SECTION ONE
INSTALLATION
Section 1-1
INSTALLATION
To install THE BBS LEGAL GUIDE, (we'll call it BBS LAW for short)
First back up your installation disks by using the MS DOS command
DISKCOPY. For more information about DISKCOPY, consult your
computer's manual. Place the master disks that you received in a
safe place and use your backup copies.
To use this BBS distribution version, please un-archive the
program to its own subdirectory.
SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS
In order to operate this program, your computer must:
1) have an IBM PC compatible operation a version of M.S. DOS,
D.R. DOS or P.C. DOS of 3.3 or higher or OS/2, PS/2; this program
happily runs under Windows environments/Multi tasking
environments and also runs in "MS DOS EMULATIONS" in Open Desk
Top and other UNIX systems that can run MS DOS programs.
To find out which version of dos you are using, please enter:
<ver>
and you will receive a cheery message such as
MS-DOS VER 3.30
in general this program will operate on XT compatibles, '286
compatibles (AT Class) and '386 compatible systems; 486 systems;
2) have a hard drive (fixed disk);
3) have at least 448 K Bytes of USABLE memory with the first
640KB; many computer users have machines that are installed with
512K, 640K or more but install many Terminate and stay
resident (TSR or "memory resident" programs) which each use
memory, dropping available for usable memory to less than 448 K;
if you cannot operate this program dump out of it (the time
honored process pressing Control, Alternate and Delete at once to
"warm" reboot) and at a system prompt type, exactly
<chkdsk>
Your machine should whirl and click and then announce something
like this:
655360 bytes total memory
620000 bytes free
if you have less that 448000 bytes of memory free, then you must
read the manuals for your memory resident software and delete
some of them so that you have at least 448000 free when you run
this program. There are utilities that "manage" terminate and
stay resident program advertised in your favorite computer
magazine. If you would like an operating environment that manages
memory and can make your computer stand on its head allowing
multitasking among many other great things, check out the great
products from Quarterdeck.(tm)
(We apologize to most BBS types who are power users and know all
of this! However, we had to learn how to do all this once too!)
IMPORTANT CAVEAT: Many computer users employ file management
shells like the Norton Commander(tm) or PC TOOLS (versions 6 and
higher) to help them manage their systems. These programs consume
memory when used. Often persons also load several Terminate and
stay resident utilities (T.S.R's) and a file manager. The likely
result is that you will be often reduced to less than 300k free
memory. This will S.. L.. O.. W.. down your system and cause
many programs not to load at all. Running BBSLAW directly from
DOS is simple and recommended!
We get calls now and then about the document generation program
not loading. In EVERY occasion that this occurs it is because you
have less than 448K FREE RAM. Really. Honestly. Let's assume that
you have a computer with 640K RAM. You can still be running with
less than 448K RAM free by loading numerous drivers, TSR's and
shells. Please check what your free memory is if you find that
the document generator will not load and drops you to DOS
following the instructions above. Please note that your system
can be configured with many megabytes of ram, but STILL HAVE LESS
THAN 448K free within the first 640KB! Unless you use memory
management software, you can have 10 megs of RAM, but have less
than 448KB free in the first 640KB.
There is no minimum requirement for graphics adapters or color.
The program will happily run on a text-mono system; and it looks
very great on a VGA system! Due to our design philosophy the
program will run on a system with NO color and no graphics
capability at all.
A printer is recommended so that you can fully use BBS LAW (You
cannot print out legal documents without access to a
printer.)
SECTION 2
USE OF THE PROGRAM
STEP ONE (LOGICALLY) STARTING THE PROGRAM
Section 2-1 QUICK START MANUAL
A separate file on this disk contains a "quick start manual" for
experienced applications users which gives all of the active keys
for each program. A detailed manual follows.
Section 2-2 START UP AND MAIN MENU
In order to start the program, be sure that you have either have
the computer in the legal subdirectory or that the program is on
the current path. Now type:
<BBSLAW>
(or <bbslaw> or <bbSLAW> in MS-DOS, they are the same to the
computer.) and press the Return
<Return>
key. The main menu offers a help screen.
Section 2-3
MOUSE USERS
Your mouse driver must be loaded before attempting to use a mouse
on the program. For more information on loading your mouse
driver, please see the manual which came with your rodent. To
begin using the program, type
<Mbbslaw>
then <Return>. Clicking the left button sends a carriage return,
the right button page down, both buttons, sends Escape. Moving
the rodent up and down advances the cursor up and down. NOTE: We
do not have a separate mouse cursor. The mouse is emulating the
cursor keys.
Section 2-4
SELECTING FROM THE OPTIONS PROVIDED
To select your choice, either use the cursor keys (up and down
arrows) to highlight the choice you want, or, enter the letter
corresponding to your choice, and then press
<Return>.
We will explain the operation of the statutes, and tutorials
(mini-seminars), document preparation and editing documents
separately.
Section 2-5
THE SHELL GAME- OUR DOS "SHELL"
Choice "S"- DOS Shell-- Our DOS "shell" is a utility program
which allows you to perform tasks, while retaining the HOME LEGAL
GUIDE in memory. For example, if you want to format a floppy
disk, but do not want to exit the program, then choose the DOS
Shell option, by either highlighting this option using the cursor
keys (up and down arrows) or pressing
<S>
then press <RETURN>. You will then see a message indicating that
your operating system has been loaded. For example,
Microsoft (R) MS-DOS (R) Version 3.30
(C) Copyright Microsoft Corp. 1981-1986
you may then operate DOS commands. At all times, the Home Legal
Guide remains in memory. To resume use of the program, type
<EXIT> and then <Return> or <Enter> (On some machines the key is
marked return, on others enter, and some have a left descending
arrow.) This will return you to the opening screen.
Section 2-6
The Navigator
At the bottom of each screen the active keys are listed, and what
each key does. This "navigator" strip is your first resource for
help in getting around the program.
Section 2-7
STATUTES MENU
BBS LAW contains the full text, with attorney's explanations of
many important laws and governmental regulations. To choose this
option from the main menu, press
<B>
and then <ENTER> (Return), or highlight this option by using the
cursor keys- up and down arrows. Once you are reading the full
text, you will occasionally see blocks of text marked with "/*"
and closed with "*/." These are distinguishing placeholders to
show comments as opposed to the full text of the law or
regulation. Copyright stuff: We do not claim copyright on
government material contained in the statutes menu. However we do
claim copyright on all the rest of the program and on the
comments within the statutes.
Section 2-8 BROWSING THROUGH THE STATUTES
You may read the statutes by pressing the page up, page down,
cursor keys for up and down (up and down arrows.) The left and
right cursor keys are special. The left arrow key returns you to
the previous comment; the right arrow searches for the next
comment.
If you press the left arrow key and the text does not change,
this means that you are seeing the first comment; if you press
the right arrow key and the text does not change you are then
viewing the last comment in the file.
Section 2-9 LET'S TAKE NOTES
USE OF THE "NOTE PAD"- JOT NOTES WHILE LEARNING ABOUT THE LAW
If you want to take a note while reading the tutorial, put our
memory resident note pad to work. From any point once you are
reading the text of the tutorial type
<F2> (Function key 2)
and then a note pad will open on the bottom of the screen. This
is a nice feature so that you won't lose your place or have to go
get a pad and paper if you find something interesting that you
might want to take notes about. Since it is for jotting notes, we
have made it very simple to use. Simply type in your note, using
the backspace key to erase characters.
NOTE PAD HELP
To get help regarding the note pad utility, simply press
<F1>, (function key one)
while the note pad is open. The help screen contains a full
explanation of the note pad's use.
PRINTING OUT YOUR NOTES
To print out our notes, make sure that your printer is ready,
power on, properly connected, with paper and ribbons, and then
press
<F3> (Function key 3)
ERASING AND SAVING NOTES
<F10> (Function key 10)
erases everything on the note pad. You cannot recover notes once
erased by using F10. To "toggle" back and forth between the note
pad and the text of the tutorial, press
<F2> (Function key 2)
Your notes are saved automatically every time that you toggle
back and forth between the note pad and the tutorial's main text.
Section 2-10 SPECIAL STATUTE- DEFINITIONS
This program contains a special "statute"- the on line legal
phrase dictionary. Select this option to look up unfamiliar legal
terms. Please let us know if you find other words we should
define.
Section 2- 11 EXITING THE STATUTES
To leave a statute, you may press
Escape <ESC>
which will return you to the statutes menu. To return to the main
menu, press
<M>
To exit the program completely, press
<X>
which will send you back to DOS and quit the program.
Section 2-12 TUTORIAL (MINI-SEMINAR) MENU
WHAT IS A TUTORIAL/ MINI-SEMINAR?
The HOME LEGAL GUIDE mini-seminars called "tutorials" about the
subjects that our research and your requests show are of the most
interest to our users. To select this option, either highlight
option C from the main menu, or, enter the letter
<C>
Then press <ENTER> (Return.)
These "tutorials" or "mini-seminars" are a discussion of the
rights and obligations that the law provides for each tutorial
area. LET US KNOW ABOUT OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST AND WE'LL PREPARE
SOMETHING ON THAT AREA IN THE FUTURE. You're the boss.
Section 2-13 SELECTING A TUTORIAL/MINI-SEMINAR
Once you have determined which tutorial you might want to read or
review, please highlight it by using the cursor keys (up and down
arrows). Then press <Return>. You will then be able to see the
text of a tutorial.
You can read through the tutorial by using the cursor keys, page
down, page up or the home or end keys. (Note that our clever
programming methods- Good job Warren-- make going from one end to
another virtually instantaneous.)
Section 2-14 TAKING NOTES
You may take notes as discussed in Section 2-9.
Section 2-15 READING FULL TEXT OF LAWS OR REGULATIONS DISCUSSED-
OPENING A SECOND WINDOW
Let's get back to the tutorial. If you would like to read and
review the full text of the laws discussed in a tutorial or
mini-seminar, you can review this simultaneously with the
tutorial by opening a second "window." To do so, press the letter
<S>
and you will be able to select to view the on line dictionary or
view a help screen for tutorials. In addition, many tutorials
also have further explanatory material.
To select which option you desire, use the cursor keys (up and
down arrow) to highlight the item you want to view. Then press
return. The selected item (the on line dictionary, help or other
materials) will then appear on the screen; to toggle back and
forth between the mini-seminar and the selected full annotated
text, press
<O>
You can still open a note pad if you have both the mini-
seminar and the full text selected. Many mini-seminars have more
than one full text selection. If you want to review a different
full annotated text from that originally selected, return to the
tutorial, and press
<S>
which will reopen the full annotated text menu. Select the new
full text by using the cursor (up and down arrow keys).
Section 2-16 DEFINITIONS OF LEGAL TERMS
If legal terms are used in the mini-seminar, they are also
defined in the on line legal dictionary. Simply press
<S>
and select this option for the on line legal phrase book- our
mini legal dictionary. Press
<O>
to toggle back and forth between the dictionary and the text. To
select help or full text, return to the tutorial text, press
<S>
and select the other full text.
Section 2-17 EXITING THE TUTORIAL
To stop reading, press Escape
(ESC)
to return to the tutorial menu,
<M>
to return to the main menu, or
<X>
to exit (quit) the program and to return to DOS. That was
easy-wasn't it!
Section 2-18 DRAFTING DOCUMENTS
THE DOCUMENT GENERATOR
We are very proud of our document generation program and hope
that you will be as well. Through the use of this part of the
program you will be able to draft custom legal papers that are
legal and binding in all 50 states. These forms will accomplish
their objectives of course, if you use a form that isn't right,
or doesn't completely accomplish your goal, you'll have a legal
and valid form that accomplishes something other than you
desired.
READ CAREFULLY