{Admins note:  This was originally written by Andrew Burt, founder of nyx}

[Form letter, but don't let that fool you.]  By getting this letter, someone
on the net has written me expressing a grievance about something you posted
to usenet, or a similar complaint.

Typically this means you posted something they considered "rude" or to a
group that has little or nothing to do with your subject matter.

I have sent them a copy of Nyx's free speech policy, which you should also
read (it's in the menus in the info menu, or just read the file
/nyx/info/free.speech).

As it says, I believe users who post things should stand behind their words.
My philosophical reasons for this are that the net (and human relations
in general) are fragile, and need each one of us to tend to them.  When one
person selfishly acts like a twit for no good reason, it acts to tear down
what's good about humanity (and things like the net).  Yet, if you have
equally strong philosophical feelings justifying your actions, then I think
they need to be heard by all concerned.  In other words, stand up for what
you said, or retract it (with apologies and promises of not doing it again).

Hence, Nyx's policy on this sort of behavior is:

	YOU contact each person who has "accused" you of bad behavior
	AND "cc" your discussion to me so I know you have replied
	and what was said.

	The content of said message should be one of:

		1)  Thorough and iron-clad defense of why you believe
		    what you said was correct, appropriate, not
		    rude, etc. etc.; or
		2)  An apology and statement that you won't do it again.

Failure to send email to both me and each user whose message I forward
to you, within one week of next login after it's forwarded, will result
in your Nyx account being unvalidated (reverting to preview mode).  [My
assumption being that you don't care enough to deal with it.]

Of course, if you invoke #2, and DO do it again, you'll lose your account
for being insincere.  Think of it as a "three strikes and you're out" rule.
Also, making frivolous and totally irrational justifications will count as
neither #1 or #2, and result in account termination.  That is, if you're
going to argue your point, you have to be rational and logical about it,
not just blabbering.

Also recall that to obtain your Nyx account you signed a contract which
included the point that you will not violate usenet etiquette.  If you have
a problem with netiquette (which has evolved basically along the same
philosophical principles I adhere to), then -- leave the net.

Please remember when you post that you're not alone in the world, nor does
the world revolve around you.  Put a better way, apply the "What if everybody
did this?" test to your actions.  For example, if everybody posted to
newsgroups that weren't relevant (as a joke, to get attention, whatever),
we'd have no need for newsgroups, we could just lump all the tens of
thousands of messages together in one pile.  And hey, no need for subject
headers, let's just have everyone read the text of ALL the messages to see
if they're interested.  As for courtesy, why, if folks aren't nice to me,
that means I don't have to be nice to anyone else, right?  So let's just
all be really nasty and rude to each other.  If you like that idea, let's
just carry it to its natural conclusion and all kill each other; let's leave
the planet to the ants and dolphins.  Yeah, right.  So just remember, when
you take action X, you're setting a precedent that it's ok for ANYBODY to
do action X, in fact, you're encouraging that X be done by everybody and
often.  Is that *really* the kind of world you want to live in?  If you
really think about the ultimate consequences of it, I'm sure you'll say no.

Please remember that unless we bring back slavery or encourage
dictatorships, the only way humans can build civilizations is by
cooperation, which requires courtesy and common sense.  Oh, by the way,
if we do bring back slavery, figure you'll be one of the slaves :-)

I'm not trying to censor anyone, just ensure that they support their beliefs.
I hope to encourage people to see past their own self-interests and lack
of concern for others.  This policy allows you to have any view you
want, and express any opinion you want, in any reasonable way you want --
as long as you're willing to defend your position.

Message you need to deal with is: