Subject: DRAFT set of principles

From: [email-masked]
Date: Mon, 11 May 1992 11:34:31 -0700

Hello to everybody.   We're beginning to frame a project in Seattle,
initially via the CPSR chapter here.  We're going to be involving
representatives of the community very soon.  I wanted to distribute
a DRAFT of our Principles for your review and comment.  We are hoping
that these principles will help guide the project over the years.
I'd like to hear any feedback from you on this.  Thanks!

-- Doug

                 Principles of the Seattle Community Network

                CPSR/Seattle Community Networks Working Group

                               %%% DRAFT %%%

The Seattle Community Network (SCN) nominally is a public computer network.
Beyond that, however, it is a service conceived for the public good with
stated, principled intentions.  These principles, stated below, are a series
of commitments, that will guide the ongoing development and management of the
system for both the organizing committee and cooperating individuals and
organizations.

Commitment to Access -

  Access to the SCN will be free to all.

  We will strive to provide access to all groups of people, regardless of
  gender, age, national or ethnic background, socio-economic status, sexual
  preference, educational attainment, religious affiliation, or political
  beliefs.

  We will strive to provide access to people with special needs.  This
  includes both special-purpose interfaces as well as support for non-
  English speakers.

  We will strive to make the SCN accessible from public places.

Commitment to Service -

  The SCN will offer reliable service.  Response time will be within
  acceptable limits.

  We will strive to provide information that is timely and important to our
  users.

  We will provide the support for electronic information exchange between
  individuals as well as information through databases and other services.

Commitment to Democracy -

  The SCN will promote participation in government and public dialogue.
  Users will be actively involved in the ongoing development of the SCN.

  The SCN will place high value in freedom of speech and expression and in
  the free exchange of ideas.

  We will make every effort to ensure privacy of the system users, using the
  Code of Fair Information Practice as our guide.

  We will participate in ensuring and promoting the existence of democratic
  use of electronic technology.

Commitment to the World Community

  In addition to serving the local community, we will strive to become part
  of a larger national and international community.

  We will strive to build a system that can serve as a model that could be
  adopted in other communities.

Commitment to the Future -

  We will continue to evolve and improve the SCN.  In the future, this could
  include voice telephone access or graphic output.

  We will work with information providers and with groups involved in
  projects involving other media, such as public access television, to
  support our principles.

  The SCN will expand the use of community networks to include applications
  like electronic town halls for community goverance, or electronic
  encyclopedias for enhanced access to information.

  We will solicit feedback on the technology while in use, and strive to
  make it as accessible and humane as possible.