[10] WHAT IS COMMON SENSE AND HOW DO I USE IT?

     People tend to be more abusive or defensive while typing away on a
     computer keyboard.  People are also more apt to being gulliable
     or confused by the text of others displayed on their screen.
     It is very important when you feel these exaggerated emotions to take
     a deep breath and think.  Here are a list of 'common sense' notions
     that you should keep in mind when using SDF.

     1. Don't tell your password to anyone.  NO ONE, not even your god
        should know your password let alone ask you for it.

     2. Check email headers if you get a slightly strange (or obviously
        strange) email from someone saying they are an 'admin' or 'info'
        or 'sysop' or 'support' or 'help'.  In 100% of the cases you will
        find that these do not actually originate on SDF and most likely
        contain a malicious Microsoft virus.  Delete these and do not
        forward them to anyone.

     3. DON'T PANIC - If something goes wrong such as your URL disappears
        or your session 'freezes' or you get a strange error, be patient
        and wait .. if you just wait 5 minutes, the problem will have
        'fixed itself' or disappeared.  Also, check bboard: for
        system notices, maintenance schedules and resolved issues.

     4. Becareful with emotions.  Sometimes users can provoke each other
        to get a reaction, embarrass or hurt one another's feelings.  The
        best medicine if you are being flamed or trolled is to 'walk away'.
        Also, if you meet someone on SDF and decide to meet in person,
        please use caution and follow these simple guidelines:

            a.  Arrange a meeting in a public place.  Don't invite someone
                to your home and don't go to a stranger's home.
            b.  Meet in groups.  Avoid meeting one on one with a stranger.
            c.  If you are going to fall in love, please do so AFTER you 
                have met.  If the feeling isn't mutual, do not persist.
            d.  Don't let your failed relationship affect your desire to
                be a part of SDF.
      
     5. Don't compromise membership priviledges.  If you are an ARPA member
        don't compile or install programs in /tmp or your home directory 
        that would otherwise only be available to ARPA members.  Most notably
        are programs that allocate sockets or allow a user to gain access to
        other ARPA only utilities.

     6. Use /tmp for temporary storage, but be aware.  Each client system 
        has roughly 2GB of 'temporary' space available to all users.  You
        may use this space, but use 'df /tmp' to check that you are not
        going to cause other users problems.  Note, files in /tmp expire
        at around 60 days.