The Internet has developed remarkably in recent years and has become widely and deeply embedded in our daily lives. Because its use has spread so rapidly, conventions are not yet firmly established and users often find themselves unsure how to behave. At the same time, illegal activities on the network, such as the distribution of pornography, have become a social problem, and legal regulation is being considered. We have therefore prepared this “Code of Conduct for Network Use” as a reference when you use the network for your daily work, education, research, study and self-development, in the hope that it will contribute to the interests and development of Toyohashi University of Technology and, in turn, to the sound progress of a networked society.

Precisely because it is so easy to publish information on the network, great care is needed. There is no need to overthink it, however: in essence, behave on the network in accordance with the laws, morals and common sense of society at large. Never do anything on the network that would not be acceptable in ordinary society. Even where it is not illegal, you must not use the network in a way that damages the dignity of Toyohashi University of Technology (tut.ac.jp).

General points

• You must not engage in any illegal activity or activity contrary to public order and morals on the network, such as distributing pornography, gambling or operating pyramid schemes. Nor may you engage in destructive acts such as unauthorized access to other systems or networks, or the distribution of viruses.
• You must not defame or slander individuals or particular organizations, or otherwise damage their reputation, and you must not spread false information.
• Do not use the university's computers or network for commercial purposes.
• You must not infringe intellectual property rights such as copyright, or property rights, for example by making illegal copies.
• The Internet comprises many networks with differing operating policies. When you access each network, follow that network's policy.
  This university is a member of the Science Information Network (SINET). That network requires its members to observe the following: (1) do not use the network for purposes other than academic research and the administrative work that supports it; (2) do not use it for commercial purposes; (3) do not violate the privacy of communications; (4) do not use it in ways that interfere with the operation of the network; and (5) observe any other matters separately specified by the director.
• The Internet connects the whole world, so try to develop an international outlook and be mindful of time differences and differences in custom between countries.
• When using the network, put yourself in the other person's position and take care not to cause them trouble. For example, do not send an administrator of a site enquiries unrelated to their work, such as asking them to find a person for you.
• Do not place an unnecessarily heavy load on the network, for example by transferring large numbers of files needlessly or sending chain mail. Take particular care when setting up mail forwarding, so as to avoid generating large numbers of error messages.
  When downloading files, please use the nearest site where possible.

The following sections give specific points regarding email, news, mailing lists and creating web pages.

Email

When sending email to an individual, you will not go wrong if you follow the same etiquette as when writing a letter. Always identify yourself as the sender; never send anonymous email or email from which the sender cannot be identified. Because email currently conveys almost none of the gesture and tone of voice that accompany speech, intentions are often not fully communicated in email discussions, so take care with your wording to avoid misunderstanding.

News

When posting to news, remember that, as with a letter to a newspaper, an unspecified number of people may read it. Follow the conventions of each newsgroup. Never post anonymously or in a way that makes the sender impossible to identify.

Mailing lists

When you send mail to a mailing list, the readership is defined but still large, so follow the same principles as for news postings and web pages. Follow the conventions of each mailing list. Never post anonymously or in a way that makes the sender impossible to identify.

Creating web pages

When creating a web page, state the author and the date of creation (or revision) clearly. The author bears full responsibility for the content and must pay particular attention to copyright and other intellectual property rights. As with advertising in the mass media, remember that an unspecified number of people may see it. Do not link to sites that publish illegal material or material contrary to public order and morals. Pay careful attention to security, and be careful how you set the scope of disclosure (within the laboratory, within the university, off campus, and so on).

The following web page on etiquette for Internet use may be of interest.

• Netiquette Home Page
  This page provides various information on netiquette (network etiquette).