Have you ever thought about starting a word processing business using the computers in one of your school's computer labs? Could you operate such a business from your dorm room using your own computer? Can you use your company's e-mail for personal business? You can find the answers to these questions in your school's or company's acceptable use policy (AUP). For an example of an acceptable use policy, check out Creighton University's "NSFNet Acceptable Use Policy" at www.creighton.edu/nsfnet-aup.html. This AUP identifies what is acceptable as well as unacceptable use. You might also look at Mountainview Computer Technology's Acceptable Use Policy, located on the Web at www.new-hampshire.net/aup.htm, which lists rules for its Internet customers. The article, "Developing a School or District Acceptable Use Policy for Student and Staff Access to the Internet" (www.etdc.wednet.edu/aup/index.html), discusses guidelines and a philosophy for developing an acceptable use policy for K-12 school districts. This Web site also includes links to a PowerPoint slide presentation; samples of policies, consent forms, and letters to parents; an article that reviews Internet case law; and other resources on legal aspects of acceptable use and the Internet.
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