Introduction: -------------

Alt.binaries.joker (ABJ) was originally created for the public exchange of
pictures and wav files, over a decade ago. It has been used in this way
since.

"Joker" originally referred to the wild card in a playing card deck, rather
than being intended to designate the group exclusively as a "humor" group.
Joker is a mixed-use group, for both small binaries, and for conversation
about them and other topics.

Alt.binaries.joker's customary use generally is limited to posting of
binaries of up to 8 parts or less, and 4 megabytes or less, and to text-only
postings of conversations, either about the binaries, or not. On occasion,
posts may be found that exceed those guidelines. Such postings are typically
not an issue if they are infrequent, and are within twice the guidelines.
Examples are short video clips of local events, or posting of multiple
pictures from a recent vacation, if they would be of interest to the group,
or were specifically requested.

While there are no specific prohibitions on content beyond those that the
law requires, consideration for the others on the group, and common-sense,
should be exercised. Material that is simply gratuitous, intended to offend
others, or damage other's rights or the value of others' property should be
taken elsewhere. Repeated posting of such material, of spam, or of UCE, will
likely be challenged; first on the newsgroup, and then with the Usenet
Provider, if the complaints of others suggest it necessary.

Please note that some Providers use a facility of Usenet header-protocols to
limit distribution of posts to within country, region, locality, or Provider
boundaries. In those instances where the Provider limits distribution, the
usage of ABJ may vary from that described herein. If you believe that your
Provider does limit distribution, please check with your Provider for
instructions BEFORE posting outside these FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions: ---------------------------

Q: What is topical in ABJ?

A: Just about anything. In fact, there is no particular topic that is
off-limits. Please try to keep the posting size within the guidelines, and
be civil in conversations.

Q: There are posts here that make no sense. Why is that?

A: That's true. It is part of the human condition - a condition that may
be more accepted here than in most places. Sometimes they are interesting,
and sometimes not so.

From time to time, people will post binaries from or that refer to threads
in other non-binary, text-only, discussion groups. Thus, a picture may
appear "out of the ether", without apparent reason or explanation. This use
of .joker is a long-accepted part of the customary use of the newsgroup.

Q: I have some pictures I'd like to post. What should I consider when I
post them?

A: There are no guidelines on content other than those provided by the laws
of your country, the agreement with your Service Provider, and common sense.
As is always advisable on Usenet, take a look at what is normally posted in
the newsgroup. Graphic pictures of injury, mistreatment, and violence are
not appreciated by most who frequent the group. You may occasionally see
some that are "sexy", but "erotic" begins to push the group's sensibilities,
and "XXX" will likely cause complaint.

It is also good practice to use an image editor to save the picture in a
reasonable size and format. Bitmaps and TIFs from high-megapixel cameras can
usually be sized to 600 pixels for the larger dimension and saved in the JPG
format with the data-size reductions of 10 or more times.

Q: Is it acceptable to post text only posts?

A: Certainly. Comments on any binaries posted, jokes, and conversational
postings are perfectly acceptable. But as in all newsgroups, consider
whether the topic would be better received, or of more general interest,
elsewhere. While brief exchange of conversation relative to a posting do
sometimes appear here, the group is not a discussion group per se.

Q: Is it OK to post jokes here?

A: Sure, why not? You may see "joke-of-the-day" postings from some humor
Websites posted here,as well. As long as they are more text than graphics,
simply mention the site's name, and are not more frequent than daily, most
of those who frequent this newsgroup do enjoy the gift of others' humor.

Q: Since nothing is off-topic, can I post my advertisements here?

A: The purpose of advertising is to announce, educate, and create
good-will. While we are certain your particular advertisements are worthy,
there are better places, and ways, to advertise on the Internet. Use of the
group for advertising may result in more ill-will than good-will, defeating
one of the very purposes of advertising.

Q: May I post a movie here for my friends?

A: Please don't. Aside from the obvious legal question of posting
Copyrighted material, movies are usually very large in size. Some services
adjust server retention-time based on the volume in the newsgroup.
Uploading many large binary files may reduce the retention time to less than
a few days, sometimes, much less. That adversely affects those that post-to
and read ABJ, and changes the group from its mixed-use of conversation and
small-binaries custom.

Q: Can I post ripped CDs here?

A: Please reconsider. The RIAA won't like it, they do monitor it, and the
sizes of the files exceed guidelines by many multiples. See "May I post a
movie here for my friends?"

Q: Alt.binaries.joker looks like a good group to transmit DVDs and music
CDs to. After all, no one is using it, right?

A: Beyond Copyright issues, and even though it may occasionally appear
otherwise, there _are_ people using it. There may be a few days without
traffic, but that changes. Traffic tends to be a bit "bursty" here, but the
group _is_ regularly used.

Q: What happens if alt.binaries.joker is misused?

A: It is every individual's right to complain of misuse of a shared
resource. Most Usenet Providers have Terms of Service and/or Acceptable Use
Policies, and when politely informed of misuse, they typically do act on
them.

In publishing this FAQ, we are simply seeking consideration and cooperation.
Usenet is a self-policed entity, and that is why it remains one of the
freest forms of communications in most (but not in all) countries on this
planet that we all share. If the customary use guidelines are ignored, the
poster will probably be politely reminded of the group's customary use, and
asked to stop the non-customary use. If that request is ignored, and the
misuse continues, the individuals frequenting the group have been known to
exercise their right to effectively complain to the Usenet Provider of the
misuser.

For those Providers that do not have TOS/AUP policies, who do not enforce
them, or who are "rogue", there is very little anyone can do about it other
than take the matter to Usenet itself as a complaint against the Provider.

Q: Hey, this is the Internet. Who has the right to tell me what I can do?

A: No one is telling anyone what they can, or cannot, do. Those of us that
use this newsgroup are simply asking that the customary-use guidelines be
observed, to allow this group to perform its decade-old customary purpose.

Alt.binaries.joker has a long history of having its frequenters, and Usenet
Providers, help to protect its purpose by appropriate, contractual, and
reasonable means. We all thank the posters here, and the Usenet Providers,
in advance, for their assistance in maintaining the customary use of this
newsgroup.

Enjoy the group.