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From: bch@ecsvax
Newsgroups: net.mail
Subject: Re: Re: Reading other peoples' mail
Message-ID: <1497@ecsvax>
Date: Mon, 28-Apr-86 23:31:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: ecsvax.1497
Posted: Mon Apr 28 23:31:00 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 14-May-86 01:17:46 EDT
References: <1400@ecsvax>
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In article <128@drilex.UUCP> dricej@drilex.UUCP (Craig Jackson) writes:

>Unix mail is transmitted as a matter of courtesy, not a matter of contract.
>Although we all transmit it, it is in a spirit of cooperation, not because we
>were paid to do so.  Therefore, there is no formal obligation of privacy
>for intersystem mail.

I disagree.  It is my opinion that when we agree to forward others'
mail, we are doing so because others have agreed to forward *our*
mail.  It is an agreement implicit in becoming a member of usenet.
Perhaps it should be explicit -- systems administrators of sites on
usenet should have to have a signed agreement on file before they are
permitted to forward mail onto the net.  Money is not the only
recompense in a contractual agreement.

If I thought that the System Adminstrator at a neighboring site was 
deliberately interfering with mail being forwarded through his or her
system, I would not only route around the site but would probably take
steps to terminate the link.  The agreement must work both ways.
Part of the guarantees of service I attempt to make to our own users
*includes* guarantees to users at other sites temporarily using our
facilities.
-- 

  	  Byron Howes
usenet/bitnet address:  bch@ecsvax

Any opionions expressed herein are purely my own, and do not represent
the views of the General Administration of the University of North
Carolina or those of the North Carolina Educational Computing Service.