Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!neuro.usc.edu!root
From: root@neuro.usc.edu (System Manager)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: Re: Nude images removed from wuarchive
Message-ID: <23350@usc.edu>
Date: 9 Mar 90 04:25:15 GMT
References: <1990Mar8.222758.8166@cs.utk.edu>
Sender: news@usc.edu
Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
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In article <1990Mar8.222758.8166@cs.utk.edu> battle@cs.utk.edu (David Battle) writes:
>From wuarchive.wustl.edu ~ftp/graphics/gif/R_X_rated/README:
>
>> We're sorry, but the R_X_rated directory of GIF files has been taken
>> off-line due to questions about its usefulness as a research and/or
>> academic tool as required by the Appropriate Use Guidelines for the
>> Internet.
>
The Internet Appropriate Use Guidelines do not dictate what information
can be stored on a computer system connected to the network.  Formally,
these guidelines may impose some limitations on who can use the network
and the content of messages transmitted over the network.  Informally,
there appears to be tacit acceptance that the benefits of a free flow
of communications relating to computer science, software, social issues
and recreational discussions permit free flow of such information over
the network.  It seems to me that the Appropriate Use Guidelines do not
contemplate the censorship of an archive of images.  While I have never
seen the subject images, I do not expect that they are any more or less
appropriate as subjects for image enhancement and/or any other research
purpose.  Indeed, the presumably smooth contours of subjects contained
and presumably less than ideal lighting conditions would make at least 
a few of these images good candidates as examples of difficult image
processing tasks.  Strict interpretation of the Internet Guidelines
would preclude much of the discussion in this newsgroup and a large
amount of current network bandwidth.  [Exactly how many of you have
current federal contracts/subcontracts requiring network access and/or
represent a federal agency with approval to use the Internet?]