General Information About the Electronic Frontier Foundation
============================================================

The Electronic Frontier Foundation
1001 G Street NW, Suite 950 E
Washington DC 20001 USA
+1 202 347 5400 (voice)
+1 202 393 5509 (fax)
+1 202 638 6119 (BBS - 16.8k ZyXEL)
+1 202 638 6120 (BBS - 14.4k V.32bis)
Internet: ask@eff.org
Internet fax gate: remote-printer.EFF@9.0.5.5.3.9.3.2.0.2.1.tpc.int


The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) was founded in July of 1990
to ensure that the principles embodied in the Constitution and the Bill
of Rights are protected as new communications technologies emerge.

Since its inception, EFF has worked to shape our nation's communications
infrastructure and the policies that govern it in order to maintain and
enhance First Amendment, privacy and other democratic values. We believe
that our overriding public goal must be the creation of Electronic
Democracy, so our work focuses on the establishment of:

* new laws that protect citizens' basic Constitutional rights as they
  use new communications technologies,

* a policy of common carriage requirements for all network providers
  so that all speech, no matter how controversial, will be carried without
  discrimination,

* a National Public Network where voice, data and video services are
  accessible to all citizens on an equitable and affordable basis, and

* a diversity of communities that enable all citizens to have a voice in
  the information age.


Legal Services
--------------

EFF sponsors legal cases where users' online civil liberties have been
violated. The Steve Jackson Games case, decided in March of 1993,
established privacy protections for electronic mail and publications that
are kept online. We continue to monitor the online community for legal
actions that merit EFF support.

EFF provides a free telephone hotline for members of the online community
who have questions regarding their legal rights.

Members of EFF's staff and board speak to law enforcement organizations,
state attorney bar associations and university classes on the work that
we do and how these groups can get involved.


Civil Liberties
---------------

EFF has been working to make sure that common carrier principles are
upheld in the information age. Common carrier principles require that
network providers carry all speech, regardless of its controversial content.
Common carriers must also provide all speakers and information providers
with equal, nondiscriminatory access to the network.

Last year, the FBI introduced legislation to require communications
technologies to be certified as open to lawful government surveillance
before those technologies can be deployed. EFF organized a broad coalition
of 39 computer, telephone and public interest groups to oppose this measure.

EFF is working to convince Congress that all measures that support broader
public access to information should be enacted into law. For example, the
law that establishes citizen access to information, the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA), does not require government agencies to turn over
the electronic version of information, which is often the most useful
version. EFF supports an Electronic Freedom of Information Act and other
legislation to make information more accessible to citizens.

EFF supports both legal and technical means to enhance privacy in
communications. We, therefore, advocate all measures that ensure the
public's right to use the most effective encryption technologies available.


National Network
----------------

EFF has been working with policymakers to establish a national network, or
network of networks, capable of transporting video images and data, as well
as voice. Our "Open Platform Proposal" advocates a network that is
accessible to all citizens at an affordable price. For the near-term,
EFF supports the implementation of ISDN (Integrated Services Digital
Network) technology. ISDN makes it possible for the current telephone
network to be used to send voice, video and data at a low cost to consumers.

EFF has written a white paper that describes ISDN applications that are
currently available for use at home, school, the workplace and beyond.

EFF has been working with policymakers on legislation that encourages
individuals and organizations to create tools that make the Internet and
the National Research and Education Network (NREN) easier to access and use.


Community Building
------------------

EFF, in conjunction with the Consumer Federation of America and the
American Civil Liberties Union, coordinates and sponsors the Communications
Policy Forum (CPF). CPF enables nonprofit organizations, computer and
communications firms, and government policymakers to come together in a
nonpartisan setting to discuss communications policy goals and strategies.

In order to foster community and openness, EFF works with local organizations
that support online communications issues. In January of 1993, EFF sponsored
a summit of groups from around the country to discuss common goals. We also
participate in an online mailing list for organizations that share our
interests.

EFF is a funder and organizer of the annual Computers, Freedom and Privacy
conference, where academics, civil libertarians, law enforcement officials
and computer users all meet to discuss the privacy implications of
communicating online. Each year at the conference, EFF presents its Pioneer
Awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to computer
communications.

EFF publishes a biweekly electronic newsletter, EFFector Online, that is
sent to subscribers at their e-mail addresses and distributed via
Usenet's comp.org.eff.news group. We also publish a quarterly  hardcopy
newsletter entitled Networks & Policy.

EFF maintains several communications forums on the Internet. We have our
own Internet node, eff.org, which houses our ftp and gopher sites, as well
as our Internet "mailing list" conferences, including eff-talk.  EFF also
maintains a conference on the Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link (WELL),
CompuServe (CIS), and America On Line (AOL), GEnie (GEIS), and elsewhere.

The EFF BBS, started in March 1994, carries a wide selection of the files
available on our Internet server.


HOW TO FIND EFF ONLINE
======================

-=> Please note that WWW, FTP, gopher, WAIS and BBS services are still "under
construction", as are many of our forums on various online services, and that
new material is added frequently, so you may wish to check back periodically.


Internet and USENET:
--------------------

News Services and Forums for Discussion:

If you receive any Usenet newsgroups, your site may carry the newsgroups
comp.org.eff.news and comp.org.eff.talk. The former is a moderated
newsgroup for announcements, newsletters, and other information; the latter
is an unmoderated discussion group for talk and debate on EFF and issues
relating to the electronic frontier and civil liberties. Also, Usenet's
alt.politics.datahighway may be of interest.  This conference was started by
EFF in November of 1993, to provide a forum for discussion of the national
(or global) information infrastructure, from deployment plans to civil
liberties issues to debunking of hype.

For those unable to read the newsgroups, there are redistributions via
electronic mail, as well as other EFF mailing lists:

comp-org-eff-news
        News-->mail gate of newsgroup comp.org.eff.news, EFF releases only.
comp-org-eff-talk
        Mail<-->news gate of newsgroup  comp.org.eff.talk (high-traffic)
eff-activists
        EFF alerts & campaign info, focused online activist/volunteer
        discussion
effector-online
        Distribution of EFFector Online, EFF's bi-weekly newsletter only
net-guide
        Monthly updates to EFF's Guide to the Internet (previously Big Dummy's
        Guide, pub'd. in hardcopy by MIT Press as Everybody's Guide.)
alt-politics-datahighway
        Mail<-->news gateway of the newsgroup alt.politics.datahighway
civil-liberty-index
        Indexes of "newsy" civil liberties articles from Usenet
comp-academic-freedom-talk
        Discussion of Computers and Academic Freedom (non-digested/abstracted)
comp-academic-freedom-abstracts
        Abstracts from comp-academic-freedom-news (1/wk)
comp-academic-freedom-batch
        Discussion of Computers and Academic Freedom (batch version, 1/dy)
comp-academic-freedom-news
        Best of the discussion on Computers and Academic Freedom (1/wk)
comp-gopher-diffs
        Distribution and discussion of "bookmarks" to new Gopher material

For more detailed descriptions, send a message containing
the commands:
HELP
LONGINDEX
in the body of your message to listserv@eff.org.

Please note that comp-org-eff-talk can be high-volume at times, so you are
advised to use filtering.

Those in FidoNet and some other BBS networks can probably get the newsletter
and other low-traffic lists via gateway systems.  Ask your network
coordinators for more information.

File Archives:

A document library containing all EFF news releases and other publications
of interest, including John Perry Barlow's history of EFF - "Crime and
Puzzlement," as well as recent and proposed legislation, materials for
online activists, archives of electronic publications, records of trials
and legal cases, information alerts, and other related documents & papers,
is available via anonymous FTP from ftp.eff.org. Send a note to
ftphelp@eff.org if you have difficulties or are unable to use FTP.
If you are on the Internet, you can use your host's FTP program to
connect to ftp.eff.org (192.77.172.4).  Login as "anonymous" and use your
e-mail address as the password.

This archive may also be accessed via the Gopher, and World Wide Web (Lynx,
Mosaic, Cello, etc.) services, at gopher.eff.org, and http://www.eff.org/,
respectively.  These utilities present documents and other files in
hierarchical, easy-to-navigate menus, allowing you to read online, and save
what you want to disk on your own machine.  If you don't have access to a
gopher client, but do have access to telnet, you can use another site's
gopher client by telnetting to consultant.micro.umn.edu, login: gopher.
From there, select "Other gopher servers", then "North America", "USA",
"Washington DC", "Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)".  There are a
couple of new e-mail servers for accessing gopher sites - start
off by sending mail with a subject and message body of "help" (no quotes) to
gophermail@ncc.go.jp or gophermail@calvin.edu.  SunSITE offers several
public services via telnet login. These include: gopher (login: gopher),
World Wide Web (login: lynx - select g http://www.eff.org/ to get to EFF),
WAIS - over 500 databases (login: swais).

When completed, Wide-Area Information Server (WAIS) database indexing of the
EFF archives will be available at wais.eff.org via Internet.


Outpost - EFF Online (the EFF BBS):
-----------------------------------

The EFF bulletin board system, Outpost - EFF Online, begun in March 1994,
supports 300-14400bps connections (V.32bis, V.42bis, 8 bits, no parity,
1 stop-bit - 8N1) on it's dialup lines.  The system is available 22 hours
per day (3am-5am eastern time reserved for mail transfers and maintenance
routines).  When fully operational, the board will be available 24 hours
per day, will support 4 lines at faster speeds, and will feature online
conferences from a variety of networks including FidoNet, Usenet/Internet,
and more, as well as the full selection of files available from EFF's FTP
archive, EFF membership materials, bulletins on the latest issues affecting
civil liberties in cyberspace, and other related files and services.  The
data phone number for the system is +1 202 638 6120.   Outpost's FidoNet
address is 1:109/1108.  Access to the BBS is free (besides calling costs;
at present we do not have a toll-free number.)  Other network addresses:
WishNet - 19:1202/101; StormNet - 181:193/1; IndraNet - 369:1011/2


The Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link (WELL):
---------------------------------------

The WELL, based in the San Francisco area, is host to an active EFF
conference, as well as many other related conferences of interest to EFF
supporters. Telecom access is available through the CompuServe Packet
Network.  If you have an Internet connection, you can reach the WELL via
telnet at well.sf.ca.us; otherwise, dial +1 415 332 6106 (data). The
WELL's voice number is +1 415 332 4335.  To get to the EFF conference, type
"g eff".


CompuServe (CIS):
-----------------

Our forum on CompuServe is also open. GO EFFSIG to join. Many of the files
on ftp.eff.org, as well as other items of interest, are mirrored in the
EFFSIG Libraries, and a lively debate and chat area exists with more
than 15 online message areas.   CIS can be reached via telnet at
compuserve.com.


America Online (AOL):
---------------------

EFF has opened up a forum on America Online. Go to keyword EFF to join.
Some basic EFF files are available, as well as a large and diverse
discussion and debate area.  In addition, EFF sponsors occasional
interactive discussions in the MCM forum.


GEnie (GEIS):
-------------

The Public Forum * Non-Profit Connection RT hosts an EFF forum on GEnie,
including a stock of EFF newsletters and info in Library 13, and an EFF
discussion area (Category 7, Topic 17).  Please support this volunteer
effort and add your thoughts to the forum.  The Public Forum is keyword
PF (or page 545).  GEnie's voice sign-up number for new users is 1-800-638-
9636; the sign-up code (which will get you some free time online to check out
the system) is MHC524.

Byte Information Exchange (BIX):
--------------------------------

An EFF forum is available on BIX.  The online EFF area is located at
topic "eff" in the "security" conference, and BIX can be reached via telnet to
x25.bix.com or bix.com. Like our area on GEnie, the BIX forum is a
volunteer activist effort - please participate, and help make this a great
virtual community of activism and discussion!


Other Services, BBSs, and Networks:
-----------------------------------

From time to time, EFF-oriented resources may appear on other systems; for
instance, Illuminati Online's Metaverse service will feature an EFF
"virtual office", while FidoNet locally gates both comp.org.eff.talk and
comp.org.eff.news.  If you have difficulty finding online material from the
listed sources, try shopping around and you may find what you are looking
for.  All EFF materials are redistributable, and can be found on many BBS
systems around the country.  System operators interested in carrying our
material should contact ask@eff.org, Stanton McCandlish at 1:109/1108, or
call 202-347-5400 and ask for Stanton McCandlish.


Why You Should Join the Electronic Frontier Foundation
======================================================

Every day decisions are being made that will affect your life online.
Decisions about what sorts of technology you can use to protect the privacy
of your communications.  Decisions about what services you will be able to
get over the emerging national information infrastructure.  Decisions that
are made before you even know that there are choices.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has been working since July 1990 to
ensure that the civil liberties guaranteed in the Constitution and the Bill
of Rights are applied to new communications technologies.  Our members join
EFF to make sure that they are informed about the issues and debates that
will shape the future of electronic communications.  EFF members enjoy the
following benefits:

*  subscription to our quarterly hard copy newsletter Networks & Policy;

*  subscription to our biweekly electronic newsletter EFFector Online;

*  online bulletins that will keep you informed about the key legal,
legislative and policy developments affecting your online communications;

*  an online response mechanism to make themselves heard on key issues.

EFF is a respected voice for the rights of users of online technologies.
We feel that the best way to protect your online rights is to be fully
informed and to make your opinions heard.  EFF members are informed, and
are making a difference.  Join EFF today!


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MEMBERSHIP IN THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION
================================================

Print out in monospaced (non-proportional) font and mail or fax to:

  Membership Coordinator - membership@eff.org
  Electronic Frontier Foundation
  1001 G Street, NW, Suite 950 East, Washington, DC  20001
  +1 202 347 5400 (voice)  +1 202 393 5509 (fax)  +1 202 638 6120 (BBS)
  Internet fax gate: remote-printer.EFF@9.0.5.5.3.9.3.2.0.2.1.tpc.int

Or upload to the BBS, or our Internet ftp site: ftp.eff.org, /incoming


SIGN ME UP!
-----------

I wish to become a member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. I enclose:

  ___ Regular membership -- $40
  ___ Student membership -- $20
  ___ SysOp membership   -- $10*

  * SysOp members are required to bring in 10 new members to renew at the
    SysOp membership rate (otherwise normal rates apply).  Send queries to
    membership@eff.org for more info.


* Special Contribution

  I wish to make an additional tax-deductible donation in the amount of
  $__________ to further support the activities of EFF and to broaden
  participation in the organization.


PAYMENT METHOD:
---------------

  ___ Enclosed is a check or money order payable to
    the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

  ___ Please charge my:

     ___ MasterCard        ___ Visa        ___ American Express

     Card Number: _____________________________________________

     Expiration Date: _________________________________________

     Signature: _______________________________________________

     NOTE:  We do not recommend sending credit card information
     via electronic mail, unless it is encrypted!  See end for
     EFF's PGP encryption public key.


YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION:
-------------------------

Name: __________________________________________________________

Organization: __________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________

         _______________________________________________________

         _______________________________________________________

E-mail addresses: ______________________________________________

                  ______________________________________________

Phone: _____________________    FAX: ___________________________

**** SYSOP MEMBERSHIP SECTION ***********************************
*                                                               *
* Ph.:  ____________________    Modem Type: ___________________ *
*                                                               *
*       ____________________    _______________________________ *
*                                                               *
*       ____________________    _______________________________ *
*                                                               *
* BBS Info:  BBS Name: ________________________________________ *
*                                                               *
*            SysOps:___________________________________________ *
*                                                               *
*            Voice/Support Phone: _____________________________ *
*                                                               *
*            Network Addresses: _______________________________ *
*                                                               *
*                               _______________________________ *
*                                                               *
* BBS Notes: (OS, modem types/speeds, Internet connectivity,    *
*            access requirements, hours, fees, software, focus  *
*            or special interests, unique features, etc.)       *
*                                                               *
*           ___________________________________________________ *
*                                                               *
*           ___________________________________________________ *
*                                                               *
*           ___________________________________________________ *
*                                                               *
* EFF will maintain a publicly available list of BBSs and       *
* similar services that support the efforts of the Electronic   *
* Frontier Foundation.  Members with BBSs who support EFF at    *
* the Regular or Student rates can be listed as well.           *
*                                                               *
* Include my BBS in the EFF Member BBS Directory _______        *
*                                                               *
*****************************************************************


PREFERRED CONTACT
-----------------

  ___ Electronic:  Please contact me via the Internet address listed above.
                 I would like to receive the following at that address:

    ___ EFFector Online - EFF's biweekly electronic newsletter
                          (back issues available from ftp.eff.org,
                          pub/EFF/Newsletters/EFFector).

    ___ Online Bulletins - bulletins on key developments
                           affecting online communications.

        NOTE:  Traffic may be high.  You may wish to browse these
        publications in the Usenet newsgroup comp.org.eff.news

  ___ Paper:  Please contact EFF through the US Mail at the street
            address listed above.

        NOTE:  Paper documents available upon request.
        "Networks & Policy" Newsletter automatically sent via US Mail.


PRIVACY POLICY
--------------

EFF occasionally shares our mailing list with other organizations promoting
similar goals. However, we respect an individual's right to privacy and
will not distribute your name without explicit permission.

  ___  I grant permission for the EFF to distribute my name and contact
     information to organizations sharing similar goals.

[This form came from eff.org  - please leave this line on the form!
If you found it elsewhere, please tell us where so we see how far it goes.]

The Electronic Frontier Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization
supported by contributions from individual members, corporations and
private foundations. Donations are tax-deductible.

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