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Guidelines for Information Providers
(approved March 19, 1996)

The following guidelines and information may be helpful to those who want to become an information provider on Show-Me Net:

Who can participate as an information provider?

Government agencies, service organizations, clubs, schools, civic organizations, churches, medical services providers, and businesses may provide information about their organization and services. The information must be free of charge to all. In order for us to retain our non-profit status, the information must be non-commercial.

Is there a charge for becoming a provider or putting information on the Show-Me Net?

While Show-Me Net is eager to have information providers, we also must pay the bills. Therefore, the Board of Directors has decided that any individual or organization that wishes to become an information provider must also be a contributor.

What is required to become an information provider?

The organization must approve and provide an individual as the spokesperson/contact between Show-Me Net and the organization wishing to participate as an information provider. The person(s) need to have a Show-Me Net account and be able to use e-mail and FTP. The organization must submit an application which describes the type of information to be published before they can become a provider.

After the application is approved and a Show-Me Net account is set up, how is the information from the organization submitted?

You will need to design your own home page, menu and decide as an organization what kind of information you will provide. The initial information should be submitted on an IBM formatted diskette. After the initial review, it will be loaded on our web server. Subsequent updates can be sent via e-mail. Most information providers will be expected to directly update their data via FTP on an ongoing basis.

Of course your web page may include graphics, but you must be careful about copyright infringement. Show-Me Net has a color scanner and can help you scan pictures to be included. Most or the users who access the information will be using slow modem links. Therefore the graphics should be as small as reasonable so the downloads will be as short as possible. We recommend you consult with us about how to make your pictures load as efficiently as possible.

Are there any restrictions on information provided to Show-Me Net?

Our restrictions are primarily dictated by the law and our available resources. We do not intend to dictate to an organization what they can contribute, but we must protect our non-profit status and comply with the law.

The following types of information will not be accepted for dissemination by Show-Me Net: advertising, sale or rental of items for commercial gain, invitations to do business on a Show-Me Net posting (online financial transactions are allowed for local tax-exempt, non-profit organizations having 501(c)(3) status and that do not involve tangible goods and services), slanderous material, hate messages, materials inciting or advocating violence, and obscene material.

Submission of material is done at your own risk and information providers are responsible for any information, message, or other material provided and posted on Show-Me Net. Information providers, not Show-Me Net, are responsible for any and all damage resulting from copyright infringement or any other harm.

Information providers are responsible for the accuracy of information submitted to Show-Me Net. Show-Me Net will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by a user's reliance on information obtained on the Show-Me Net. The information provider shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Show-Me Net from any difficulty related to any material placed on Show-Me Net.

What other responsibilities do information providers have?

• Information must be legal. The biggest concern is with respect to copyright issues.
• If the data is so popular that they cause too much outside traffic, we may have to remove them. This is to protect our other users.
• The information must be timely. Each page should include a last modified date.
• All pages must include a pointer back to Show-Me Net's home page. Look at the bottom of this page for an example.
• All pages must identify the provider and the source of the information. A method of contacting the individual or organization should normally be provided.