(work in progress)

ITET Chat server

Purpose

The ITET chat server is a platform for real-time exchange of text-based information, a.k.a. instant messaging.

The nature of this information is:

• Short-lived and of momentary relevance
• Specific to a topic, reflected in an appropriate area i.e. a chat room
• Low in data volume

For information of a different kind please use more suitable services like e-mail, mailing lists, personal websites or polybox.

Usage policy and code of conduct

Summarized the following rules apply for use of this service:

• No illegal activities
• No abuse
• No spam
• Be polite

Detailled information about ETH wide rules applying to this service can be found here:

• Acceptable Use Policy for Telematics Resources (Benutzungsordnung für Telematik an der ETH Zürich, BOT)

• ETH Code of conduct

Behave like being physically in a room with other people

Communicate in English, it is the common spoken and written language used in the multi-cultural environment at ETH.

Introduce yourself when entering a room. This is considered polite. It signals you want to participate in the conversation of the room as opposed to staying in the background observing others.

Show yourself

Use your first and given name as display name. This service is not anonymous, a chat members username is visible to everybody. Your chat members can identify you easier with your full name.

If you decide to enter contact information in your chat profile, keep it up to date so others won't have trouble contacting you.

Stick to the topic

Join a room matching the topic of your information or question. If the topic of a conversation changes, relocate to an appropriate room or create one if it doesn't exist. If the conversation evolves into a dialog, continue in a private conversation.

Do not waste resources

Do not send high volume content like movies or large images. Instead, place your content on a suitable service and provide a link to it. Close your unused chat rooms. Both saves space on our server and makes it easier for everybody to focus on the relevant content of this service.

Best practice

Identify room members before you chat

• Make sure you know who is in a room before you post sensitive or confidential information
• Use encryption if appropriate