The main purpose of Vermont Link is to provide access to the Internet for its subscribers. It is the intention of Vermont Link to allow its subscribers that access with minimal or no interference.

In a multi-subscriber environment such as Vermont Link, the actions of a single subscriber may have a severe impact on the other customer's abilities to access the Internet. It is not uncommon for an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to be blocked from use of another organizations systems due to repeated misuses of that ISP's resources. As we feel that this would be grossly unfair to our many subscribers, Vermont Link has adopted these Acceptable Use Policies. They are intended to provide guidelines on what Vermont Link constitutes inappropriate use of the access to the Internet and alert our subscribers to whatever actions we may be forced to take, with or without notice, should we become aware of the appropriate use of this service.

Vermont Link recognizes that many of the individual components of the Internet have other specific guidelines for use. The preservation of Vermont Link's technical resources, the continuation of its high quality service to its customers, the compliance with the existing laws and regulations, and the protection of Vermont Link's reputation as a service provider compel us to enact the Acceptable Use Policies detailed below. These guidelines will be enforced when dealing with complaints from the Internet community to determine when action should be taken. All Vermont Link subscribers and advertisers are expected to follow these policies.

ACCESS TO VERMONT LINK'S INTERNET SERVICE IS PROVIDED SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

I. Warranties / Disclaimers:

The Vermont Link Internet service is provided on an "as is, as available" basis. While our intention is to provide more than adequate bandwidth to support our subscriber base, no warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to those of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, are made with respect to Vermont Link or any information or software therein. Vermont Link shall have no liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages suffered by you in connection with your use of or inability to use the Vermont Link. Services including, but not limited to, damages from loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, service interruptions, or the inadvertent release or disclosure of information sent by you even if the same is caused by Vermont Link's own negligence. Vermont Link further specifically disclaims to the full extent permitted by applicable law any responsibility for and under no circumstances shall be liable for any conduct, content, goods and services available on or through the Internet or through Vermont Link services. In no event shall Vermont Link's aggregate liability exceed the amount paid by you to Vermont Link for Vermont Link services. Use of any information obtained via Vermont Link's Internet service is at the users own risk. Vermont Link specifically disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy, safety, or the quality of information obtained through its services.

II. Security:

The subscriber is responsible for all the use of subscriber's accounts, confidentiality, safety of password(s) and ensuring file protections are set correctly. Vermont Link retains the right to suspend access or change access to subscriber's accounts immediately upon notification by subscriber that subscriber's password has been lost, stolen or otherwise compromised. Vermont Link is not liable for consequences of any usage of compromised accounts prior to Vermont Link making the necessary account alteration. No computer system should be considered safe from intrusion, although electronic mail (e-mail) on this system is as private as we can make it. E-mail should not be considered a secure means of communication even if encrypted (which is only as secure as the encryption method utilized.)

Personal Files:

Vermont Link is not responsible for subscriber's personal files residing on Vermont Link. Vermont Link reserves the right to delete subscriber's personal files after one or both parties terminate the service agreement between Vermont Link and the subscriber.

Non-Transferability of Account:

The right to use Vermont Link's Internet service is not transferable, being expressly limited to the individual or family whose name appears on the account.

Network Address Ownership:

Any network address assignments issued by Vermont Link (i.e., IP address) are the property of Vermont Link and are assigned dynamically. In the event service with Vermont Link is disconnected for any such reason, such addresses will revert to Vermont Link. The network addresses are assigned on a per session basis and are designed to allow for Web Surfing. This design/assignment of network addresses could affect (not allow) some games/services (IRC, CU-SeeMe) which require a fully qualified address.

Compliance with all Laws:

Subscriber agrees:

To use the service in a manner consistent with any and all applicable laws and regulations. Reproduction or transmission of any material in violation of any local, state. U.S. or international law or regulation is prohibited; that any material to be reproduced or transmitted on Vermont Link's service through subscriber's accounts does not violate or infringe any patent, trademark, copyright, common law or proprietary rights of others:

That such material as might be reproduced or transmitted on Vermont Link's service through his/her account does not contain anything obscene, libelous or threatening. Subscriber agrees software intended to facilitate any such violations or infringements may not be stored on Vermont Link: at Vermont Link's discretion, not to use Vermont Link services or accounts for inappropriate usage;

Subscriber shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Vermont Link from and against any claims, liabilities and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, resulting from subscriber's use of Vermont Link service or subscribers accounts in an unlawful manner or otherwise in violation of or contrary to subscriber's Agreement with Vermont Link or Vermont Link's Acceptable Use Policies.

Acceptable Conduct:

The following usage of Vermont Link resources is deemed acceptable under the terms of service:usage for private personal communications;usage for public communications as suggested by the characters of USENET newsgroups and the well-known guidelines generally accepted by the users and news administrators of same; usage for research or educational purposes; and Usage for data communications in accordance with acceptable laws.

Unacceptable Conduct:

The following types of conduct are grounds for immediate suspension of service pending investigation by Vermont Link and may result in termination of the accounts determined to have originated the conduct. In addition, Vermont Link reserves the right to implement technical blocks to multiple postings by a Vermont Link subscriber as described in A, B, C and F below, before such postings are forwarded: violation of any applicable local, state, federal or international laws;

Posting identical or substantially similar articles to an excessive (more than 10) number of newsgroups or continued posting of articles, which are off topic for a news group. Vermont Link will apply a charge of $0.05 per copy for mis-posted USENET articles;

Sending unsolicited mass (to more than 15) e-mailings, hate mail, mail bombs, etc. which provokes complaints from the recipients. Any subscriber who perpetrates such unsolicited non-commercial mass e-mailings shall be subject to a $1,000 service charge, payable to Vermont Link. Unsolicited commercial advertisements are not allowed in e-mail. Vermont Link will apply a charge of $1500 per user for unsolicited commercial e-mail; engaging in either (a) or (b) from a provider other than Vermont Link while using an account on Vermont Link as a mail drop for responses, or to draw attention to a web sit housed within Vermont Link's networks;continued harassment of other individuals on the Internet after being asked to stop by those individuals and by Vermont Link;mail bombing ( the transmission of large volumes of unsolicited e-mail to individuals or individual business accounts);impersonating another user or otherwise falsifying one's user name in e-mail, USENET postings, on Internet Relay Chat (IRC), or with any other Internet service;

Privacy violations: Any attempt to gain access to any other system users private data without express consent of the user. Such attempts include, but are not limited to, tricking other people into releasing their passwords, password cracking and security hole scanning;

Use of IRC bot's or clonebot's on Power Shift. An IRC bot is a program which runs and is connected to an IRC server 24 hours a day, automatically performing certain actions; use of programs or methods that trick our systems from disconnecting an inactive user after a pre-determined amount of time, and/or a program that connects or re-connects the user's session automatically and without his/her manual intervention;

Network unfriendly activity. Any attempt to interfere with the regular workings of Vermont Link's systems or network connections or which adversely affect the ability of other people or systems to use Vermont Link services on the Internet, including, but not limited to: any unauthorized attempts by a user to gain root access or access to any account not belonging to that user on this or any other Vermont Link system; any use of this or any other Vermont Link system as a staging ground to disable other systems.

Right to Disconnect Non-dedicated Accounts:

Vermont Link unlimited interactive usage dial-up connections are not intended to be full-time dedicated connections and will be disconnected after 15 minutes of inactivity. Subscriber agrees not to use any automatic method to avoid disconnection, to keep the connection active only when the subscriber is actively using it, and not to provide public information services over the connection. Vermont Link reserves the right to impose a restriction on accounts deemed by it to be in violation of these conditions.

Excess Utilization of System or Network Resources:

Vermont Link account descriptions specify limits on bandwidth, CPU and disk utilization for subscribers. Upon determination by Vermont Link that a subscriber is in excess of those limits, the subscriber will be notified by e-mail. The subscriber may be requested to upgrade a web hosting agreement or to modify the activity creating the excess use 48 hours after transmission of that notice. A determination by Power Shift that any access utilization adversely affects Vermont Link's ability to provide service for all subscribers may result in immediate action to relieve the problem. In that event, the subscriber will be notified as soon, as is practicable.

Compliance with Rules of other Networks:

Any access to other networks connected to Vermont Link's Internet service must comply with the rules for that other network, as well as with Vermont Link's rules.

Monitoring/Privacy:

Vermont Link reserves the right to monitor any and all communications through or with CAIS facilities. Subscriber agrees that Vermont Link is not considered a secure communications medium for the purposes of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and that no expectation of privacy is afforded. It may be necessary for Vermont Link employees to examine system accounting logs and other records to determine if privacy violations or other network unfriendly activities have occurred. Vermont Link also reserves the right to access a subscriber's mailbox or other files stored on Vermont Link systems to resolve system problems or mail system errors .Vermont Link reserves the right to cooperate with law enforcement and other authorities in investigating claims of illegal activity including, but not limited to, illegal transfer or availability of copyrighted material, postings, or e-mail containing threats of violence or other illegal activity.

Confidentiality of Personal Subscriber Information:Vermont Link will not release a subscriber's personal subscriber information, nor a subscriber's billing information to any third party except upon presentation of a valid court order of a government or entity within our jurisdiction. Subscriber agrees that Vermont Link's judgment as to the validity of any court order of subpoena shall be considered proper and final.ight to Suspend or Cancel Account:

Vermont Link reserves the right to suspend or cancel service to a subscriber at any time and without notice for any reason. Reasons include, but are not limited to, refusal to pay for services provided or by sole judgment of Vermont Link that the subscriber may be performing activities harmful to Vermont Link or its subscribers, employees, vendors, business relationships or any other users of the Internet.

Right to Damages:

Vermont Link reserves the right to collect damages (software, hardware and man hours) if any harm is done to Vermont Link that requires the repair or reconfiguration of any kind.

Other Remedies / Non-Waiver:

Nothing contained in these policies shall be construed to limit action Vermont Link may take or remedies available to Vermont Link in any way with respect to any of the described conduct. Vermont Link reserves the right to take additional actions Vermont Link may consider appropriate with respect to such conduct. Such actions include taking action to recover the costs and expenses of identifying offenders and removing them from the Vermont Link service, and levying cancellation charges to cover Vermont Link's costs in the event of disconnection of dedicated access for the causes outlined above. In addition, Vermont Link reserves, at all times, all rights and remedies available to Vermont Link with respect to such conduct at law or in equity. Non-enforcement of any policy or rule herein does not constitute consent or waiver and Vermont Link reserves the right to enforce such policy or rule at its sole discretion.

Right to Change Service:

Vermont Link reserves the right to change, without notice, the Vermont Link service, including access procedures, hours of operation, menu structures, commands, documentation, vendors and services offered.

Right to Modify Acceptable Use Policies:

Vermont Link may modify its Acceptable Use Policies upon notice published on line via Vermont Link's web page. Subscriber's use of Vermont Link services after such notice shall constitute subscriber's acceptance of the modifications to these policies.

Personal Web Space Regulations:

Personal Web space in the amount of 2MB is given to each user of Power Shift. This space is ONLY to be used for personal reasons. No business may operate, advertise or otherwise conduct business through a web-site on Vermont Link's servers. Business accounts are available through Vermont Link for additional charges.

Toll Charges (POP) Local Dial-in Errors Policy:

It is the responsibility of the subscriber to verify with their local telephone company their correct access number to insure a toll-free connection.

Vermont Link assumes no liability for toll charges incurred by users for incorrectly entering a local access number in their computer. In addition, Vermont Link will not reimburse customers for toll charges under the following conditions:

Failure to adequately install software product;

Improperly entering a local access number;

Improperly obtaining a local access number;

Improperly obtaining a local access number from Customer Service or any other Vermont Link employee;

Vermont Link assumes no liability, and the user obtains no recourse, against Vermont Link improperly entering a local access number that results in toll charges. The maximum liability on Vermont Link would be under our cancellation policy; provided all conditions are met under said policy. Vermont Link will not make exceptions to this policy. The user is ultimately responsible to insure proper local access numbers are used.

USER AGREES THAT BY USING OUR SERVICE THAT THEY ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND IS LEGALLY ABLE TO ENT