Public Unix server etiquette

2020-04-05 00:00

This document provides a list of recommendations for people who use public Unix servers.

A public Unix server is usually a computer that someone is volunteering to share with other people. The maintenance of the computer requires time, keeping the computer on the internet and accessible to users costs money and resources, such as RAM, CPU, and storage space are limited.

Here is a short list of things to avoid when using someone else's public Unix server:

• Do not assume gender. If you don't know someone's preferred pronouns, ask them.

• Do not pirate data. Regardless of your politics on piracy, you are putting the owner of the public Unix server at risk, because it is them who is being seen on the outside.

• Avoid hogging resources such as RAM, CPU, and storage space on your public Unix server. This is unfair for other users, and is also at the expense of the public Unix server's owner.

• Do not mine cryptocurrency. This hogs system resources.

• Avoid downloading as best as you can. The public Unix server's owner has to pay bills for your bandwidth usage.

• Do not post chat messages publicly without permission. Some people rant and fume, and don't want their messages being displayed publicly. It could cost them their job.

• Do not call the police in case of a suicide mention.