How to get validated (3/3/02) THERE IS NO WAY TO GET VALIDATED OTHER THAN FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW. 1. Get the validation form: Either a) run the 'a' option and screen print the form page by page; -or- b) Run the 'ac' option with your screen capture buffer on, or your printer pass-through on, or via an ascii download (depending what your communications program can do); -or- c) If you have an e-mail account elsewhere, use the 'am' option to have a copy e-mailed to you. -or- d) Our web site: http://www.nyx.net/info/validation -or- e) If none of the above work, you can write it out by hand. (It's ok to just write out the form part, fill in the blanks, write that you agree to the terms stated in the on-line form, and get that notarized, etc. -- that is, you don't have to copy down all the terms & conditions.) -or- f) If you *absolutely* can't do any of the above (e.g., you're unable to write), use 'fb' (NON-private mode) and ask if some kind soul in the nyx.help newsgroup) will mail you a copy on paper. 3. Submit a "valid" *signed* copy of the agreement form below to Nyx Net; "valid" means you *must* use one of the following methods: *EITHER* A. In person: - Print out the form and fill it in; - Run the 'where' option on the 'val' menu to find out where you can go in person (in Denver or elsewhere, e.g., London); - Set up an appointment (if requested) and be prepared to show to show positive identification (driver's license, or other photo ID). *OR* B. By postal mail (not e-mail): - Print out the form and fill it in; - Photocopy a legal, signed, *picture* ID of yourself (preferred: driver's license, passport, etc.); - Then obtain a NOTARIZED SIGNATURE on the form (i.e., you sign it in the presence of a Notary Public, who checks your ID). SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION on this method, how to obtain a notarized signature, what to do in foreign countries, etc. Then mail your original notarized form and ID photo to: Nyx Net P. O. Box 16143 Golden, CO 80402 *OR* C. Donation via personal check or VISA/MasterCard: Since a personal check (with YOUR name PRE-PRINTED on it) or a credit card (in YOUR name) are fairly secure means of positive identification, another method of proof of identity is to make a donation by personal check that has your name pre-printed on it or by a visa/mastercard in your name. Make the check out to "Nyx Net" and mail the check and form to the same address as above. If you decide you would like to send a donation as a means to acquire validation, then you should send the donation AND the filled out form (but no notary/photo ID necessary) Note, as it says in 'fund', foreign checks are acceptable as long as your name is pre-printed on the check. See 'fund' for more details. Note that no other form of donation can provide the same proof -- company checks don't identify you, credit cards not in your name, etc. -- and will NOT suffice. Else: Sorry, we don't allow Nyx access unless you can do it via one of the above ways. 4. Wait. You will get an email (please list an email address we can contact you at) from us with your username and password. If you would like a copy mailed to you, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Log in and the validation program will explain what to do when your form has been approved. It may take several weeks to receive access, depending on free time of the volunteers, etc. If you haven't heard back after, say, SIX WEEKS from when you started, use 'feedback' (fb/confidential) to ask what's up. You have to log in to find out.) DO NOT give out your e-mail address prior to receiving full access. ---------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT additional notes: Notaries: In the United States, you can find a Notary in many places: most banks offer this service to customers for free, many post offices, most large businesses have employees who are notaries (try the legal department, maybe an accounting department). [By Colorado law, for example, notaries cannot charge more than $2.] In other countries, the procedure may differ; ask at a bank, courthouse, police station, or other legal institution about some form of "guaranteed signature". A U.S. Embassy or similar office should be able to do it. In Canada and possibly other countries a "Commissioner of oaths" or a Justice of the Peace (JP) can do this. In Australia, a JP can do a Statutory Declaration. In the U.K., word has it that a solicitor can do this type of thing; some charge, some do not, and you are advised to call around. [But note, as of 10/93, a user in London is acting as a Nyx validater.] In Italy, allegedly only documents in Italian can be "notarized"; in this case, feel free to translate the document (or ask me for a copy I have), but send both the English and Italian documents (both signed; one notarized). For users from Japan, a certified seal is acceptable. Faxes, e-mail -- Can't do it: Note that a fax will NOT suffice -- you must submit the original notarized form. Another common request is to use an existing internet account to prove who you are -- however, there is no proof that it isn't a stolen account; we used to do this and had to give it up because of this. I.e., you canNOT e-mail or fax your form. Photo ID: For a photo ID, most any government issued ID will suffice that has your picture, signature and your name on it. Driver's license, passport, etc. No ID -- minors, etc.: If you have no ID because you're a minor, then: - Sign the form; - Get your *parent's* NOTARIZED signature below yours (or a donation via parent's pre-printed check, but still have them sign the form too so I know they know, etc.). Your parent's signature (without notary or check) is NOT enough. Multiple accounts: If you wish to have two accounts (one public and one anon9999), just write ANON and REGULAR on your form. If you want just one account, please write the appropriate type on your form. One form per PERSON, though, please: If you want to mail a form for you and a spouse, for example, fill out two forms but do not staple them together (We might miss the 2nd page). What is "revalidation" and the password thing? Simply put, it is a method for you to use in the *future* if you lose your account and want access to Nyx without having to use the form. It is a reasonably secure way to prove, in the future, that you are who you say you are. Then, if you had shell access but lost it (because your account lapsed due to lack of use or whatever), pick the "revalidation" option in the validation menu (val/r). The basic principle is this: You write down on the form a "revalidation password", something *other* than your Nyx login password, something you are absolutely *positive* you will never forget but nobody else is likely to guess. Then when you want revalidation, you will be asked to supply this. Note further that if there is ever a doubt that your account has been broken into, you may be asked on an individual basis to provide this. Do NOT record this "password" ANYWHERE on-line on ANY system EVER. So pick something you know you won't forget (but unguessable)! This "password" will serve as something only you and the system administrator know, making it important to keep it secure from others. Don't use your Nyx password since that could be cracked by various clever guessing programs -- use something you would never use as a login password. Also, do not tell your revalidation password to anyone except the revalidation program. Don't trust any mail or chat request to provide it, even if it looks like it comes from sysadmin, etc. Mail can be faked, etc. Please note that revalidation does not change your password if you forget it. What if I want to remain anonymous on the net? You get a username like 'anon0001' instead of 'jsmith'. This means that the administrators of Nyx will know who you are, but nobody else will (unless you tell them!). Validation is the same. Indeed, if you want to validate two accounts, a regular ('jsmith') and anonymous one ('anon0001'), just write both on the form. (Note they are treated as a group for problem resolution: If one is used for nasty activity, both get shut off, etc.)