Space on Nyx is not inexhaustible (what else is new).  This file details
what is considered acceptable and unacceptable usage of disk space.  It
also explains what will happen to your files if you don't follow these
guidelines!  

As stated in your "welcome" mail message, 2MB is the recommended
limit.  This should be fine for keeping the small amount of
configuration files that are typically needed.

Your personal dir is for convenience only.  It is NOT meant for you to
keep all your worldly files.  Nyx is not your personal closet to store
unneeded files.  

Nyx does have "temporary" file space -- make yourself a directory in
/nyx/temp1 by running /nyx/bin/mktemp.  An easy way to make and use this
directory is to use the 'ct' and 't' options in the 'u'nix file menu.  The
first creates it (do only once) and 't' moves you to that directory (do
before ftp'ing, etc.). 

[Note: do NOT use /tmp, /usr/tmp, or /nyx/tmp -- User files in there are
subject to INSTANT removal (indeed, there is an hourly job that removes
files from there).  These directories are only to be used by programs
like editors, mailers, etc. for their own short-lived temporary files.]

Your temporary dir (that you create with the 'mktemp' program) is where
you should put large files, such as files you've ftp'd but haven't
downloaded yet (just cd there before starting ftp).  Users working on projects
for Nyx itself (installing new software) can get a dir in /nyx/projects
by asking for one.  

As the name suggests, temporary space is for *temporary* material, not
items you want to keep forever.  Files in the temp dir are wiped out
automatically after a certain number of days.

Note that you can find out how much space you use via the 'du' and 'du2'
options in the status menu ('du' and 'du -a' commands from the shell).
A periodic list of 'pigs' may also be posted.  You'll probably get nasty
mail if you show up on this list.

Mail.  

Read your mail immediately, or at least save it off the mail spool to your
own directory.  Do NOT send large amounts of data by mail (either sending
or receiving).  Do not use mail as a replacement for 'ftp'.  Do not join
mailing list if you aren't going to read it daily.  

Mail is subject to removal -- and note this is NEW mail, not old i.e.,
"saved" mail (which comes under the heading of home directory).  If you
join a mailing list, post a note to nyx.misc asking if others are also on
it; if a few people get it, I'll make a newsgroup for it and each reader
can drop off the list (so Nyx gets one copy instead of N).

With all that in mind, here is The Policy:

    Home directories:

	If you exceed 2MB in your home directory, all your files (ALL of them)
	will be wiped out.  This policy has become necessary since users
	ignored the voluntary restrictions previously imposed, and continually
	filled up the disk.  When the disk fills up it locks up everyone's
	directory.

	When space gets tight, as it inevitably does, users with the
	largest amount of space will get the deleted until we have
	enough space left.

    Temporary directories:

	Users working on projects can get a directory in /nyx/projects;
	tell us which project and we'll make the directory.

	Files in /tmp, /usr/tmp, /var/tmp, /nyx/tmp are subject to instant
	removal; in practice, files are removed by a job every 4 hours and
	directories are removed hourly.  Don't use them for your own files,
	period.

    Incoming mail ("mail spool") file:

	Any mail file that is over 2Mb may be deleted and replaced with a mail 
	message containing the list of users the mail was from (generated
	automatically via the Unix 'from' command).  Your mail will not be
	saved anywhere else.

General guidelines to keep your usage down:

	-  To see where your space usage is, use 'du' or 'du2' options
	   from the info menu (from shell: du, du -a).  If .newsrc is large,
	   remove groups you don't read (run 'trimnewsrc', also on news menu).

	-  Use the 'u'nix menu's  'ct'  and  't'  option -- your temp dir.
	   (/nyx/bin/mktemp program from the shell.)

	-  Remember to remove files after you download them.

	-  Remove files you don't need (download them, for example).

	-  If you have programs you use on Nyx, have them installed
	   where everyone can use them (talk to the admins, admin@nyx.net,
	   about it). Then remove your copy.

	-  For mail:
		- Don't subscribe to mailing lists you can't keep up with
		- Cancel subscriptions if you're going away
		- Don't send files by mail (ftp them)
		- Read then delete your mail
		- Forward your mail to another site (make a file named
		".forward" containing your other address and TEST it!).

Web Space

	- Each account may use up to 20MB in a web directory on Arachne.
	- All files on the web directories must be world-readable.
	- Do not use your webspace to store other files or programs not
	intended for access through the Web.

(updated 2003.01.12)