I. Reliance on information provided from this website and linked sites.
Information available from the Internet varies in quality. Whilst attempts have been made to provide links only to sites which appear to be authoritative and reliable, it would be impossible to ensure that all linked sites meet - and continue to meet - these criteria.
As a service to members of the brass and concert bands in Australia, this site offers access to a variety of Internet resources which may be of use to them. The Internet is growing at such a fast rate that it is impossible to ensure that all links are current, or that the links provided from this site are comprehensive.
No warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of information contained on this site or linked sites, and no responsibility is accepted for the consequences of any person's reliance on such information.
II. Computer Viruses.
People using the Internet should be aware that it is possible for their computers to be infected with malicious programmes and codes (commonly known as "viruses") as a result of downloading a programme, receiving an email, and other on-line activities. These viruses can destroy data stored on the affected computer, cause the computer to malfunction, and result in other forms of damage.
The risks can be reduced, but not entirely eliminated, by using a reputable virus protection programme, and by ensuring that the programme remains up-to-date.
Whilst attempts have been made to ensure that viruses cannot be contracted from this website or linked sites, and whilst it is believed that the risks involved are negligible, the possibility cannot be entirely excluded.
No warranty is given that this
website or linked sites are free of computer viruses, and no responsibility
is accepted for the consequences if any person's computer is infected with
a virus or other malicious computer programme or code, as a result of using this website or linked sites.
III. Pornography and Other Objectionable Material.
People using the Internet should be aware that many sites on the Internet contain pornographic and other offensive material.
The risks of inadvertently accessing such a site can be reduced, but not entirely eliminated, by using a reputable programme which prevents or restricts access to pornographic and other offensive sites.
Whilst attempts have been made to ensure that linked sites do not contain pornographic or other offensive material (save where a clear warning is given to this effect), the possibility cannot be entirely excluded.
The operators of some pornographic sites - along with other sites containing unwanted commercial material, such as on-line gaming sites - have been known to engage in the practice of "domain squatting", which involves the acquisition of a discontinued Internet domain, and using it to redirect Internet traffic to their own website. This can occur without warning, and can lead to embarrassment.
No warranty is given that linked sites are free of pornographic or other offensive material, and no responsibility is accepted in respect of such matters.
IV. "Spam"
People using the Internet should be aware that, as a result of using on-line services, it is possible to become the recipient of unsolicited email messages and other advertising material (commonly known as "spam"), including material promoting pornographic and other offensive materials and services.
This risk can be reduced, but not entirely eliminated, by ensuring that your email address is not disclosed:
- In any public
forum (such as a "bulletin board" or Usenet newsgroup); or
- To any person
or organization which is not known to be reputable; or
- To, or in connection with, any website which does not display a comprehensive privacy policy.
Whilst attempts have been made to ensure that linked sites are not involved in the dissemination of "spam", this possibility cannot be entirely excluded.
No warranty is given that use
of linked sites will not result in the receipt of unsolicited email messages
and other advertising material, and no responsibility is accepted in respect
of such matters.
V. Downloading of Computer Software
Downloadable software come in three kinds:
- Freeware, which is entirely free of charge;
- Shareware, for which a fee is payable after a specified trial period; and
- Commercial software, which must be paid for.
Traditionally, "shareware" has worked on an honesty system: if you like the software, and continue to use it after the trial period has expired, you are expected to pay for it. Of course, many people don't. So, nowadays, trial versions of software often come with an in-built monitor, which determines when the trial period has expired. Sometimes, this results in nothing more than a pesky reminder which pops up on your screen whenever you use the programme - this is known as "nagware". More commonly, however, shareware programmes are being designed to cease functioning when the trial period has expired. A discussion of the copyright and other legal ramifications of using "shareware" may be found in the judgment of Heerey J. in Trumpet Software Pty Ltd & Anor v OzEmail Pty Ltd & Ors, [1996] 560 FCA 1, available on-line through AustLII.
Warning. The
easiest way to contract a computer virus is by downloading and installing
software. Whilst absolute protection can never be guaranteed, the risk
of contracting a computer virus is minimized by:
(a) only downloading
software from reputable sites; and
(b) using an up-to-date
virus protection programme.
VI. Downloading
of Typographic Fonts.
A large range of typographic fonts can be downloaded from Internet sites. Depending on the operating system for your computer, these can be used for word-processing documents, to create a special effect, or to give your printed work a personal flavour. The following points should, however, be noted:
- Not all fonts are
compatible with all operating systems. Windows can use either "TrueType"
(TT) fonts or "PostScript" fonts. Other operating systems may only be able
to use one or the other. Check, before trying to use any downloaded font.
- There is a limit
to the number of fonts which you can install on Windows. If you reach the
limit (which depends on the operating system you are using), try uninstalling
some of the fonts which you never use - like the Japanese, Arabic, Greek
and Russian fonts which come pre-packed in your Windows programme.
- Although the risks
of contracting a computer virus from downloading fonts are much less than
with downloading software programmes, take the following precautions to minimize the risk of any catastrophes: - only download software (including typographic fonts) from reputable sites; and
- use an up-to-date virus protection programme.
- Email
and other Internet communications are
not secure from interception.
Whilst the risk of malicious interception
is remote, it is a possibility. The
risk can be largely excluded by utilising
an encryption programme like "Pretty
Good Privacy" ("PGP"),
available as freeware from The International PGP Home Page.
- Documents
and images which have been stored on
your computer's hard drive may be recoverable,
even though they have been deleted.
The risk can be largely excluded by
utilising a programme to eliminate all
residual traces of such a document or
image. One good programme is "Eraser",
available as freeware from the website
of the programme's developer, Sami Tolvanen, a graduate student from Finland,
here.
VII. Privacy and Security
People using the Internet should be aware of potential privacy and security implications, including the following:
VIII. "Cookies"
Many websites utilise small computer scripts, lodged on the visitor's computer, to record information relevant to the visitor's use of the site. These scripts are known as "cookies".
The majority of cookies serve a useful purpose, and are largely or entirely benign. For example, many Internet shopping sites use cookies to create a "shopping cart" listing the items which the visitor has chosen for purchase. Such cookies may perform other functions, which the visitor may or may not find useful - e.g., to offer suggestions for additional items which the visitor might like to purchase. Internet banking sites could not function without the use of cookies; nor could on-line auction sites; nor could "chat rooms".
However, cookies may also be used for less attractive purposes - to redirect your computer's browser to another site; to send personal information to the host site (e.g. your name, address and email address); even to monitor the websites which you visit, and report this information back to the host site. The most intrusive forms of cookies are known as "spyware".
One solution to this problem is to change the settings on your computer's browser so as to exclude all cookies. But this prevents your fully utilising sites which employ cookies for legitimate purposes - such as Internet banking, shopping, auction and "chat room" sites.
Some browsers allow you to exercise a degree of control in deciding which cookies are permitted, and which are not. This solution also has its problems - problems such as "false positives" (identifying a cookie as undesirable, when it is not) and "false negatives" (failing to identify a cookie as undesirable, when it is). Depending on the settings which you select, you may also find that your browser regularly asks you choose whether or not to accept a particular cookie, but without providing you with the information necessary to make an informed choice.
A
better solution is to use software to monitor
your computer, and periodically delete any
cookies or other scripts which are identified
as "spyware" or otherwise undesirable.
One such programme is "Pest Patrol",
available as freeware here.
IX. On-Line Shopping
Internet shopping offers many advantages - the convenience of being able to shop from your home or office computer; a larger range of products that might be available locally; the opportunity to find the cheapest price from a range of suppliers; and the possibility of purchasing a product from an overseas supplier which is not available in Australia (or which is available only at a much higher price). These advantages are available in the form of both on-line shops and on-line auctions. Some recommended shopping sites are listed on Lex Scripta: go to Other Useful Links and select "shopping".
There are, however, some risks involved with on-line shopping:
- There
is, first, the risk of being defrauded
- either through non-supply of goods
which you have paid for, or through
goods not being of the same standard
or quality as you expected. These
risks can be minimised by dealing
only with reputable firms, and especially
firms which have a "bricks
and mortar" establishment as
well as a "virtual" establishment.
Alternatively, some on-line auction
sites have an "escrow"
facility, whereby you can pay money
to the site, pending confirmation
that goods have been received, and
your funds are only released once
such confirmation is given.
- Secondly,
there are security risks, especially
if you make payment on-line using
a credit card or electronic funds
transfer. You should be especially
careful when transmitting credit
card details. A secure website is
distinguished by a URL commencing
with the letters "https://"
(rather than the usual "http://")
- such sites are regarded as fairly
safe. Otherwise, it is preferable
to send credit card details by fax
rather than email, or to send two
separate emails with some of the
digits contained in the first email
and the remainder in a separate
email. Another option is to use
an on-line payment service, such
as PayPal,
which offers particular security
features.
- Thirdly,
you should be alert to the possibility
that electronic products bought
from overseas may not work in Australia.
Different countries have different
mains current electricity voltages
- for example, 240 volts is Australia,
as compared with 110 volts in
the United States - and different
plug configurations. VHS tapes purchased
from overseas will not work in Australia,
unless they have been recorded using
the "PAL" system. DVDs
bought from overseas will not work
in Australia, unless they are configured
to "Region 4", or unless
your DVD player is configured to
play DVDs from all zones/regions.
X. Copyright Notice.
The compilation of information and custom graphics contained on this website are copyright.
Material from this site may not be re produced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the NBCA, with the exception of webmasters of other websites who are welcome to link to the NBCA Website, and to use custom graphics for that purpose.
Be advised that any instances
of breach of copyright will result in action for breach of copyright,
INCLUDING (WHERE AVAILABLE) CLAIMS
FOR EXEMPLARY, AGGRAVATED OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES.
