Although first written in 1990 and originally aimed at users of a text-based message system that was most commonly used with analogue modems and ISDN terminals (forums like this only started becoming popular when always on broadband access arrived) they are still valid today.
One important difference back then was that far less people had access to the Internet; those who did knew a lot more about computers, many of them were linked to the defence/security agencies in one way or or another added to which the messages all were transmitted in plain text had a lot of clues in the top header that could be used to stalk someone to their workplace or home area; especially when search engines became common.
So most folk behaved well only because the whole lot was wide open there was no real expectation of privacy and the knowledge that even in advanced / liberal countries you could be held accountable for what you did online. This is still the case today even if all the headers/code numbers are hidden behind pretty pictures and coloured text…
