I discovered this at the Brookings Institute website

[codger]

[See questions after list]


Ten Commandments Of Computer Ethics

Created by the Computer Ethics Institute
If Duplicated, Please Cite the Computer Ethics Institute

1. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Harm Other People.

2. Thou Shalt Not Interfere With Other Peoples Computer Work.

3. Thou Shalt Not Snoop Around In Other Peoples Computer Files.

4. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Steal.

5. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Bear False Witness.

6. Thou Shalt Not Copy Or Use Proprietary Software For Which You have Not Paid.

7. Thou Shalt Not Use Other Peoples Computer Resources Without Authorization Or Proper Compensation.

8. Thou Shalt Not Appropriate Other Peoples Intellectual Output.

9. Thou Shalt Think About The Social Consequences Of The Program You Are Writing Or The System You Are Designing.

10. Thou Shalt Always Use A Computer In Ways That Insure Consideration And Respect For Your Fellow Humans.



1. Are they still relevant?
2. Any of them need to be modified?
3. Is this something that every IC should openly subscribe to? 4. Would use of this list in correspondence with a (potential) client be a good thing?
5. Too idealistic?

Comments and thoughts welcome.

[TRexx]

7 implies that it's OK to use a computer without authorization as long as you compensate the owner.  How would you feel if a one day you found this note on your windshield: "I just took your car for a joy ride, but don't worry, I filled the tank."  

I'm not sure why we need a separate set of rules for computers.  Most of these rules could apply generally.

[Rastus P Shagnasty]

Back in the "old days" we had a rule like that.  It was "do unto others as you would have them do unto you".  And variations.
 I seem to recall it worked every time it was tried.

[Jeremy Singer]

6, 7, 8, 9 are just elaborations of 4.

They are just using the 10 commandments format to build your respect for it a little more.

[David Cressey]

... and they should have been numbered 1 through F.

and then,  of course there's

0.  This commandment deliberately left blank.