Use of resources

Computing resources are finite, and busy servers can become overloaded. If a server's primary role is to supply local needs, outside users may have restrictions imposed upon them, which is reasonable considering that the use of free services on a network is not a right but a privilege. Network capacity is also a finite resource though bandwidth overall is constantly being increased. Generally, economical use of network resources helps to promote efficiency all round.

(1) Always comply with requests to limit use. For instance, ftp archive sites may discourage outside use during office hours.

(2) When you are connected to a network host, for instance via telnet or an ftp client, you are tying up resources which are then unavailable to anyone else. Limit your connection sessions to a minimum and logout as soon as possible.

(3) For preference, select a location nearest to you when accessing information which is available from a number of sites. Such good practice helps to ease the pressure on overloaded transoceanic links. Fortunately there is an increasing trend for important services originating in the USA (for example, a number of Web search engines) to be mirrored in Europe and elsewhere.