THERE IS NO WAY TO GET VALIDATED OTHER THAN FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW.

1. Reserve an account:

This is the very first step to getting an account.  To reserve an account, use telnet or ssh to connect to dqc.org.  Log in with the username new and password new.  You will get a short utility which will ask you for a username and password you would like to use for connecting to DQC.   This utility will store your password with blowfish one way encryption.

2. Get the validation form by one of the following methods:

• on the web at http://www.dqc.org/vali/vali.html
• via ftp at ftp.dqc.org as /pub/vali.txt
• send email to staff@dqc.org requesting a validation form
• by postal mail to the address listed a little ways below

3. Submit a "valid" *signed* copy of the agreement form below to DQC;
"valid" means you *must* use one of the following methods:

A. In person:

If you aren't in Bend, Oregon then this option is pretty silly, unless you happen to be visiting the Central Oregon area any time soon.  There are also staff members who will validate folks near Las Vegas and Chicago.  If you need instructions on how to get to either place, mail staff@dqc.org.  

- Print out the validation form and fill it in;  Set up an appointment (if requested) and be prepared to show to show positive identification (driver's license, or other photo ID).

*OR*

B. By postal mail (not e-mail):

- Print out the form and fill it in; - Photocopy a legal, signed, *picture* ID of yourself (preferred: driver's license, passport, etc.); - Then obtain a NOTARIZED SIGNATURE on the form (i.e., you sign it in the presence of a Notary Public, who checks your ID).

SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION on this method, how to obtain a notarized signature, what to do in foreign countries, etc.

Then mail your original notarized form and ID photo to:

Northern Media Corporation
179 NE Isaiah
Suite #2
Bend, OR 97701
USA

*OR*

C. Donation via personal check or VISA/MasterCard:

Since a personal check (with YOUR name PRE-PRINTED on it) or a credit card (in YOUR name) are fairly secure means of positive identification, another method of proof of identity is to make a donation by personal check that has your name pre-printed on it or by a visa/mastercard in your name.

Make the check out to "Northern Media Corporation" and mail the check and form to the same address as above.  Note that all donations will be used solely for the purpose of maintaining and upgrading the DQC public access Unix service.

If you decide you would like to send a donation as a means to acquire validation, then you should send the donation AND the filled out form (but no notary/photo ID necessary)

Foreign checks are acceptable as long as (a) your name is pre-printed on the check and (b) you write the amount in your local currency..

Note that no other form of donation can provide the same proof -- company checks don't identify you, credit cards not in your name, etc. -- and will NOT suffice.

Else: Sorry, we don't allow DQC access unless you can do it via one of the above ways.

4. Wait!

You will log in and find yourself in a validation program explaining what to do when your form has been approved. It may take several weeks to receive access, depending on free time of the volunteers, etc. If you haven't heard back after, say, TWO WEEKS from when you started, email us to ask what's up. (Note: We do NOT send out messages informing you that you have been validated. You have to log in to find out.) DO NOT give out your DQC e-mail address prior to receiving full access.

IMPORTANT additional notes:

Notaries:

In the United States, you can find a Notary in many places: most banks offer this service to customers for free, many post offices, most large businesses have employees who are notaries (try the legal department, maybe an accounting department). [By Colorado law, for example, notaries cannot charge more than $2.]

In other countries, the procedure may differ; ask at a bank, courthouse, police station, or other legal institution about some form of "guaranteed signature". A U.S. Embassy or similar office should be able to do it.

In Canada and possibly other countries a "Commissioner of oaths" or a Justice of the Peace (JP) can do this.

In Australia, a JP can do a Statutory Declaration.

In the U.K., word has it that a solicitor can do this type of thing; some charge, some do not, and you are advised to call around.

In Italy, allegedly only documents in Italian can be "notarized"; in this case, feel free to translate the document (or ask staff@dqc.org for a copy), but send both the English and Italian documents (both signed; one notarized).

For users from Japan, a certified seal is acceptable.

Faxes, e-mail -- Can't do it:

Note that a fax will NOT suffice -- you must submit the original notarized form. Another common request is to use an existing internet account to prove who you are -- however, there is no proof that it isn't a stolen account;  I.e., you canNOT e-mail or fax your form.

Photo ID:

For a photo ID, most any government issued ID will suffice that has your picture, signature and your name on it. Driver's license, passport, etc.

No ID -- minors, etc.

If you have no ID because you're a minor, then: - Sign the form; - Get your *parent's* NOTARIZED signature below yours (or a donation via parent's pre-printed check, but still have them sign the form too so I know they know, etc.). Your parent's signature (without notary or check) is NOT enough.

Multiple accounts:

If you have two accounts, just write both usernames in the username field of the form.

One form per PERSON, though, please...

What is "revalidation" and the password thing?

Simply put, it is a method for you to use in the *future* if you lose your account and want access to DQC without having to use the form. It is a reasonably secure way to prove, in the future, that you are who you say you are.

Then, if you had shell access but lost it (because your account lapsed due to lack of use or whatever), send email, postal mail, or visit... No matter what you do, you need to ask for "revalidation" and give your "revalidation password".

The basic principle is this: You write down on the form a "revalidation password", something *other* than your DQC login password, something you are absolutely *positive* you will never forget but nobody else is likely to guess. Then when you want revalidation, you will be asked to supply this.

Note further that if there is ever a doubt that your account has been broken into, you may be asked on an individual basis to provide this. Do NOT record this "password" ANYWHERE on-line on ANY system EVER. So pick something you know you won't forget (but unguessable)! This "password" will serve as something only you and the system administrator know, making it important to keep it secure from others. Don't use your DQC password since that could be cracked by various clever guessing programs -- use something you would never use as a login password.

Also, do not tell your revalidation password to anyone except the revalidation program. Don't trust any mail or chat request to provide it, even if it looks like it comes from sysadmin, etc. Mail can be faked, etc.

Please note that revalidation does not change your password if you forget it. In that case you will have to create a new DQC account and revalidation just allows you access to the new DQC account without all the paperwork.

What if I want to remain anonymous on the net? (DQC privacy statement)

With DQC, you can have more or less any username you want, root and other existing names excluded.  All information submitted for validation to DQC will be kept strictly confidential, we will not give your name or personal information away to anyone for any reason.  At the discretion of the operations staff, your personal information may be given to law enforcement if there is evidence of illegal activity involving any system or network operated in part or in whole by Dream Quest Communications.