So I got this little tidbit of info from an unnamed USAF officer who thought I would get a kick out of it. I admit, my first reaction was “Please, don’t they have anything better to do…”.
But then I thought about it for a while and it dawned on me, that this very thing prevents all the recipients of these “slogans, quotes, special backgrounds, special stationeries, digital images, unusual fonts, etc.” from saying, “Please, don’t they have anything better to do…” every stinkin’ time they see a winking smiley face or a spinning flower or some other inane crap.
Anyway, I wish the USAF would legislate this rule to all the US email providers. Enjoy…
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- —–Original Message—–
From: [DELETED]—–Original Message—–
From: [DELETED]—–Original Message—–
From: [DELETED]All: There’s been a recent change regarding e-mail usage with the release of the new AFI 33-119, Oct 04, that now states in para 3.7.: “Users will not add slogans, quotes, special backgrounds, special stationeries, digital images, unusual fonts, etc., routinely to their official or individual electronic messages. Users must consider professional image and conservation of Air Force network resources (bandwidth).” Please ensure your e-mail format conforms to the new guidance; a recent AETC news release (below) explains the rationale behind this, and clarifies the guidance a little more. Thank you! — [DELETED]
—–Original Message—–
From: [DELETED]
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 11:24 AM
Subject: AETC News Service for Nov. 24, 2004AETCNS 112404331: Air Force prohibits e-mail extras http://www.aetc.randolph.af.mil/pa/aetcns/Nov2004/112404331.htm
AETCNS 112404331
Nov. 24, 2004Air Force prohibits e-mail extras
By [DELETED]
12th Flying Training Wing Public AffairsRANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AETCNS) — People who like to include fancy signature blocks, thoughtful quotations, colorful backgrounds or cute clip art in the e-mails they send should stop doing so immediately, according to Air Force officials.
In the new Air Force instruction that governs electronic messaging, such extras are prohibited as they may not present a professional image and can take up too much bandwidth, thereby clogging up and slowing down the e-mail system, said [DELETED], [DELETED] for [DELETED] at the [DELETED] [DELETED] [DELETED] here.
The revision of AFI 33-119, Air Force Messaging, released Oct. 27, states in paragraph 3.7, “Users will not add slogans, quotes, special backgrounds, special stationeries, digital images, unusual fonts, etc., routinely to their official or individual electronic messages. Users must consider professional image and conservation of Air Force network resources (bandwidth).”
With more than 11,000 customers using network services at Randolph alone, [DELETED] said the amount of electronic message traffic is “astronomical” here, and users must follow standards.
“Part of the rationale for revising the AFI was electronic messaging started to detract from the Air Force mission,” [DELETED] said. “The new AFI provides guidelines designed to keep messages as professional and uniform as possible.”
Following the guidance in the regulations that govern communications, the standard for message text and signature blocks is 10- or 12-point font. Also, all official electronic messaging will include “//SIGNED//” in upper case before the signature block to signify it contains official Air Force information, according to AFI 33-119.
The guidance provided in the revised AFI serves as a reminder to users about where they work, [DELETED] said.
“Most people spend a lot of time on their computers at work, and many have started to use the system as if it were their home system,” [DELETED] said. “We all need to remember we are on government computer systems and must use our computers appropriately.”
My favorite line of this censored version is:
“said [DELETED], [DELETED] for [DELETED] at the [DELETED] [DELETED] [DELETED] here.” lol
Anyway, if you click the URL, you can see most of the censored material.
-Chris
The Heacocks 