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About the Artifex

The Artifex
an internet non-profit organization

About the Artifex

The Artifex is an online community dedicated to free speech, the appreciation of literature and art, human progress, scientific and technological advancement, ethical behaviour, greater understanding of the universe and the construction of information systems to service the aforementioned goals. It's also the virtual home for a number of Artifexians and a testing ground for new projects and ideas. As such, the we are happy to provide email accounts, web space, secondary nameservice and other services for people and projects who share our goals.
--the Artifex website, 1999

The Artifex is an ongoing attempt at a permanent, free internet community. It has about 40 active users, most but not all of whom know a few other users on the system. It has been running since January, 1998.

To get an account, contact one of us three sysadmins (Ben Eloy, Jack Lange, or Hunter Blanks) and ask for one. It helps to know one of us, or to know someone who does--but it isn't necessary. We haven't charged any fees and don't plan to. (We may start asking for donations, but only if we get any expenses.) Once you have your account, you're entitled to the same services offered to every user--see Services for details. Accounts are hopefully permanent--ie, we try to keep an account open for as long as the system runs, and for as long as the user doesn't do anything harmful.

Lastly, the Artifex became a registered non-profit organization in 2000 under the name Artifex.org. This doesn't mean much right now, but it should help the Artifex develop into a more permanent, self-perpetuating community. As time goes on, Artifex.org will get 501(c)3 status and own its own equipment. For more information about the organization, see the Library documents, Homepage for Artifex.org the Organization, and Artifex.org Directors, Officers, and Members.

[the slashed box logo has no particular meaning. It was drawn in ignorance of the Chinese chu character, though it does share a vague similarity.]