The Network exists only as connections. As junctions between entities or nodes. As points of exchange.

The power of The Network has become apparent to smart people throughout the world in many contexts. Making clever or ruthless use of The Network has resulted in some of the most financially successful businesses in human history. Compassionate, ethical and whimsical use of The Network results in tight-knit, constructive communities. In combination with technology, use of The Network has resulted in the largest compendium of knowledge ever assembled, the Internet. The aggregate of networked software developers have created a vast treasure trove of software which further amplifies the collaborative network which created it, resulting in some interest feedback loops.

Participation in any network requires only one thing: compliance with its standards. In wired networks, it means speaking the TCP/IP protocol, on the Web, it means understanding HTTP and being able to interpret HTML.

In a physical community, the standards are somewhat fuzzier, but no less binding, and compliance with the principles and spirit of a community is paramount for success within it. The Christchurch computing/IT community supports a number of networks, both technical and informal. Some have very simple standards: $50 per year and an email account. The standards employed by others are less transparent, making them less inviting. The purpose of this document is to open the standards of our growing network for all to see, and to invite you to join us and share the benefit of our Network.

The Effusion Group

We at the Effusion Group have realised that, somewhat unexpectedly, we have fostered the creation of a network which is returning significant value to its participants.

The Effusion Group is made up of a group of small companies, ranging from 1-7 people, who joined forces in March 2002 to create an umbrella company - originally to hold a combined lease, own infrastructure, and act as a broker for our combined technological and business expertise. Members of the original Effusion Group shared the following principles:

• Don't reinvent the wheel
• Don't be afraid to innovate
• Keep it simple
• One line of good code is worth a thousand ideas
• Build on the brilliance of others (giving credit where it's due!)
• Don't compete if you can collaborate profitably
• Openness is generally a good thing, confidentiality is generally an inhibitor
• Conform to Open Standards (e.g. as defined by the W3C in regard to World Wide Web publication)
• Collaborate with adept, passionate people
• Profit by providing value, return on investment
• Give back to the community
• Be worthy of trust

The final point is vital in our Network (and networks in general) - its currency is good faith. Contrary to what a lot of business people say, all is not fair in war and business. The only sustainable technology business is an ethical business that builds robust relationships with its clients.

Needless to say, the Effusion Group Community has a strong leaning towards open source computing technologies and uses them in strong preference to closed source technologies whereever it makes sense to do so.

The above principles have become implicit in our day to day dealings, and have been instrumental in keeping our core intact and vibrant, and the ethos they create has attracted further members to our network, increasing its value to all of us.

Having grown unconsciously and organically since its initiation in 2002, we are now starting to recognise the power inherent the Network we have accidently created. Now that it has achieved critical mass, we would like to see if we can accelerate its growth without compromising its quality. To that end, we have decided to define three forms of association with the Effusion Group Community and extend to you the offer to participate.

The three forms, each defined as progressively more formalised standards, are as follows:

Effusion Network

Individuals and businesses who share our principles as described above, regardless of their geographical location, who request to join our network.

Value proposition

1. access to specialised expertise (technical, business, social)
2. security related alerts
3. informal discussion on and reviews of rapidly changing technologies
4. referrals to/from clients - part of internal referral network
5. access to requests for tenders (Government ICT, etc.)
6. access to possible highly skilled job seekers
7. discounted access to Effusion Group "hotdesk" environment
8. access to informal group social and technical functions, e.g. bbqs, technical presentation series, etc.

Effusion Cluster

Individuals and businesses who routinely share our physical space, be that as tenants in parts of Kenton Chambers where the Effusion Group maintains physical infrastructure, or as frequent transient visitors availing themselves of our "transient knowledge worker" facilities.

Value proposition

1. all of the benefits of being a member of the Effusion Group Network plus:
2. shared physical security infrastructure
3. shared virtual security infrastructure (firewalls, network surveillance, etc.)
4. access to our shared computing infrastructure (Internet, cabling, wireless, internal network resources)
5. frequent informal interaction with other Cluster members

Effusion Core

Individuals who are shareholders and/or directors of the Effusion Group Ltd. These individuals are charged with the task of fostering the development of the Effusion Group Community as a whole, defining its core principles, embodying them, and have the ultimate responsibility of ensuring the overall quality of the Network.

Value proposition

1. the ability to earn respect from their peers within the Effusion Group Community through their intelligent contribution to the Community and its direction
2. the ability to decide how the Effusion Group Ltd. will reinvest any profits it makes to add value to the Community and participation in its Network

Please note, that for it to retain its value, the Effusion Group Network must maintain its quality. To that end, the Effusion Group membership is contingent upon each member's adherence to our shared principles. In the case that a member is deemed not to embody and promote that ethos, they will be asked to leave, with final authority in such matters resting with the Effusion Group Core. Decisions of this sort will not be made lightly.