[MAD-SAGE] Code of Ethics

[Jeremy 'Circ' Charles circ@xxxxxxxx]

On first reading of each, it appears that the SAGE Code of Ethics is
merely an elaboration on the International/Unified Code of Ethics (or the
latter simply a summarization of the former, depending on your point of
view).  The only real difference that sticks out at me at first is the
presence of the following in the longer version:

"Where the law is not clear, or appears to be in conflict with their
ethical standards, system administrators must exercise sound judgment, and
are also obliged to take steps to have the law upgraded or corrected as is
possible within their jurisdiction."

This seems to present the presumption that the system administrator's
understanding of a his/her ethical responsibilities is above the
understanding of the law, when the two are in conflict.  I would be more
comfortable with wording such as this:

"Where the law is not clear, system administrators must exercise sound
judgement in applying the law to a situation-at-hand.  When the law
appears to be in conflict with their ethical standards, system
administrators and are obliged to exercise sound judgement in taking steps
to reconcile the conflict through modifications of one or the other."