AMPLINEX and the Data Protection Act

Jackie Follett

As computer users, you will have realised that AMPLINEX records are kept on disc. This means that we are subject to the regulations imposed by the Data Protection Act, and in order to continue with this method of record keeping, I must take one of three courses of action:

1) I can obtain the permission of every member to keep his or her records in this way, and provision is made on this issue's release form for this purpose. If, however, anybody objects to this I would have to;

2) Spend £40 of AMPLINEX money to register with the Data Protection Registry, which means I would be able to keep the records even without permission.

3) I could ask for a volunteer to keep hand-written records!

I am sure you will all agree that the first course is the simpler, and hope you will complete the form accordingly.

So you know exactly what it means when you sign, I will give a brief outline of what happens when your disc pops through my letter-box.

Your name and address is entered on to a database, together with the issue number, and whether or not you have made a contribution. I also keep a note of other miscellaneous details: for example, whether or not you have given permission for your name to be given to Music City, or of any special arrangements to remember regarding postage (such as with our overseas members).

Next, the money received is either entered into my Cashbook program, or stored with your disc, depending on whether or not you are receiving a free issue.

Roy takes over at this point, and makes backup copies of any contributions, and enters details of the files on another database.

Roy then makes a backup of his backups and sends it off to Kevin for the editing and producing of AMPLINEX.

Then back to me again, where I copy the new issue of AMPLINEX on to your disc and deal with packing. Finally the discs are posted - monopolizing at least three local post-boxes.

And that's all there is to it!