Netiquette: Guidelines You Should Follow

Netiquette Tutorial 2

• What is Netiquette?

• Rules 1 – 7 and why they are important

• Where can I go to learn more?

Overview

• “Netiquette” is an abbreviation for “Internet etiquette”

• Simply stated, Netiquette is the do’s and don’ts of online communication

What is Netiquette?

• Using all uppercase characters is considered shouting

• Use proper sentence case (i.e. the standard capitalization of an English sentence)

Rule #1: Do not use ALL CAPS

• Use descriptive and specific subject lines

• Include your class and section number

• Focus on one subject per message– If you veer off onto another topic, update the

subject line

• Include a signature block at the end of your message

Rule #2: Complete the Subject Line

• Ensure that your messages

are professional

Are well-written and free of typographical and grammatical errors

convey the correct tone

Rule #3: Ensure that your messages are professional and well-written

• Be aware of the policies related to the computers and communication systems you are using– You more than likely have signed a computer and/or

network usage agreement (“Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)”) at your school or place of employment

• Computers and communication systems made available to you in the academic or business setting are for “business purposes only”– You should not assume you have personal

privacy rights regarding your electronic communications in these settings

Rule #3 – Guideline #1Do not send personal messages

• Stay on topic

• Convey your message effectively and efficiently

Rule #3 – Guideline #2Be concise and clear

• Trendy abbreviations or “Netspeak” are cryptic and only serve to confuse the recipient

• Some conventions to show emotion (e.g. emoticons) are considered acceptable

Rule #3 – Guideline #3Don’t use “Netspeak”

Examples of emoticons:

:-) happy face:) happy face – no nose:-( sad face :( sad face – no nose;-) wink

Examples of “Netspeak”:

TTFN ta-ta for nowPLZ pleaseBTW by the way IMHO in my humble opinionLOL laughing out loud

• Carefully proofread your messages to check them for mistakes

• Use the “spell check” tool

Rule #3 – Guideline #4Make sure your messages are error-free

• Heated messages are called flames

• If you are angry, stressed, or frustrated, you should wait to compose your message so that you do not get into a “flame war”

Rule #3 – Guideline #5Don’t respond when you are angry or frustrated

• Don’t say things in an electronic communication that you would not say in a face-to-face situation

• When you have to resolve a conflict or provide feedback, face-to-face communication may be a better choice

Rule #3 – Guideline #6Don’t say it if you wouldn’t say it face-to-face

• Be careful when using sarcasm and humor – it is often misinterpreted

Rule #3 – Guideline #7Avoid sarcasm and humor

• Ask yourself if a message warrants a response

• If a response is necessary, most times it is good enough to reply to the person who generated the original message

• Reply-to-all only if absolutelynecessary

Rule #4: Avoid replying to a message unless it is purposeful

• SPAM is considered an abuse of electronic messaging systems

• SPAM includes chain e-mails, urban legends, charity requests, e-mails about lost children, advertising, etc.

Rule #5: Do not send SPAM

Ensure the messages you send or post do not fall into the category of SPAM - check their validity at Web sites like http://www.snopes.com/http://www.truthorfiction.com// http://www.breakthechain.org/

• Be frugal with bandwidth

• Know that some people still use slower modems, dial-up connections, and/or older computers

• Tell your recipients if you have included file attachments

Rule #6: Avoid sending large files and attachments

• Share what you know but do check your facts

• Know when formality is necessary and appropriate– Address your professors and fellow students in

the appropriate manner

Rule #7: Know your audience and your content

ReferencesAdams, T., & Scollard, S. (2005). Internet Effectively: A Beginner's Guide to the World Wide Web. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

Netiquette. (n.d.). Retrieved July 6, 2009, from Northern Virginia Community College - Extended Learning Institute: http://eli.nvcc.edu/orientation/netiquette.htm

Netiquette Home Page. (n.d.). Retrieved July 6, 2009, from Netiquette Home Page - A Service of Albion.com: http://www.albion.com/netiquette/

Spam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 6, 2009, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPAM

Taylor, T. (2007). 100% Information Literacy Success. Clifton Park: Thomson Delmar Learning.