NETIQUETTE!

*Public Service Announcement*

http://www.albion.com/netiquette/

Rule 3: Know where you are in cyberspace

Netiquette varies from domain to domain

What's perfectly acceptable in one area may be dreadfully rude in another. For example, in most TV discussion groups, passing on idle gossip is perfectly permissible. But throwing around unsubstantiated rumors in a journalists' mailing list will make you very unpopular there.
And because Netiquette is different in different places, it's important to know where you are. Thus the next corollary:

Lurk before you leap

**When you enter a domain of cyberspace that's new to you, take a look around. Spend a while listening to the chat or reading the archives. Get a sense of how the people who are already there act. Then go ahead and participate.**

Rule 4: Respect other people's time and bandwidth

You are not the center of cyberspace

Presumably, this reminder will be superfluous to most readers. But I include it anyway, because when you're working hard on a project and deeply involved in it, it's easy to forget that other people have concerns other than yours. **So don't expect instant responses to all your questions**, and don't assume that all readers will agree with -- or care about -- your passionate arguments.

Rule 5: Make yourself look good online

Take advantage of your anonymity.

I don't want to give the impression that the net is a cold, cruel place full of people who just can't wait to insult each other. As in the world at large, most people who communicate online just want to be liked. Networks -- particularly discussion groups -- let you reach out to people you'd otherwise never meet. And none of them can see you. You won't be judged by the color of your skin, eyes, or hair, your weight, your age, or your clothing.

**You will, however, be judged by the quality of your writing. For most people who choose to communicate online, this is an advantage; if they didn't enjoy using the written word, they wouldn't be there. So spelling and grammar do count. **

If you're spending a lot of time on the net and you're shaky in these areas, it's worth brushing up on them. There are plenty of books available, but you'll learn more -- and possibly have more fun -- if you take a course. If you're an older adult , you don't have to take a "bonehead grammar" course with a bunch of bored teenagers. Instead, look for courses on proofreading and copyediting; they usually cover the basic rules of grammar pretty thoroughly, and they'll be filled with motivated students who are there because they want to be. Check your local community college and university extension catalogs -- you'll be amazed at what they offer. A side benefit is that taking courses involves meeting people you can actually see.

C.

I completely agree. Thank you God for Netiquette.

HAHA

I heart you, C. The one thing I do not agree with:

You are not the center of cyberspace

I beg to differ. I'm pretty sure I am. :3

Quoting GooBear:“ I heart you, C. The one thing I do not agree with: You are not the center of cyberspace I beg to differ. I'm pretty sure I am. :3”

hehehe.

C.

I also have to say something...when THREADS HAVE BEEN DEAD FOR MORE THAN 2 DAYS, LEAVE IT ALOOONE!

Quoting GooBear:“ I also have to say something...when THREADS HAVE BEEN DEAD FOR MORE THAN 2 DAYS, LEAVE IT ALOOONE!”

This is soo true. I second this motion!!  

I'm so glad it advocates lurking! I don't feel like such a loser now! I lurked the whole first month I was on here!

BWAHAHAHA this is great. Almost ALMOST as good as Kristi's comebacks.