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Question: What is Netiquette?

Answer: How you act while on the net or network etiquette.

Netiquette is a set of rules (mainly unwritten) to follow while your on-line. These rules have sort of evolved and exist to make the internet a better place. While these are not carved in stone - you may become un welcomed if you deviate too far from them. Some places on the net have different variations of what is considered acceptable.

Remember that no matter where you are (online or in real life) you are the only one that is accountable for your actions.

• You should never do anything online that you wouldn't do in real life. Being online does not hide your identity or turn you into anything less that you are.

• Remember your audience. These are real people that you are communicating with. If you wouldn't say something to their face - you should not say it over the internet. If you are sending a message to a ListServ remember that there could be lots of people that you have never meet reading your comments.

• Respect your audience. Good discussion should always be welcomed but don't waste other peoples time with idle nonsense.

• If you respond to a ListServ and mean to send a private message to one person - you have wasted a lot of peoples time and possibly shared information that was not intended to be viewed by anyone else.

• Before you participate in a newsgroup discussion - read the FAQ (frequently asked questions).

• Don't use all caps. Using all caps equates to yelling. DON'T DO IT!

• NEVER send unsolicited junk mail. Don't forward junk-mail. Don't forward chain letters. Don't forward the letter from Bill Gates saying that the first 1,000 people to forward this letter will get money. It is not real. If it says "FORWARD" this to everyone you know - DON'T.

• Avoid getting into stupid arguments over stupid stuff. It really doesn't matter if it tastes great or is less filling. It's a waste of bandwidth and internet resources to argue something that has two equally valid arguments. It's an opinion. Say it (if you must) but don't argue about it.

• Always identify yourself. Don't hide your identity on newsgroups, e-mail or chats - or should I say don't hide behind thinking that you are hiding your identity.

• Don't try to gain access to places or resources that you don't have the proper permission.

• Be forgiving - everyone was new at this stuff at one time. Don't argue. If you think something happened that needs further attention - talk to your system administrator.

Answer: Some people will only know you from how you portray yourself over the internet.

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