Netiquette

Okay, so the Internet police won’t come and get you and the bush people aren’t peeking in your windows with binoculars, but there are some great rules for Internet etiquette, known as netiquette, which will make your online experience more enjoyable:

1. When typing, never write in all capital letters. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE SHOUTING! People don’t like it when you shout at them in person. And they sure don’t like it when you shout at them on the net!

2. Don’t plagiarise. Someone spent a long time coming up with their content. When you borrow something from someone, give them the credit. Cite their name or their website.

3. Don’t steal those photographs off the web even if they are a perfect fit for what you need. Chances are they are copyrighted and someone spent a long time putting that together. Get permission and give credit where credit is due

4. Watch your language. No potty mouths.

5. Be patient with Internet newbies. Know that they are just learning as you did once upon a time.

6. No spamming. Remember that spam is unwanted electronic messages or sending the same electronic message over and over. This can get you in a lot of trouble on some sites, and as a general rule, it just irritates everyone else.

7. If you are using a header (such as in an email), make sure your content pertains to the header. You must admit it would stink if the header said something about football, for example, and the email was really about your newest business idea. Just stay on topic, and the problem is solved.

8. Avoid overuse of emoticons, you know, those cute little smiley faces. They lose their cuteness when overused and tend to irritate people.

Following these simple guidelines will keep your Internet connections happy and allow for more social interactions. Just like in face to face dealings, Internet users love other users with manners. Manners go a long way in saying who you are and what you are.