R. Craig Collins >Common > How To: Netiquette
How To: Netiquette and Smileys © R. Craig Collins, 2005
Netiquette is about not what you can do, but what you should do. The Core Rules
of Netiquette were written by Virginia Shea, and discuss how you, as an Internet
User, suddenly have a lot of power... and why you shouldn't let it go to your
head!
Below are the 10 rules Virginia Shea developed, and my quick take on them. If
you would like to read what she said, click here.
Rule 1: Remember the Human (you aren't dealing with machines, you are dealing
with people who put information on machines; just because you can't see them
doesn't mean they don't exist. All other rules relate to this one. Remember
this Mantra: Treat others as you wish to be treated)
Rule 2: Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real
life (Don't hide behind the anonymity of a made up username, and forget everything
you mother taught you! Behave on line as you would in the non-virtual world.
Treat others as you wish to be treated)
Rule 3: Know where you are in cyberspace (It is illegal for people in Saudi
Arabia to have pictures of bikini models... so don't email one there. You have
to contend with import/export and local laws, as well as laws of places you
visit electronically)
Rule 4: Respect other people's time and bandwidth (Every file you get uses someone's
computer power, and takes up bandwidth, which they may have to pay for. Or listening
to Internet radio instead of real radio could tie up bandwidth your company
needs for e-mail. Just be aware of the implications. Treat others as you wish
to be treated)
Rule 5: Make yourself look good online (Electronic communication
lacks the nuances of body language and inflection, be sure of what you are communicating...
look for double meanings, and use spell check!) More on this topic below...
Rule 6: Share expert knowledge (What makes the system work is the idea of 'you
rub my back, I'll rub yours.' Treat others as you wish to be treated)
Rule 7: Help keep flame wars under control (If someone is an idiot, they deserve
to know. Once. Don't swamp their mailbox with insults every day for the rest
of your life. Treat others as you wish to be treated)
Rule 8: Respect other people's privacy (If you don't want folks looking in your
medicine cabinet, return the favor. Treat others as you wish to be treated)
Rule 9: Don't abuse your power (You could look through other folks files, you
could tie up their server, you could ruin their mail box... don't. Treat others
as you wish to be treated)
Rule 10: Be forgiving of other people's mistakes (You will make mistakes. How
do you want to find out about it? A flame, or a friendly hint? Treat others
as you wish to be treated)
BFT or ttfn, bye or tata for now BRB, be right back BTW, by the way CWOT, complete waste of time DIY, do it yourself RTM, read the manualA more detailed list is at http://www.sharpened.net/glossary/acronyms.php