Netiquette: Online Guidelines

Some suggestions for more effective online communications:

1. Be brief.
   
   
2. Treat e-mail as private correspondence.
   
   
3. Don't overload or intrude into others' private space (sending long questionnaires without asking, or "dumping" articles the recipient hasn't asked for). Let them know if it's urgent.
   
   
4. Respond rapidly, but when you've had time to consider your response.
   
   
5. Don't worry about typos or misspellings. Meaning is more important.
   
   
6. Don't assume the person knows what you're referring to. Instead of giving a one-word answer, repeat the question.
   
   
7. Beware of sarcastic humor which can easily be misinterpreted. When in doubt, indicate your intent with a <grin> or :-) (a sideways smile).
   
   

— Sources: Peter and Trudy Johnson-Lenz, Awakening Technology; "Digital Etiquette" by Nicholas Negroponte, Wired Magazine, Nov. 1994; Netiquette by Virginia Shea