Ten Rules of Netiquette

In order to maintain a pleasant on-line experience, it is important to consider the rules of netiquette. The rules of netiquette are simple and involve the close consideration of other people in cyberspace. While netiquette does change depending on what type of communication a person is using (Preece, 2004), there are “core rules of netiquette” that can be followed (Shea, 2006). There are other rules, besides the ten core rules, that should be followed depending on which type of media a person is using; however, these rules are the basic rules that can apply to any medium. There are ten rules to consider:
Rule number one, “Remember the Human (Shea, 2006).” It is important to be sensitive to other people’s thoughts and feelings. The Services Vice President of Photographic Society of America, (PSA) John Dean (2004) recognizes the importance of netiquette, “Remember, too, that the recipient can’t see the sender’s body language, can’t hear the inflections in the sender’s voice, and is negatively affected when the sender has used all capital letters (which in e-mailing means you are yelling, and this is considered not using good email manners).” When in the heat of an online conversation always remember the human on the other side of the text.
· Rule number two, “Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life (Shea, 2006).” In other words, abide by copyright laws and other laws or terms set by websites. Just because police cannot be seen while people are chatting online, does not mean they are not there, in fact there are Internet officers, who “…surf the web for crime 24 hours a day (Sullivan, 1999).”
· Rule number three, “Know where you are in cyberspace (Shea, 2006).” Depending on what site or chat room a person is in may determine what type of behavior is appropriate (Shea, 2006). It is important to familiarize ones self with the web site or chat room before responding and “respect the guidelines of the group (Hambridge, 2006).”
Rule number four, “Respect other people’s time and bandwidth (Shea, 2006).” Try not to send too much information to people and keep in mind every computer has only a certain amount of “information-carrying capacity (Shea, 2006).” Many people have hundreds of emails they must sort through, be kind and send only what is necessary (Conlin, 2002).
· Rule number five, “Make yourself look good online (Shea, 2006).” All people see online is your writing (Shea, 2006). Make sure to spell check and use correct grammar on all posts (Conlin, 2002).
· Rule number six, “Share expert knowledge (Shea 2006).” Other people online are posting what knowledge they know, you should do the same (Shea, 2006).
· Rule number seven, “Help keep flame wars under control (Shea, 2006).” It is bad etiquette to add and increase flame wars, which are a “series of angry letters…that can dominate a discussion group (Shea, 2006). However, it is okay to “express a strongly held opinion (Shea, 2006).”
· Rule number eight, “Respect other people’s privacy (Shea, 2006).” Reading other people’s email is off limits (Shea, 2006). Treat other people how you would want to be treated (Lewis, 2001).
· Rule number nine, “Don’t abuse your power (Shea, 2006).” In certain MUDs, there are characters that have higher levels of power over other characters. It is bad etiquette to “take advantage” of others because of their lack of power (Shea, 2006). Enjoy the game and respect other members of the MUDs, regardless of power.
· Rule number ten, “Be forgiving of other people’s mistakes (Shea, 2006).” Give people a break, if they make mistakes avoid chastising them (Shea, 2006). Just because you abide by the rules of netiquette does not mean everybody else does (Shea, 2006). Some may not even know about netiquette (Shea, 2006). Remembering the rules of netiquette can help everyone in cyberspace have an enjoyable time and can alleviate arguments and hurt feelings.

References

Conlin, Michelle. (2002). Watch What You Put in that Office E-mail. Business Week, 3801, 2p, 1c, pp. 114-115, [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 18, 2006. fromhttp://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/detail?vid=46&hid=101&sid=d1208530-5f2e-4481-b33d-90b66885899a%40sessionmgr104

Dean, John. (2004). On My Mind…Abstract. PSA Journal, 70, 11, p. 4, [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 19, 2006 fromhttp://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=13&hid=117&sid=7f45643d-4dd4-4d9c-a283-813b8c419481%40sessionmgr108

Hambridge, Sally. Abstract Retrieved from:http://www.stanton.dtcc.edu/stanton/cs/rfc1855.html on November 18, 2006.

Hughes, Liz. (2003). e-mail etiquette: think before you send. Women in Business, 55, 4, p29, [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 18, 2006 fromhttp://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=42&hid=101&sid=d1208530-5f2e-4481-b33d-90b66885899a%40sessionmgr104

Lewis, Regina. (2001). The AOL Online Advisor On… Online Etiquette. ON Magazine, 6, 2, p. 9, [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 18, 2006 fromhttp://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/delivery?vid=55&hid=101&sid=d1208530-5f2e-4481-b33d-90b66885899a%40sessionmgr104

Preece, Jenny. (2004). Etiquette Online: From Nice to Necessary. Communications of the ACM, 47, 4, pp. 56-61, [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 14, 2006 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=7&hid=101&sid=d1208530-5f2e-4481-b33d-90b66885899a%40sessionmgr104.

Shea, Virginia. Albion Homepage. Retrieved from: http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html on November 17, 2006.

Sullivan, Scott, J.D. (1999). Policing the Internet. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 68, 6, pp. 18-21, [Electronic Version]. Retrieved on November 18, 2006 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=22&hid=117&sid=7f45643d-4dd4-4d9c-a283-813b8c419481%40sessionmgr108