Netiquettes

"Netiquette" is network etiquette, the do's and don'ts of online communication. Netiquette covers both common courtesy online and the informal "rules of the road" of cyberspace.

Netiquette examples:

• Identify yourself: Begin messages with a salutation and end them with your name. Use a signature (a footer with your identifying information) at the end of a message

• Include a subject line. Give a descriptive phrase in the subject line of the message header that tells the topic of the message (not just "Hi, there!").

• Avoid sarcasm. People who don't know you may misinterpret its meaning.

• Respect others' privacy. Do not quote or forward personal email without the original author's permission.

• Acknowledge and return messages promptly

• Copy with caution. Don't copy everyone you know on each message.

• No spam (a.k.a. junk mail). Don't contribute to worthless information on the Internet by sending or responding to mass postings of chain letters, rumors, etc.

• Be concise. Keep messages concise—about one screen, as a rule of thumb.

• Use appropriate language: Avoid coarse, rough, or rude language. Observe good grammar and spelling.

• Use appropriate emoticons (emotion icons) to help convey meaning. Use "smiley's" or punctuation such as :-) to convey emotions.