| Over the years, the beauty of the Internet | | | | forwarding virus warnings (which are |
| has opened many different doors pertaining to | | | | sometimes hoaxes), replying to all recipients |
| socializing, networking, and the overall art | | | | of a collectively sent email, and sending |
| of communication. Today, computer users of | | | | unnecessarily large attachments. There are |
| all ages are exploring the possibilities | | | | also plenty of "netiquette" issues to |
| associated with chat rooms, discussion | | | | recognize when communicating with others in |
| boards, forums, and online personals. Sending | | | | online communities (chat rooms and forums). |
| emails, instant messaging family and friends, | | | | One of the first things to do when joining a |
| and relaying text messages across the World | | | | chat room, forum, or other online group is |
| Wide Web are also popular forms of contact. | | | | familiarize oneself with the rules or |
| Despite the fact that users are unseen behind | | | | guidelines of the service. This practice |
| the guise of their computer, there is still a | | | | comes in rather handy and helps one avoid any |
| written and unwritten code of conduct that | | | | future online confrontations or |
| exists about the Internet. Even in the world | | | | misunderstandings. At all times, your |
| of online communication, one may offend, | | | | privacy should be protected, as well as other |
| confuse, and irritate the people they send | | | | members of the online community. It is unwise |
| emails to or speak with in a chat room. Just | | | | to use full names in chat room |
| as you participate in face-to-face | | | | correspondences and is rude to ask the full |
| communication, you are often aware of the way | | | | names of those you come in contact with. |
| you move your body, execute hand gestures, or | | | | Staying on topic is also a rule of Internet |
| raise your voice. When contacting others | | | | etiquette. For instance, if you have joined a |
| across the Internet, there are also certain | | | | chat room community regarding model |
| messages conveyed through the way you type | | | | airplanes, it is often inappropriate to start |
| out your thoughts. One of the most irritating | | | | sharing your marital problems with others. |
| online habits involves the use of all-caps | | | | Using offensive language is warned against |
| when typing to others. Not only are long | | | | and is usually punished (suspension or ban). |
| strings of capped words a strain on the eyes | | | | When chatting, it is also suggested to keep |
| to read, but is often viewed as "shouting." | | | | messages short and present information in the |
| When typing emails or chatting with others | | | | most concise manner. Also, a common practice |
| while online, spelling and grammar really | | | | is to use abbreviations, but not everyone is |
| does count in not only making people see your | | | | familiar with the current lingo and this |
| side of things, but also promoting | | | | should be kept in mind - the abbreviation of |
| intelligent and free-flowing conversation. | | | | your words and phrases should be used |
| Usually, glaring spelling mistakes cause a | | | | sparingly. Overall, it is suggested to treat |
| distraction and confusion in correspondences. | | | | communication across the Internet in the same |
| Additionally, just because you attempt to | | | | manner that you like to receive |
| avoid making spelling errors and lapses in | | | | correspondences. Usually, the things that |
| grammar - doesn't mean you have the right to | | | | irritate you are the same actions others |
| criticize others for their poor use of the | | | | dislike as well. |
| English language. It is highly suggested to | | | | |
| ignore the spelling mistakes of others and | | | | Linda Allen is the co-founder of |
| concentrate on the way you communicate while | | | | GirlfriendsCafe, a popular social networking |
| online. Additional email etiquette rules | | | | site for women throughout the United States |
| include the avoidance of sending or | | | | and Canada. |
| forwarding junk mail and Internet hoaxes, | | | | |