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