General all-purpose rules
E-mail rules
Newsgroup participation
IRC behaviour

Just as in real life society expects us to conform to an etiquette, on the Internet we are guided by `Netiquette' -- and it's just as important.

General all-purpose rules

Some special rules apply to the written communications essential to e-mail, IRC and newsgroups:

• Avoid typing in UPPERCASE. On the Internet it is used to signify shouting or STRONG opinions. If you simply want to emphasise something you are saying try using underscores, such as `that is _not_ what I meant', or asterisks, like `that is *not* what I meant'. You can generally get away with using uppercase for one word where strong emphasis is needed (`that is NOT what I meant') but never type a full sentence in capitals!
• Don't ever be rash in what you type. Think before you send that angry e-mail or fire a salvo back at someone, even on IRC. Remember that once you hit that Enter key you cannot take your words back. If someone does rile you, stop, think and word your response carefully.
  

E-mail rules

• Steer away from sending junk mail or promotional material to mailboxes without the owner's permission. It is annoying and is often deleted without being read anyway. You will quickly be told what some people think of you and your methods.
• Rambling on and on is just as infuriating in an e-mail as it is in real life. Be as clear and precise as possible. Give each point one paragraph and keep it simple.
• Always be courteous and professional. Never say something about another person that you wouldn't say to their face. E-mail is easily forwarded to the person involved. If you're stabbing someone in the back, getting caught mid-stroke is no less embarrassing electronically than it is in real life.

For a step-by-step guide to electronic mail, see Using E-mail.

Newsgroup participation

• Try not to get into flaming wars -- those ongoing arguments that usually involve heated personal attacks. These can turn nasty and usually drag other parties in. There have been cases where bad blood has spilled into the real world.
• Read the newgroup's FAQs (frequently asked questions) first. This is the best way to avoid asking stupid questions online and being flamed by an impatient person.
• Don't test your posting abilities in just any group. If you want to learn how to post newsgroup messages or use your newsreader, use any of the alt.test groups or alt.newbies groups.
• Keep all your postings relevant to the newsgroup's area of interest, which is usually summed up by it's name. For example, it would be foolish to post a notice about dog grooming in comp.software.
• `Cross posting' (sending the same message to several newsgroups) is another thing to watch: only do so if you are sure that your message is relevant to all those groups.
• Take everything you read in a newsgroup with a particularly large pinch of salt and don't believe everything you read -- especially online. Rumours spread more quickly online than in an office full of gossips, but just because `everybody says so' doesn't make it true.
• When you post a message that is a reply to an ongoing conversation, be sure to read the attached responses. Duplicating a previous message will be ignored or result in lots of nasty responses.

For a more comprehensive guide, see Using Newsgroups.

IRC behaviour

• Never force your way into a conversation. If you make a comment and you get a response, consider yourself `invited' to join the discussion. If there is no response (always wait for about a minute because the server could be slow) try once more -- but harassing others will lead to you being kicked off the channel.
• If you join a channel where there are only two users, ask whether you are welcome. People often move from the large channels to their own two-person channels so that they can converse in private.
• Avoid privately messaging people to strike up a conversation unless you are comfortable with the person or you are asked. Many people just barge in with private messages and not only is this rude but some people view it with suspicion -- why would a stranger try and hold a conversation in private rather than in the channel where everyone can see it?
• Flooding, or the act of filling the channel with long, useless messages or beeps is frowned upon by all. Not only does this cause the screen to scroll even faster, but it is annoying and many channels automatically kick out the `flooders'!
• Don't be an `op beggar'. Operators (ops) run each channel and have the final say in all related matters. Pleading for `op status' irks the real operators no end and persistent op beggars will find themselves out in the cold very quickly.
• If you have a few bad experiences, and you inevitably will, don't lose heart. The anonymity of IRC sometimes makes people more brazen and rude then they would be in real life, so keep trying -- there are thousands of friendly IRCers just waiting to meet you!
  

By Samantha Amjadali