Netiquette

 

What is Netiquette? The word itself is a combination of the words "Internet" and "etiquette." Netiquette is a set of expectations, sometimes stated and sometimes not, for how people interact in cyberspace. The Wordle above (created from a chapter on the core rules of Netiquette) is a great illustration of what's most important in Netiquette: People. Always remember that you are talking to a real person. Respect that above all else and we shouldn't have any problems in this course.

Here are some other rules to remember:

  • Avoid talking in all caps. It means that you're shouting at someone!
  • The tone of your message is really important. If you think it might not be clear that you're joking, use an emoticon so no one gets offended. :)
  • Keep your messages to the point. If there's a lot of scrolling, people probably won't read and respond to your thoughts. We want to keep the discussion going but we don't want to turn people off with long diatribes.
  • Never write anything in the course that you wouldn't be comfortable with printing in your local newspaper, to be read by all your friends and family.
  • If you get upset by a message, take a little break. Don't respond when you're angry. Take a little while to think about it first!
  • Always be polite. Remember, you're dealing with real people, not just words on a screen.

If you'd like to know more about netiquette, follow this link for an in-depth look at the core rules and watch the video below.