Netiquette In any social interaction, certain rules of etiquette can lead to more enjoyable and productive communication. The Internet is no different -- in fact, there's even a special word for it: "Netiquette!" The following tips for posting messages and responses to mailing lists are adapted from guidelines originally compiled by 'Net citizens Chuq Von Rospach and Gene Spafford. They are good rules of thumb for any online communication, but are particularly appropriate on the Internet (so many people, and so much volume). 1. Never forget that the person on the other side is a human being. Even though you are using a computer to communicate don't forget that other people are on the receiving end. Hundreds of people all over the world are reading your words. Avoid personal attacks. Don't speak (type) hastily -- try not to say anything to others that you would not say to them in a room full of people. Remember that you are playing an important role in building an online community -- and we all want this community to be a good, friendly place. 2. Be brief. With hundreds of people participating, you'll find that a mailing list generate LOTS and LOTS of words. If you say what you want to say succinctly, it will have greater impact. Avoid Long signatures; the header of each message has your address. "Eschew surplussage." -- Twain 3. Your messages reflect on YOU -- be proud of them. Although you will meet thousands of people through the Internet, chances are you won't meet many of them in person. Most people will only know you by what you say, and how well you say it. Take time to make sure that you are proud of the messages you send. Take time to make sure your messages are easy to read and understand. 4. Use descriptive Subject headings in your messages. The subject line of your message is there to help people decide whether or not they want to read it. Use the subject line to tell people what your message is about. For example, if you are sending a message inquiring about the best treatment for mealy bugs, title it "Mealy bugs, what to do?" rather than "A question." If you send in a message that has a subject like, "Digest 1023", the listserver will reject it. If a series of messages moves away from the original title, substitute a more appropriate one. 5. Stay on topic. The mailing list has a specific subject area, and subscribers hope to read about that subject. Other subjects belong on other lists or on "newsgroups," of which there are thousands. 6. Be careful with humor and sarcasm. Without the voice inflections and body language of personal communications, it is easy for a remark meant to be funny to be misinterpreted. You can convey the emotions that words alone cannot express by using such online conventions as "smileys." :-) 7. Summarize what you are following up. When you are making a follow-up comment to someone else's message, be sure to summarize the parts of the message to which you are responding. Summarization is best done by including appropriate quotes from the original message. Don't include the entire message, since this could be irritating to people who have already read it. 8. Give back to the Community If you send a message to the mailing list requesting information, and you get lots of responses via electronic mail, it's a nice courtesy to prepare an edited message compiling your responses to the mailing list. Take the time to strip headers, combine duplicate information, and write a short summary. Credit the information to the people who sent it to you. If the topic is very common, volunteer to prepare an "archive file" that can be sent on request when the topic arrises in the future. 9. Try not to repeat what has already been said. Read responses to messages before you chime in, so that you are not needlessly repetitive. And make sure your responses have substance -- answers like "Yup" and "I agree" probably won't be widely appreciated. 10. Cite appropriate references. If you are using facts to support a cause, state where they came from. 11. Tread softly until you learn the other rules. For example, it is not permitted to resend personal messages without the permission of the author. If you have access to Usenet newsgroups, read the periodic postings in the newsgroup news.announce.newusers for more suggestions/rules on how to interact in cyberspace. (Again, thanks to Chuq Von Rospach and Gene Spafford for originally outlining these useful points.)