Behaving Online:
Source
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You will have a test on these notes!
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Using a Word document, type notes as we
discuss The 10 Rules of Netiquette and other
facts about netiquette.
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I don’t mind if you paraphrase, but you should
include most information from each slide.
I will check your notespage for completeness
for a daily grade.
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The word netiquette is a combination of the
words InterNET and etiquette.
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Netiquette is a set of rules that we follow for
behaving properly online.
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It establishes good behavior while on the Net
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Remember . . . There is a real person on the
other end of your message.
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The Golden Rule - “Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you.”
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Stand up for yourself, but don’t hurt others’
feelings
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Put yourself in their shoes
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Comments online can be misinterpreted
 Avoid sarcasm
 Use a smiley if you think your comment may be
misunderstood as being rude
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Ask yourself, “Would I say this to his/her
face?”
 If the answer is no, then rewrite and reread.
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Remember–Your chats can be saved and
emails can be forwarded.
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You never know where your conversation
may end up!
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Be ethical
 Just because the computer can seem like a
“barrier” between you and the other person or
situation, that is not an excuse to lower your
ethical standards.
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Breaking the law is bad netiquette
 If you are tempted to do something illegal in
cyberspace, chances are, it’s bad netiquette.
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Netiquette varies from domain to domain
 For example, on a TV series discussion board (such
as what’s happening next on an MTV show), it
may be perfectly fine to “gossip” about what your
favorite character will do next.
 However, on a sports column, spreading rumors
about the writer or a particular player may make
you very unpopular.
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So…
 Lurk before you leap
▪ If you are interested in contributing your opinion
to a message board or discussion forum, first
get a sense of how the people act. Then go
ahead and participate.
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When you send someone email forwards, you are
taking up some of their time. Make sure the
person you’re emailing wants your forwards.
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Ensure that you don’t send email forwards to
anyone’s work e-mail address. Always pass along
forwards to someone’s personal email account
(not their work account!).
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Above all, make sure you aren’t wasting the other
person’s time. Imagine getting a bunch of junk
email from your cousin and how frustrated you’d
be that it wasted your time!
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Bandwidth is the information-carrying capacity
of the wires and channels that connect everyone
in cyberspace.
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For example, streaming audio or video uses a
ton of bandwidth (or “space on the Internet”). If
everyone in our class was watching YouTube, it
would significantly slow down the Internet
speed of the entire Madison County Schools
network.
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Respect other’s bandwidth!
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Take advantage of your anonymity.
 Networks, particularly discussion boards, allow you to
reach out to someone you would’ve otherwise not known.
 None of them can see you! You won’t be judged by the way
you look, the color of your skin, the way you talk, etc.
 However, you will be judged on the quality of your writing.
 Spelling and grammar do matter! You don’t want to appear
dumb or look like you don’t know what you’re talking
about.
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Be pleasant and polite.
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Don’t use offensive language
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Don’t be confrontational just for the
sake of confrontation!
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The strength of cyberspace is in its numbers.
The reason asking questions online works is
because a lot of knowledgeable people are
reading the questions.
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The Internet itself was founded and grew
because scientists wanted to share
information. Gradually, the rest of us joined
in!
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So, do your part! You have something offer;
don’t be afraid to share what you know.
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For example, if you’re browsing a website that
asks how to do something in particular on
Photoshop, don’t be afraid to jump in with your
answer or suggestion!
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Just make sure you’re right– Remember Rule
#5– Make sure you know what you’re talking
about!
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Flaming – What people do when they express a
strongly held opinion without holding back any
emotion
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Yes, sometimes flaming and be amusing, but
when it goes on and on and on, it is unfair to
other members of the group. They can get
boring fast!
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So, try to settle an “e-pal” down if they are
involved in flaming. Do your part to keep it
under control.
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You’d never go through your friend’s desk
drawers, so don’t read their email either.
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Don’t SNOOP!
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It could cost you a friendship or your job in
the long run.
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Put yourself in their shoes–You wouldn’t
want anyone reading your email, would you?
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When using the library (or anyone’s) computer,
you may have the administrative rights to
download program or other things online.
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Make sure to get permission before you do so…
Recklessly downloading a ton of programs can
lead to security issues such as viruses or worms!
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Don’t abuse your power!
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Occasionally, you may come into contact with “web
newbies.” They may
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Make a spelling error
Begin flame wars
Ask a silly question
Or give an unnecessarily long answer
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Remember to BE KIND!
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If you decide to point out someone’s mistake, do it politely,
and preferably by personal message, rather than in public.
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Remember– You were new once too.
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Don’t use acronyms like OMG or LOL if you
aren’t sure the other person will understand.
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Before you send a large attachment in an
email, compress it so that it’s not as big.
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Try to avoid sarcasm because it is difficult to
understand in print.
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Avoid writing emails using ALL CAPITAL
LETTERS.
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Add personality to your messages by using
emoticons (or smilies). :-) :-D
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Keep your communication to the point
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In emails, always use a subject line!
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Choose a public place (mall, school, library,
restaurant, etc).
Write several rules (4-6) “unspoken rules” of
this public place. If you get confused, try
using your Rules of Netiquette to help you
think of some.
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Use the 10 Rules of Netiquette and compare
them to how you would act in this public
place.
For example… a movie theater.
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How would you “remember the human” in a
movie theater?
 There are other people in the movie theater,
although you may not be able to see them. So, be
respectful of them.
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How would you relate Rule#3 to proper
behavior in a movie theater?
 Talking to a friend at home VS. Talking to a friend
in a movie theater
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How would you use this rule in a movie
theater?
 Remember that you are representing your
community, your family, and yourself!
 What would happen if these rules weren’t in
place?
 What are possible repercussions of your actions if
you violate these rules?
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-How is this related to proper behavior on the
Web? Compare the rules of netiquette with
everyday life. You should compare a minimum of
six rules.
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-Finally, come up with one possible scenario that
may happen in this possible place. List possible
“benefits” associated with one action, compared
with possible “costs” associated with another
(remember the movie theater example). After
listing these, choose what you would do and
why it is the proper behavior.