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juggernaut · 2005-06-29, 05:42 PM

Netiquette

Written by: KayS
Networking is one of the best ways to make new friends, business associates and learn the ropes. But how do you communicate in this net world? I mean if you have a garlic and onion sandwich for lunch and walk into a brick and mortar office your co-workers are probably going to avoid you like the plague -right? So how do you avoid offending your cyber cohorts?

This is where netiquette comes in. People online get to know us from how we post in forums, chat on instant messengers and "talk" in chat rooms. They never see our facial expressions; they never hear a tone of voice. Why can one person call me a short, wrinkled old troll and I not only will not take offence but end up snorting my coffee all over my screen, while someone else may say something like "you don't know what you're talking about and I disagree with you totally" and it will raise my blood pressure to unhealthy levels? It's easy - the sum of the experiences I've had with both people online will affect how I react. I don't just read what they post to me, I read what they post to others.

There are subtleties in our online relationships and the one thing we have to remember is that whatever we write, especially in an open public forum will be read by more than just the person we're "talking" to. Those people will form opinions - right or wrong of the person behind the post.

What can we do to make that impression a good one? First don't use the caps lock. ANYTHING THAT YOU WRITE ALL IN CAPS WILL BE CONSIDERED SHOUTING. And no one likes to be shouted at, even in cyber space. Besides it marks you as the newest of newbies.

Watch what you say. We may work in adult but there are still lines that shouldn't be crossed. Suggesting to a female webmistress in a chat room that she should give you a blow job cause after all she's a woman, you're a guy and you're all in adult may not get you a real slap in the face, but it sure can do a lot to ruin your image. The net is an equal opportunity marketplace and the women you meet are fellow entrepreneurs and business associates and should be treated as such.

Don't give away your age, mental or real, by spelling and writing like an illiterate twelve year old. "U suk man, r u dum u h4xs3r?" will not only send many fellow webmasters running for a web dictionary but mark you forever as someone with less than what it takes to be a successful webmaster. Now we all misspell - the damned keyboards just seem to do that, but try to present yourself in the best way you can, since what you type is the only way people will know you.

Don't attack. If you disagree with what someone has said don't attack him or her as a person. Disagree with the idea. "That is the stupidest thing I ever heard but I would expect something like that from an old fart like you." will probably not be taken too well by anyone reading it. If you are in a flame war, don't get personal. Stick to the issues, stick to the ideas, don't throw mud on the person.

If you're angry, drunk, or super tired DON'T POST. Get up, walk away from the keyboard, take a walk, cool off, sober up, get some sleep, think about it and THEN post. Otherwise you will have to apologize for something that didn't come out the way you intended it. And people will still remember that original post no matter how much you try to cover it up.

When you post, reread it before you hit that enter key. Ask yourself if you're in the middle of a hot and heavy discussion if what you're about to post is really a good idea. Is it a clarification or a statement of your ideas on the subject? Has it been presented in a logical, non-judgmental, non-inflammatory manner? Keep in mind that somewhere out there are 5 Billion Chinese who really don't give a damn what you're posting. It's not going to change the world as we know it, but it sure can change how people think of you - so be cool, be respectful, and don't attack.

Use emoticons - smilies - to let everyone know when you're teasing someone or cracking a joke. Just because you know what you're doing doesn't mean the readers do. "I think someone has too much time on their hands" sounds a little harsh. "I think someone has waaaaaaaay too much time on their hands! LMAO }:>) " conveys a totally different feeling.

If you don't know who someone is - don't question their experience. One guy springs to mind who posted two years ago about a webmaster who wasn't often seen on the boards. He made a comment about the man owning a couple of sites when in point of fact he owned several SERVERS full of sites and was one of the most successful webmasters around. Two years later and people still remember that post, and the poster. "Oh yeah wasn't he the ass who said….."

Don't bash. If you have a problem with a host, sponsor, content provider, whoever, do not bring it to the boards. Try to work it out privately and use someone as an arbitrator if necessary. If it's a scam - and there are some around, be sure you have your facts in order before blowing the whistle. Don't just say that your sales are off and so the sponsor is cheating. That is a really quick way to make your career very short. The best thing to do is take your evidence to someone who's been around awhile and has a strong standing in the community. Let them investigate and take the appropriate action.

One other point - you never know who you may need. That guy you insulted in the live chat may someday be the guy you need to buy content from, or host with, or ask for a job. And I can guarantee he will remember that post where you insulted him - and remember it forever!

If you have gotten off on the wrong foot - forget the public forums. Take it to email, give them a call. It's amazing what an email or phone call can do. Misunderstandings can be cleared up quickly and that guy you thought was a flaming moron may turn out to be a good friend and business associate.

In short - think before you hit the enter key. This may be cyberspace, but impressions are just as long lasting as they are in office space, the problem is we only have our words to make those impressions. So be sure they are the ones you really want to use.

KayS

Sorry for the long post lol but I thought this was good.

2005-06-29, 05:42 PM	#11
juggernaut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Central Jersey! If I was rich and powerful I would dress as my avatar does. Posts: 1,448	Netiquette Written by: KayS Networking is one of the best ways to make new friends, business associates and learn the ropes. But how do you communicate in this net world? I mean if you have a garlic and onion sandwich for lunch and walk into a brick and mortar office your co-workers are probably going to avoid you like the plague -right? So how do you avoid offending your cyber cohorts? This is where netiquette comes in. People online get to know us from how we post in forums, chat on instant messengers and "talk" in chat rooms. They never see our facial expressions; they never hear a tone of voice. Why can one person call me a short, wrinkled old troll and I not only will not take offence but end up snorting my coffee all over my screen, while someone else may say something like "you don't know what you're talking about and I disagree with you totally" and it will raise my blood pressure to unhealthy levels? It's easy - the sum of the experiences I've had with both people online will affect how I react. I don't just read what they post to me, I read what they post to others. There are subtleties in our online relationships and the one thing we have to remember is that whatever we write, especially in an open public forum will be read by more than just the person we're "talking" to. Those people will form opinions - right or wrong of the person behind the post. What can we do to make that impression a good one? First don't use the caps lock. ANYTHING THAT YOU WRITE ALL IN CAPS WILL BE CONSIDERED SHOUTING. And no one likes to be shouted at, even in cyber space. Besides it marks you as the newest of newbies. Watch what you say. We may work in adult but there are still lines that shouldn't be crossed. Suggesting to a female webmistress in a chat room that she should give you a blow job cause after all she's a woman, you're a guy and you're all in adult may not get you a real slap in the face, but it sure can do a lot to ruin your image. The net is an equal opportunity marketplace and the women you meet are fellow entrepreneurs and business associates and should be treated as such. Don't give away your age, mental or real, by spelling and writing like an illiterate twelve year old. "U suk man, r u dum u h4xs3r?" will not only send many fellow webmasters running for a web dictionary but mark you forever as someone with less than what it takes to be a successful webmaster. Now we all misspell - the damned keyboards just seem to do that, but try to present yourself in the best way you can, since what you type is the only way people will know you. Don't attack. If you disagree with what someone has said don't attack him or her as a person. Disagree with the idea. "That is the stupidest thing I ever heard but I would expect something like that from an old fart like you." will probably not be taken too well by anyone reading it. If you are in a flame war, don't get personal. Stick to the issues, stick to the ideas, don't throw mud on the person. If you're angry, drunk, or super tired DON'T POST. Get up, walk away from the keyboard, take a walk, cool off, sober up, get some sleep, think about it and THEN post. Otherwise you will have to apologize for something that didn't come out the way you intended it. And people will still remember that original post no matter how much you try to cover it up. When you post, reread it before you hit that enter key. Ask yourself if you're in the middle of a hot and heavy discussion if what you're about to post is really a good idea. Is it a clarification or a statement of your ideas on the subject? Has it been presented in a logical, non-judgmental, non-inflammatory manner? Keep in mind that somewhere out there are 5 Billion Chinese who really don't give a damn what you're posting. It's not going to change the world as we know it, but it sure can change how people think of you - so be cool, be respectful, and don't attack. Use emoticons - smilies - to let everyone know when you're teasing someone or cracking a joke. Just because you know what you're doing doesn't mean the readers do. "I think someone has too much time on their hands" sounds a little harsh. "I think someone has waaaaaaaay too much time on their hands! LMAO }:>) " conveys a totally different feeling. If you don't know who someone is - don't question their experience. One guy springs to mind who posted two years ago about a webmaster who wasn't often seen on the boards. He made a comment about the man owning a couple of sites when in point of fact he owned several SERVERS full of sites and was one of the most successful webmasters around. Two years later and people still remember that post, and the poster. "Oh yeah wasn't he the ass who said….." Don't bash. If you have a problem with a host, sponsor, content provider, whoever, do not bring it to the boards. Try to work it out privately and use someone as an arbitrator if necessary. If it's a scam - and there are some around, be sure you have your facts in order before blowing the whistle. Don't just say that your sales are off and so the sponsor is cheating. That is a really quick way to make your career very short. The best thing to do is take your evidence to someone who's been around awhile and has a strong standing in the community. Let them investigate and take the appropriate action. One other point - you never know who you may need. That guy you insulted in the live chat may someday be the guy you need to buy content from, or host with, or ask for a job. And I can guarantee he will remember that post where you insulted him - and remember it forever! If you have gotten off on the wrong foot - forget the public forums. Take it to email, give them a call. It's amazing what an email or phone call can do. Misunderstandings can be cleared up quickly and that guy you thought was a flaming moron may turn out to be a good friend and business associate. In short - think before you hit the enter key. This may be cyberspace, but impressions are just as long lasting as they are in office space, the problem is we only have our words to make those impressions. So be sure they are the ones you really want to use. KayS Sorry for the long post lol but I thought this was good.