NETIQUETTE

Introduction
When we are growing up, we were taught of various etiquette like table, telephone calls,
greetings, etc. Just like any form of communication, the Internet is a community that has its own form of
etiquette. But somehow, people nowadays will say what is on their mind without considering what is said
and how it affects others reading it.

With the social media, chat rooms, instant messaging, etc. it is clear that we live in the digital or
communication age. While the internet has expanded our ability to communicate, it brings with it the
possibility of misinterpretation, rudeness and other blunders. That is why there is netiquette wherein best
practices for effective communication, ethics and manners will apply.

Netiquette Defined
The term netiquette is a combination of “net” (short form for internet) and “etiquette.”
Netiquette refers to a collection of behavioral rules that relate to different forms of communication on
the internet. They are social rules for polite and respectful interaction with other persons using multiple
mass media. Thus, netiquette is the practice of exercising polite and considerate behavior in online
context, such as emails, chat rooms, online forums and discussion boards, and social media.

Types of Netiquette
To describe different netiquettes, it is useful to first distinguish between two types of
communication. The netiquette is often derived from the first type of communication and then applies
with small changes for publicly visible discussions and dialogues.

1. One-to-one communication – this includes emails, private messages in various media.

2. One-to-many communication – this includes public chats, forums, discussion boards, social
networking sites, websites, blogs or vlogs.

Moreover, a distinction can also be made between company communication (B2B, B2C) and
private dialogues, where similar behavioral rules are used, which may be supplemented by company
internal and corporate guidelines.

Features of Netiquette
Netiquette involves careful word placement and expression, as well as the "nonverbal" language
of the net. Emoticons are often used to express nonverbal communication where it does not exist.
Emoticons usually follow a sentence to express emotion. Examples of emoticons:
:-) – These three characters represent a smiling face when rotated by 90 degrees.
;-) – This winking smile means the remark was flirtatious or even sarcastic
:-( – The frowning character suggests sadness
:-* – This character suggests giving a kiss
:-I – This character expresses apathy
:-P – This can either be considered playful or disgusted
ROTFL – This means "rolling on the floor laughing"
LOL – This is famously used as "laugh out loud"
BTW – This is a short version of "by the way"

Rules of Netiquette
While there is no official list of netiquette rules or guidelines, the general idea is to respect others
online. Below are the list of rules and guidelines for internet etiquette according to The Core Rules of
Netiquette by Virginia Shea:

Rule 1: Remember the human

Remember that behind every screen is a human being with independent thoughts and feelings. It
is easy to misunderstand or be rude to others when you are not interacting with them in person. Before
clicking send or post, ask yourself: Would you say it to the person's face?

Rule 2: Adhere to the same standards of behavior as in "real life"

This rule is a reminder that the ethical standards and laws that govern our society extend to
cyberspace as well. This includes harassment and bullying, copyright regulations, and privacy.

Rule 3: Know where you are in cyberspace

Different environments require different behavior. The way we interact with our friends, for
example, may not be acceptable in a school or work situation. This principle extends to online
environments as well. Comments that are acceptable on Facebook, for instance, may be considered
inappropriate on a professional networking site such as LinkedIn.

Rule 4: Respect other people's time and bandwidth

In this rule, "bandwidth" is synonymous with "time." When you send and email or post on a
discussion board, keep your comments brief and relevant to the environment or situation.

Rule 5: Make yourself look good online

There are many positive aspects about the Internet, including the ability to remain anonymous.
This rule is a reminder not to allow this aspect of the Internet influence how you communicate. Pay
attention to your grammar, spelling and word choices as well as the overall content and truthfulness of
your writing, as this is what others are using to judge you.

Rule 6: Share expert knowledge

The Internet is a great platform for sharing good information. However, it can also be used to
spread misinformation and distortions. If you hold a lot of knowledge about a certain topic or subject,
don't be afraid to share it online in a manner that is helpful and accurate.
Rule 7: Help keep flame wars under control
"Flaming" refers to verbal disagreements that occur between users in contexts such as message
boards. They are often a result of strongly held opinions and emotions. As in rule 4, do not monopolize
online discussion with long or offensive commentary.

Rule 8: Respect other people's privacy

The Internet is an open forum. Remember not to share information about others that could get
them -- or yourself -- into trouble, both personally and professionally.

Rule 9: Don't abuse your power

This rule is intended for those who carry more power on the Internet as experts, designers, system
administrators or even hackers. Power should always be used responsibly and not to harm or take
advantage of those who are less powerful or knowledgeable.

Rule 10: Be forgiving of other people's mistakes

Give other users the benefit of the doubt and consider that they may come from a different
background or have less experience on the Internet. Do not be rude when you encounter someone's
mistake -- always respond with courtesy and respect.

Function of Netiquette
Netiquette is not only for the purpose of adding a "human" element to the Internet, it is also used
to make communication more efficient. One must say what they mean and say it with care. Proofread
your messages. Spelling is the most apparent reflection of one's intelligence on the Internet. Intelligence
and education is judged by spelling, grammar, punctuation, and message clarity. Along with spelling,
consecutive capitalization should be used sparingly. Using all caps is usually interpreted as a person
shouting.

Significance of Netiquette
Knowing proper netiquette is extremely important during the information age, especially during
business communications. Nonverbal communication is limited on the internet, with web chats being one
of the few ways to express nonverbal communication which accounts for 80% of how communication is
interpreted. Because the internet lacks body language or facial expressions, the feeling of a statement can
often be misconstrued.

Benefits of Netiquette
Netiquette helps users develop and maintain relationships, whether business or personal. It also
helps keep group conversations constructive and friendly. Everything online that can be traced to you
through a search engine is part of what's known as your "online footprint." Using netiquette helps you
make sure your online footprint reflects well on you.
Effects of Netiquette
The effects of netiquette depend on where you use it. If you are using netiquette at work, you are
safely maintaining your business relationships. If you are applying netiquette when talking to friends or
acquaintances, you are being courteous enough to proofread your words and not forward spam. If you
are using netiquette to increase your web presence, you are building a positive reputation for yourself.

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