The following was adapted with minor changes from a post written by
<jshackel@bucknell.edu> (Jean Shackelford) for the FEMECON mailing list.
It contains some sound advice that might be unfamiliar to newer Internet
users. I have included some additional comments for OPE-L members at
the end. /In Solidarity, Jerry
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*** NET ETIQUETTE ***
The January Bucknell Computer Center Newsletter "INSYNC" contained the
following guidelines to "take advantage of the strengths of electronic
communication and avoid its pitfalls," which were adapted from the
January '91 issue of "The Computer Connection," from James Madison
University.
1. Organize your thoughts first.
2. Be clear and concise.
3. Never forget that a human being is on the other end.
4. Ask for clarification before jumping to conclusions.
Perhaps that seemingly outrageous message was meant to be amusing or
to convey a completely different idea.
5. Do not send mail when angry or upset.
6. Use uppercase text sparingly.
Because it is more difficult to read and is needed for emphasis. Many
readers consider capital letters the electronic equivalent of
SHOUTING. Putting asterisks around texts like *this* is another
convention to indicate emphasis.
7. Use subheadings (all caps is fine) and lists to break up long text.
8. If you are attempting sarcasm or other humor, clearly indicate so.
A common convention is to type a smiley face. Tilt your head to the
left to view the following example :-)
9. Send a different message for each topic of discussion.
Replying is a convenient way to send an answer, but when changing
topics, create a new message so you can change the subject.
10. Use descriptive titles for the subject.
So that messages are easier to file and retrieve.
11. When responding to a message, give some indication as to the content
of the original message.
Don't just say "OK."
12. When replying to an email message, include the original text
judiciously.
Only include excerpts that are directly relevant to your response,
not the entire message. If the recipient has to scroll down an
entire screen to see the beginning of your response, you've probably
included too much of the original text.
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Additional Notes for OPE-L Subscribers:
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(1) *Always* indicate the author of the post that you are responding to.
(2) *Please* indicate the OPE-L identification number(s) of the post(s)
that you are responding to. As everyone knows we can be a high volume
list at times. This makes it easier to follow the discussion.
(3) If you change the subject line for a message, please do so such that
the reader can tell immediately what thread it is a part of.
(4) *Always* remember that your posts will be read by everyone on the
list, including those who may not be participating currently.
(5) *Always* remember that we are comrades and equals.
(6) *Always* remember the list policy on a zero tolerance for "flames."
(7) *Always* remember that we are here to listen to each other, learn from
one another, and have fun.