Netiquette

We, the staff of the Pocket guide have been asked to give a brief education to the more unskilled users. This education includes Netiquette. Netiquette is essential for each user on the network to recognize his/her responsibility in having access to vast services, sites, systems and people. The user is ultimately responsible for his/her actions in accessing network services.
The "Internet" or "The Net", is not a single network; rather, it is a group of thousands of individual networks which have chosen to allow traffic to pass among them. The traffic sent out to the Internet may actually traverse several different networks before it reaches its destination. Therefore, users involved in this internetworking must be aware of the load placed on other participating networks.

Remember, the fact that a user *can* perform a particular action does not imply that they *should* take that action.

The use of the network is a privilege, not a right, which may temporarily be revoked at any time for abusive conduct. Such conduct would include: the use of abusive or otherwise objectionable language in either public or private messages, the sending of "Chain letters," or "broadcast" messages to lists or individuals, and any other types of use which would cause congestion of the networks or otherwise interfere with the work of others.

Permanent revocations can result from disciplinary actions taken by a board of ops called upon to investigate channel abuses.

We recommend you adhere to the following terms, though it is not required of you:
  • Keep paragraphs and messages short and to the point.
  • Capitalize words only to highlight an important point or to distinguish a title or heading. Capitalizing whole words that are not titles is generally termed as SHOUTING!
  • Be professional and careful what you say about others.
  • Be careful when using sarcasm and humor. Without face to face communications your joke may be viewed as criticism.

Acronyms can be used to abbreviate when possible, however use of "U" "R" and combined terms are not recommended, this will result in verbal attacks, and possibly even kicks. Also, messages that are filled with acronyms can be confusing and annoying to the reader.
Examples of acceptable acronyms are:
IMHO= in my humble/honest opinion
FYI = for your information
BTW = by the way
BRB = Be Right Back
BBL = Be Back Later
B = Back
TTYL = Talk To You Later
etc.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR COMPUTER ETHICS from the Computer Ethics Institute

1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work.
3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's files.
4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
6. Thou shalt not use or copy software for which you have not paid.
7. Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without authorization.
8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.
9. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you write.
10. Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect.

This Document provided by the Academic/Institutional Support Services of Florida Atlantic University July, 1994