Salzman and Pondiscio on "Netiquette"

Attention Net vets: I was recently reviewing Marion Salzman and Robert Pondiscio's definitive text, The Ultimate On-Line Homework Helper (1996), when I stumbled upon a classic passage. Electronic Communication veterans are sure to remember the duo's remarkable segment on "Road Rules and Netiquette." I found the chapter to be so enlightening as to justify reproduction below, with only slight abridgement.


If you are new to cyberspace, there are a few commonsense rules of the road you need to know. There are also some informal rules about how to behave online, known as "netiquette," short for "Internet etiquette."

Following the rules of the road is important. That's because the so-called information superhighway isn't really a highway at all. As we've discussed, it's really more like a city-- several cities. Several big crowded cities. Several big crowded cities where people buzz around and bump into one another a lot. That means there are bound to be people stepping on one another's toes. Or worse. People get into arguments in the real world, often accompanied by nasty language and colorful hand gestures. And the same is sometimes true in cyberspace. Well, maybe not the hand gestures.

As long as people have opinions and sensitivities, there will be disagreements. But there are a few commonly agreed upon standards of behavior online that make it a little easier for everyone to get along together. These rules are known as netiquette. Here are a few basic dos and don'ts to remember.

Don't: Use foul language. Swearing in a chat room or on a message board is rude, crude, and a surefire way to lose your online account.

Don't: Type in ALL CAPS. This is one of the most common newbie mistakes. Typing online with your caps lock key down is considered SHOUTING online.

Do: Remember People's Feelings. It's sometimes easy to forget that there's a real person typing at you on your screen. If you find yourself in a disagreement with someone online, do it with courtesy and respect for their feelings.

Do: Be Helpful. One of the things that makes being online special is what some Net vets call "virtual community." That means neighbors help neighbors. If you meet someone online who has questions and you know the answers, help him or her out. That way, they'll be more likely to help you when you need it. Just remember the old saying: What goes around comes around.

Don't: Be a jerk. This should be the easiest one to remember. Despite the rules of netiquette, there are too many people online who are rude, crude, dominate message boards and chat rooms, and generally make life unpleasant for everyone around them. Don't be one of them.