IT SKILLS

KMBN-151
 Netiquette
• Netiquette is a made-up word from the words
net and etiquette. Netiquette thus
describes the rules of conduct for respectful
and appropriate communication on the
internet. Netiquette is often referred to as
etiquette for the internet.
 Cont.
• The word netiquette is a colloquial acronym for “network
etiquette”, a set of social conventions that facilitate
interaction through networks, and that include from chats and
emails to blogs and forums.
• Like the Web itself, these norms of behaviour are constantly
changing and varying from community to community. The
most prominent points of netiquette are the use of simple
electronic signatures, and avoiding actions such as multi
posting (posting the same content on pages or blogs), cross-
posting (sending a similar message to different groups of
instantaneous communication, forums, etc.), off-topic
publication, hijacking of a discussion thread and other
techniques. Similarly, some netiquette guidelines reject
abbreviations in language, a habit that became widespread .
 Examples of netiquette

• As in real life, netiquette rules are not mandatory.

These are only guidelines that it is recommended
to follow so as not to inconvenience other users
and not to transmit the wrong impression on the
Internet. This is especially relevant for
professionals who defend the reputation of a
brand, and in particular for those responsible for
managing conversations with customers on social
networks and through online chats.
 Cont.
• Keep the good education. It is a basic rule that, although it seems
obvious, is not always so in communication that does not occur
face to face. We look at examples of how to lose shape on a daily
basis on social networks like Twitter.
• Respect each other’s bandwidth. This implies not sending by
email or instant messaging files of great weight or difficult to
download.
• Don’t send pictures or videos of other people, especially if
they’re intimate. The modification of the Criminal Code in Spain in
2015 includes this action as a crime that can be punished with
between three months and one year in prison, even if the images
have been taken at the time with the authorization of the person
who appears in it.
 Cont.
• Also, do not disseminate private information about
yourself or others.
• Take care of spelling. Unfortunately, this is one of the
points to which less attention is currently paid.
• In e-mails, it retains the structure of traditional
mail. Includes subject, greeting, theme to develop,
farewell and signature. If there are any attachments,
mention them.
• In forums, chats, social networks or Whats App
groups, express your opinion with respect and never
attacking others.
 Core Rules of Netiquette

• Rule 1: Remember the Human

• When communicating electronically, whether through email, instant
message, discussion post, text, or some other method, practice the
Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
Remember, your written words are read by real people, all deserving of
respectful communication. Before you press "send" or "submit," ask
yourself, "Would I be okay with this if someone else had written it?"
• Rule 2: Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow
in real life
• While it can be argued that standards of behavior may be different in the
virtual world, they certainly should not be lower. You should do your best
to act within the laws and ethical manners of society whenever you
inhabit "cyberspace." Would you behave rudely to someone face-to-face?
On most occasions, no. Neither should you behave this way in the virtual
world.
 Cont.
• Rule 3: Know where you are in cyberspace
• "Netiquette varies from domain to domain."
(Shea, 1994) Depending on where you are in
the virtual world, the same written
communication can be acceptable in one area,
where it might be considered inappropriate in
another. What you text to a friend may not be
appropriate in an email to a classmate or
colleague. Can you think of another example?
 Cont.
• Rule 4: Respect other people's time and bandwidth
• Electronic communication takes time: time to read and time in which to respond.
Most people today lead busy lives, just like you do, and don't have time to read or
respond to frivolous emails or discussion posts. As a virtual world communicator, it
is your responsibility to make sure that the time spent reading your words isn't
wasted. Make your written communication meaningful and to the point, without
extraneous text or superfluous graphics or attachments that may take forever to
download.
• Rule 5: Make yourself look good online
• One of the best things about the virtual world is the lack of judgment associated
with your physical appearance, sound of your voice, or the clothes you wear (unless
you post a video of yourself singing Karaoke in a clown outfit.) You will, however, be
judged by the quality of your writing, so keep the following tips in mind:
• Always check for spelling and grammar errors
• Know what you're talking about and state it clearly
• Be pleasant and polite
 Cont.
• Rule 6: Share expert knowledge
• The Internet offers its users many benefits; one is the ease
in which information can be shared or accessed and in
fact, this "information sharing" capability is one of the
reasons the Internet was founded. So in the spirit of the
Internet's "founding fathers," share what you know! When
you post a question and receive intelligent answers, share
the results with others. Are you an expert at something?
Post resources and references about your subject matter.
Recently expanded your knowledge about a subject that
might be of interest to others? Share that as well.
 Cont.
• Rule 7: Help keep flame wars under control
• What is meant by "flaming" and "flame wars?" "Flaming is what people do when they
express a strongly held opinion without holding back any emotion." (Shea, 1994). As an
example, think of the kinds of passionate comments you might read on a sports blog.
While "flaming" is not necessarily forbidden in virtual communication, "flame wars,"
when two or three people exchange angry posts between one another, must be
controlled or the camaraderie of the group could be compromised. Don't feed the flames;
extinguish them by guiding the discussion back to a more productive direction.
• Rule 8: Respect other people's privacy
• Depending on what you are reading in the virtual world, be it an online class discussion
forum, Facebook page, or an email, you may be exposed to some private or personal
information that needs to be handled with care. Perhaps someone is sharing some
medical news about a loved one or discussing a situation at work. What do you think
would happen if this information "got into the wrong hands?" Embarrassment? Hurt
feelings? Loss of a job? Just as you expect others to respect your privacy, so should you
respect the privacy of others. Be sure to err on the side of caution when deciding to
discuss or not to discuss virtual communication.
 Cont.
• Rule 9: Don't abuse your power
• Just like in face-to-face situations, there are people in cyberspace who have
more "power" than others. They have more expertise in technology or they
have years of experience in a particular skill or subject matter. Maybe it's you
who possesses all of this knowledge and power! Just remember: knowing more
than others do or having more power than others may have does not give you
the right to take advantage of anyone. Think of Rule 1: Remember the human.
• Rule 10: Be forgiving of other people's mistakes
• Not everyone has the same amount of experience working in the virtual world.
And not everyone knows the rules of netiquette. At some point, you will see a
stupid question, read an unnecessarily long response, or encounter misspelled
words; when this happens, practice kindness and forgiveness as you would
hope someone would do if you had committed the same offense. If it's a minor
"offense," you might want to let it slide. If you feel compelled to respond to a
mistake, do so in a private email rather than a public forum.
Netiquette: The do’s & don’ts of online behaviour

• When you’re studying online, your contact with

peers and facilitators will be through web-based
forums and discussion boards. It’s worth
making sure that you’re coming across the way
you intend to and that you’re a positive addition
to your online community.
• Here are a few Dos and Don’ts of “netiquette”
— or online communication practices — to bear
in mind the next time you log on or join in.
 Do:

• Watch your tone

• Digital correspondence is notoriously vague and subject to
(mis)interpretation. If you’re not careful, you could easily
come across as rude, angry or sarcastic, even when that’s not
your intention. Re-read your comments before posting them
to make sure the tone isn’t negative.
• Use emoticons — as appropriate
• Emotion icons, such as smiley faces, can help clarify your tone
or intention. For example, if you want people to know that
you’re joking or emphasize that you’re not upset, a smile
emoticon can go a long way. Use them, but don’t overuse
them. 
 Cont.
• Be generous & collaborative
• Don’t chime in only when you need help or advice. Be an
active participant in your online community. Take the time to
read and respond to other people’s posts, and provide
encouragement and information when you can.
• Include a subject line
• When you post on a forum, use a brief header that clearly
indicates the topic you’re asking about or commenting on.
• Be friendly
• Start your posts with a greeting, and sign off with your
name — unless your username makes it clear who you are.
 Cont.
• Use good grammar & spelling
• No one likes wading through sloppy,
incoherent sentences. Also, using proper
diction helps make a good impression on your
peers, who could well be your future
references or colleagues.
• Keep it short & sweet
• Be clear and concise in what you post.
 Don’t:

• Use coarse, rough or rude language

• It’s off-putting and unprofessional.
• Overuse caps
• Writing in all caps is generally frowned upon. You might want to
use caps to draw attention to something, but many users
interpret it as being yelled at or scolded. Instead, try using
asterisks surrounding words you want to highlight.
• Rely on first person
• Using “I” when you talk in person is one thing, but when you do
it too much online, it often comes across as self-centred. Make
a point of using “we” or “you” whenever you can; they’re more
inclusive pronouns.
 Cont.
• Flame
• Flaming is an online rant. People who flame don’t consider
the opinions or feelings of anyone else on the forum.
Presenting an informed opinion in a diplomatic way is
acceptable; lashing out and forcing your preferences on
others is not.
• Send spam
• Discussion boards, forums and online chat rooms aren’t the
place to promote yourself, your products or your own agenda.
Keep your comments focussed on topics that are relevant to
your courses and program.
 Cont.
• Overuse abbreviations
• From texts to posts to instant messages, a lot of online
communication is about conveying information as
quickly as possible. But using too many abbreviations
can be irritating, not to mention confusing. College’s
environment includes people from a wide range of
backgrounds Just try to minimize them and avoid
obscure abbreviations.
Thank You