Internet Etiquette (Netiquette)

Internet Etiquette (Netiquette)

Written by featherjinxer

There are so many new members at Tailfeathers everyday, we though it would be useful to compile a list of the basic netiquette as it applies to this message board. For those of you new to the Internet, this is generally universal everywhere- and a good reference for the rest of us!

#1 Capitalizing, Punctuation, and Grammar

Typing in all caps is considered shouting. Who wants to read a post where the person screams at you the entire time? The majority of users simply ignore those posts, and any valuable information is lost. Please do NOT use all caps, you will only be perceived as ignorant, inconsiderate, and lazy.

Use correct spelling and grammar. Simply, it is rude not to. Doing so only shows the other members they are not worth your time. It also emphasizes your educational level and professionalism-you will be taken much, much more seriously if you use the proper grammar and punctuation. Tailfeathers supplies a spell check. When posting, just click it, and double-check what you have written- it can prevent many misunderstandings.

Finally, type in complete sentences and use spell check, please! Incomplete, fragmented sentences, cryptic, jumpy thoughts are hard to read, and you will not be taken seriously. Do skip a line between paragraphs, it makes the message infinitely easier to read. The written word is a wonderful medium of communication, so use it to its fullest potential!

#2 Emoticons

I'm sure everyone enjoys the cute emoticons. However, they lose their cuteness, and effectiveness, VERY quickly if overused. Generally, there should be no more than three per reply. Emoticons can help to convey much, but if not used appropriately they can convey a sense of immaturity and inconsideration to a reply that is ment to be taken seriously.

#3 HTML Formatting

HTML formatting refers to the bold, italicized, underlined, font-size, color, and font in posts. Again, this heavily emphasizes the tone of the message, as well as its intention. A large font size conveys yelling. Constantly switching colors is VERY hard to read, and most will simply skip the post. Use discretion when applying the HTML formatting, you don’t want the purpose of your post to be lost, or ignored!

#4 Subject Headers

Subject headers- the name of the post you may decide to click on. Giving your post an appropriate title makes a HUGE difference in the type, and length of responses, which you will receive. Chose a title that concisely conveys the question you will ask. If you want to know about what different diseases affect budgies, and how to prevent them, the post would be titled something like “Budgie Disease and Prevention.” For me, it is easier to write the post, and then look for the line that asks the question- that contains your title. Titles like “HELP” or “URGENT DYING” instead of “Throwing Up” usually have the reverse affect- people will avoid these posts. Usually, once the post is posted, the title should NOT be changed unless it is by the original poster. It can become very confusing when a post is constantly changing titles-some of us go by the responses' title! You are much more likely to receive a response if you title it appropriately, then someone who has knowledge in that field is much more likely to stop by!

#5 Signature Files

Signature files, aka custom signatures, can be cute, and a way expressing a bit of your personality to your posts. I will not discuss them here, only link you to Tailfeathers' board rules, which has a section on this.

#6 Acronyms

Usually, they are not used when posting; acronyms are a chat room medium. Use these with great discretion-and be prepared to explain what they stand for. Over usage-more than two or three per message- results in you being perceived as a major newbie! Some of the more commonly used ones I have noticed on Tailfeathers are as follows.

• TF = Tailfeathers
• IMO = In My Opinion
• IMHO = In My Honest Opinion
• LOL = Laughing Out Loud
• ROTFL = Rolling On the Floor Laughing
• BRB = Be Right Back
• NTM = Not to Mention
• FYI = For Your Information

Want more? www.gaarde.org/acronyms/

#7 Copyright and E-Mail

Tailfeathers has a copyright policy (and general disclaimer)-please respect it. Everything posted IS copyrighted, do not use it anywhere without citing your source, and if in doubt, check with Dan or another staffer. When posting information on Tailfeathers from another source, please cite it!

Remember, a member has the ability to say anything they want-they can pass themselves off as anyone, or anything. If something seems fishy, don’t trust it. If you should receive any inappropriate or offensive e-mail from a Tailfeathers member, contact a Moderator or Administrator about it. You will need the original offending e-mail that was sent to you, so do NOT delete it!

#8 FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions. Tailfeathers has a list of Frequently Asked Questions-just check that forum! It becomes redundant, and most users will not respond to one. It will save you a LOT of effort to read over the FAQ’s. If your question is not adequately answered there, then feel free to post about it!

#9 Spamming and Flaming

To start, both can get you globally banned on ezboard. Flaming is posting insulting criticisms, name-calling, and rude remarks aimed at a particular user to incite anger. Such as “Well that is a [insert choice expletive] of an opinion, you are a [expletive] of a moron, etc. Spamming is posting repeated identical posts to a wide variety of places- such as asking the same question on each forum, or advertising a website. Spamming is not acceptable at any place on the Internet.