Netiquette

Benjaporn Anruechai In any online learning environments, teachers and students may face the ethical issues. Net etiquette or netiquette is the first element to be learned. Netiquette is derived from “network” or “Internet” “etiquette”. Netiquette refers to online etiquette which concerns the use of proper manners and display of appropriate behavior online (“What does Netiquette Mean?”2011). Additionally, netiquette covers the social rules of the Internet that users should use to interact with applications of text, voice, graphics, and video content (“The Rule of Netiquette”, 2011). **History of Netiquette**
 * In October 15th 1983, the word, “Netiquette” is used in a post in the “Dear Emily”, satirical Postnews column.
 * Text-based e-mail, Telnet, Usenet, Gopher, Wais, and FTP from educational and research data cause the Internet traffic.
 * Some impolite communications show up.
 * From 1988 an alternate Usenet netiquette guide is placed (“Netiquette: history”, 2011).
 * In 1989, E-mail gateways were set up, which opened the way for more communications, and allowed the creation of discussion groups and E-mail lists by CompuServe and MCI (Yevics, 1999).


 * Current State, Problems & Solutions **

Netiquette refers to etiquette on the Internet. Netiquette includes the dos and don’ts of online communication. Accepted netiquette involves respecting other’s privacy and not doing anything online that might be rude toward other online users. There are three areas where accepted netiquette is highly focused: e-mail, online chat, and newsgroups (“Technology Solutions for Teaching and Research”, 2011).

According to the all-embracing use of the Internet today, email and online chat have become multiplex. Children, youngsters, and adults spend a good part of their day networking with others on the Internet.

As a result, it is essential for users to know both general rules of netiquette and certain specific areas of netiquette. The different netiquette guidelines in each circumstance are available for users to review before joining a group or community. However, there are some general rules that are loosely followed throughout most of the on-line community.

For example: people or organizations that spam other users with unwanted e-mail. Additionally, there are netiquette rules that cover areas of consumer protection from Internet e-mail scams, chain letters, pyramid schemes, get rich quick offers, etc. Most of these scams request that their victims voluntarily give personal information like credit card numbers, or other information, that can be used to illegally obtain money.

Likewise, there are netiquette rules that concern ethical issues such as hacking, plagiarism, copyright, graffiti, spam, viruses, on-line auctions, and so on.

To avoid social faux pas, while using instant messaging like “tweeting” on Twitter or on-line chatting on Facebook, one should be aware of these crucial proper netiquette rules by Chiles (2011) should are reminded by the users:
 * Learn the basic rules of the community you are in.
 * Introduce yourself before beginning a chat.
 * Understand the proper use of emoticons.
 * Check spelling and proof read before posting. Do not use all caps when chatting or posting, THIS IS CONSIDERED SHOUTING!
 * Don’t lie, but don’t give out too much personal information either.
 * Be yourself on-line. Do not frame.
 * Stay away from spam.
 * Be conservative in e-mail you send.
 * Do not send e-mail late at night, this could wake up the recipient.
 * Shop only on secure websites.
 * Use good judgment when sharing information on-line.

Netiquette implies polite manners when people in society interact with one another. It can help to form friendly bonds between people. Using proper netiquette shows people that you respect them. Conversely, not using proper netiquette may hurt people’s feelings or cause others to have a low opinion of you. It is important to be familiar with the netiquette of the visited area (“Netiquette rules, 2011”).

Finally, it is important to remember that everything you ever type and post on any chat site, or discussion group, will most likely live on forever, on the Internet. You may never be able to remove a badly placed comment or something you posted in the middle of a heated argument. It will always be out there, with your name on it. The best netiquette rules can be borrowed from normal, polite social behavior: Never do or say anything on the Internet that you wouldn’t want your family or potential employer to know about, because chances are, they will.


 * Links for Future Information:**

Internet Ethics and Etiquette: [] Introduction to Network Etiquette: [] The Ten Commandments of E-mail Netiquette: [] Tip for Net Etiquette: http://[|www.blackboxsocialmedia.com/tips-for-net-etiquette]// //Why is Etiquette Important?:[| http://www.innovateus.netinnopedia/why-etiquette-important]//

**References** //Chiles,D. (2011). The ten core rules of netiquette. Retrieved from [|www.networktiquette.net] link// // [] // //Netiquette: History. (2011). Retrieved from [] // //Netiquette rules. (2011). Retrieved from [] // //Etiquette-7805.html// //Technology solutions for teaching and research. (2011). Retrieved from [|http://www] .// //Academictech.doit.wisc.edu/online-teaching-resources/communication/encouraging-// //Participation-online-collab// //The rules of netiquette. (2011). Retrieved from [|http://www.networktiquette.net] // //What does netiquette mean? (2011). Retrieved from [] // //netiquette-mean.htm// //Yevics, P. (1999). Netiquette-what is it and why should you care? Retrieved from http:// [|www.msba.org/departments/loma/articles/officemngmt/netiquette.asp]