Principles of Netiquette

[Sazerac]

This is an article I just finished writing for our school's newsletter. Being that this is Valentine's week (thinking of others) and in light of some of the recent happenings here on the forum, I wanted to share it with you and see what you think. Please feel free to give your comments on it.

Thanks,
Saz

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The Principles of Netiquette

Paris Soulier, Networking Instructor



Has this ever happened to you? You’re in a chatroom or on a discussion forum, and someone posts something that could be considered offensive. Someone else gets angry at the remark, and all of a sudden a “flame war” erupts with several people hurling insults and hurtful remarks at one another.

“Cyber-rage” has become more pervasive than road-rage, as many people take to the Internet to chat with others or to share ideas in a forum setting. Sadly enough, all too often what would ordinarily be a pleasant interaction online turns to upset and stress as miscommunication and misinterpretations hold full sway in an online fracas. Many people who would never be rude in a face-to-face setting with another person have no problems insulting and denigrating another person in an online setting. Just like its cousin road-rage, cyber-rage is fueled by anonymity and an illusion that you’re actually talking to a machine rather than another human being.

There are those who actively seek to cause disruption in chatrooms and online forums by engaging in “trolling” behavior. “Trolling” is the act of purposefully and willfully putting out a statement or comment designed to provoke an antagonistic response. The best treatment of such individuals is to pointedly ignore them, and by doing so starve them of the attention that they so desperately and pathetically seek. If the problem persists, one may alert a moderator or admin (website administrator) to handle the situation.

The more insidious problem, though, is with those who are normally well-balanced, pleasant individuals, but have skins of onions when they get online. Any perceived slight, any potentially fraught comment is immediately taken the wrong way and the person rears up in high mettle, ready to do cyber-battle. Because e-mail and other online methods of communication are predominantly written in form, one may miss subtle, non-verbal cues as to a joke and take the person as dead serious. Emoticons, such as the wink and smiley face [img]smile.gif[/img] help deliver these cues a little, but they still lack substance in delivering the true emotions involved in the statement. Add to that an international arena with different cultural perspectives, and you have a breeding ground of miscommunication and misunderstanding ready to run rampant.

This is where Netiquette comes in . “Netiquette” is simply online etiquette, and is based on a derivation of the Golden Rule: “Treat others online as you would wish them to treat you online.” Or, better yet, “treat others online as you would wish to be treated in the real world.” Here are some common Netiquette principles:

[*]Always remember the person you are talking to is a real live human being, made of flesh and blood, with thoughts, emotions, desires, likes, dislikes, and opinions. Treat them as if they were standing in front of you, rather than hiding behind a computer screen and a network.[*]Always give your fellow chatters or discussers the benefit of the doubt. As the old saying goes, “If there are two ways to take something, I meant the good way.” It’s hard to express yourself in writing sometimes, so give others the same leeway you’d hope they’d give you for making goofs and gaffes.[*]Develop a backbone. Don’t be so sensitive to criticism and perceived slights. What you may take as an outward affront on your character may be just a passing observation by someone else who may not have expressed themselves as well as they should. Sometimes people are just joking, or trying to get you to lighten up. Also remember that not everyone is of your culture or background, and may have trouble expressing themselves in a different language. [*]Refrain from criticizing others as much as possible. Don’t correct others’ grammar and spelling, unless you are willing to have the same done to you by others. Again, remember non-native speakers and writers of a language having to struggle with arcane grammatical rules and spellings. Others may have a learning disability, but may be otherwise brilliant. Both Albert Einstein and Agatha Christie were so dyslexic that they had to have secretaries to transcribe their works into readable form, but oh, what treasures they gave us! [*]Treat others with respect, regardless of your feelings. If tempted to make a sharp retort to someone online, think twice, or three times. Count to ten, take a break, get a coke, whatever you need to do to calm down. It’s not worth it. And if all else fails, remember what your mamma taught you: “If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all.”[/list]

Practicing these principles on a regular basis may not guard you from “cyber-rage” from others, but it will minimize the likelihood of you getting caught up in the middle of a flame war. Remember: online interaction with others is to have fun, not to score points or win wars.


Happy surfing!

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[Kaltia]

Heey, pretty good article, Sazerac! Good idea publishing it in the school newspaper too-everyone reads mine 'cause they have nothing else to dow ith it
Nethertheless, very good article and appropiate to here *cough,flush*

[arion windrider]

i agree with that saz.. we get caught up with all real world stuff that we bring it to a peaceful forum and just blow up at everyone.. we are here to have fun and leave our not so peaceful lives on the outside...we all have opinion on topics but just dont slam your opinion down others throats.. i know most ppl will do this online cuz of no consquences for action except being barred from chatting... oh well

[Aelia Jusa]

Originally posted by Sazerac: “Cyber-rage” has become more pervasive than road-rage, as many people take to the Internet to chat with others or to share ideas in a forum setting. Sadly enough, all too often what would ordinarily be a pleasant interaction online turns to upset and stress as miscommunication and misinterpretations hold full sway in an online fracas. Many people who would never be rude in a face-to-face setting with another person have no problems insulting and denigrating another person in an online setting. Just like its cousin road-rage, cyber-rage is fueled by anonymity and an illusion that you’re actually talking to a machine rather than another human being.

Great article Saz! And I agree with the bit I quoted, but I also think that, for some people cyber-rage isn't that they dehumanise other people online, but that it's safe to be angry and rude and offensive, because what can they do in retaliation? If they were face to face, their opponent could punch them, or otherwise hurt them, online, they can do nothing. Similarly, though probably less so, in road rage, their being in a car makes them feel safer and less vulnerable to violent reaction to their antagonism.

Hope you're feeling better these days too [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 02-10-2003, 04:40 PM: Message edited by: Aelia Jusa ]

[Kakero]

how about sticking that into the rules and regulation?

[Cloudbringer]

Great article, Sazzie! Very timely and very well done!

[Sazerac]

Thanks, guys! Yep, this is definitely a "keeper" for our newsletter. I appreciate the feedback.

Aelia, thanks for the kind sentiment. I'm feeling a lot better these days; I just have a brickload of stuff to catch up on now! [img]graemlins/uhoh1.gif[/img] This newsletter is just one of the things I have to get out but quick. Oh, well, nothing like multiple deadlines to properly motivate someone, eh?

Cheers,
-Sazerac

[Attalus]

Hi, Saz, great article and I, too, am glad to see you online again. I hear that the Wizards and Warriors Forum was degenerating into a flamewar without you, j/k. [img]graemlins/blueblink.gif[/img]

[Mouse]

Very nicely put. This deserves a wide distribution [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[Charlie]

Very well written Saz'. You ever considered a job in a school? [img]smile.gif[/img]

Good Job.