Technology Information

Netiquette
The following text is an excerpt from Internet Instant Reference by Paul E. Hoffman.

"Every society has rules, or at least understandings, between its members. The Internet, being a very new and diverse society, does not have many actual rules, but it has evolved some general guidelines for etiquette. Understanding the Internet's etiquette guidelines (sometimes jokingly referred to as netiquette will help you get along with others on the Internet. Of course, different people would list different sets of rules. This list is shorter than most, but it hopefully embodies the general tone that you might find on the Internet.

Don't assume that because you can do something, you should do it. There are fewer restrictions on the Internet than the average user might be comfortable with.

Respect others' privacy. With little security on the Internet, many people already feel a bit violated, and making them feel more so will make the Internet a less friendly place to be.

When posting to a Usenet group or a mailing list, remember that there may be 100 people who read messages for every person who actually posts them. Think about whether what you are posting is something you would want to be read by a newcomer, your parents, your children, or yourself ten years from now.

Be considerate of Internet resources. When using anonymous ftp or telnet, try to avoid busy times on the system so that people with more immediate needs are not shut out. Do as much as you can on your local computer before using Internet resources.

Take responsibility for what you say so that others will feel obliged to do the same. The Internet offers a great deal of anonymity, but that weakens the social bond between the people using it.

Remember that there are people on the Internet from all different social backgrounds. A great example of this is that many Americans forget that "freedom of speech" is not the law in most countries. Don't assume that others on the Internet have the same rights and responsibilities as you, and learn from that."