Conclusion

While inappropriate communication and behavior can never be entirely avoided, the rules of netiquette offer a great guideline for online communication. They offer a new Internet user an outline for what is professional and what is not and they help to ease some of the stresses that technology can provide. The establishment of such principles and norms is a wonderful example of how a community is created and self-regulating and also how popular technology is becoming in everyone's life. As technology continues to evolve and change, so does the netiquette and social norms, but for now they seem to suffice.

Bad Netiquette

While most users try to avoid bad netiquette in themselves and others it still does occur. In fact, some of the electronic mediums that report high amounts of undesirable behavior (chat rooms and MUDs) actually state specific rules in their policies that address this undesirable behavior(Pankoke-Babatz & Jeffrey, 2002) . Some of the negative behaviors mentioned by Pankoke-Babatz & Jeffrey (2002) are:

1. Impersonating others
2. Unlawful, abusive, harrassing, defammatory, threatening, racially or ethnically hateful transmission of information
3. Sexually explicit images or content
4. Spamming
5. Flaming

For more information on bad netiquette see these links:

Electronic Mail Netiquette; Consequences

http://www.cv.nrao.edu/~pmurphy/Talks/e-mail/part_03.shtml

Learning Cyberlaw in Cyberspace

http://www.cyberspacelaw.org/loren/phase3.html

References

Pankoke-Babatz, U., & Jeffrey, P. (2002). Documented Norms and Conventions on the Internet. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 14, 2, pp.219-235, [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 19, 2006 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=40&hid=2&sid=abe83363-acba-41d5-b692-68c2c2dbb690%40sessionmgr9

When not to communicate electronically

While email is beneficial nearly at all times, there are times in a business environment where face-to-face communication is better. According to Hughes (2003), “controversial or negative information is best delivered in person to minimize the possibility of miscommunication” (para. 3).

Also, negotiations are better off done in person considering that according to Library Mosaics, an estimated 81% of face-to-face negotiations reach a resolution while 50% of negotiations done electronically hit a dead end (2003, p. 27).

Another thing to consider when choosing what communication medium is best for the message is length. A face-to-face conversation can sometimes be better then overwhelming a coworker with emails (Hughes, 2003).

References

Hughes, L. (2003). E-mail Etiquette: Think Before You Send. Women in Business, 55, 4, pp. 29, [Electronic Version]. Retrieved Novemeber 19, 2006 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=12&hid=2&sid=abe83363-acba-41d5-b692-68c2c2dbb690%40sessionmgr9.

Library Mosaics (2003), 14, 4, pp. 27, [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 19, 2006 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=22&hid=2&sid=abe83363-acba-41d5-b692-68c2c2dbb690%40sessionmgr9.

Preece, Jenny. (2004). Etiquette Online: From Nice to Necessary. Communications of the ACM, 47, 4, pp. 56-61, [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 19, 2006 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=16&hid=2&sid=abe83363-acba-41d5-b692-68c2c2dbb690%40sessionmgr9.

Basic Rules of Netiquette

While there are many netiquette rules, here are the ten basic rules according to the website for the DaimlerChrysler National Training Center:

1.) Write a meaningful subject line. A descriptive subject line helps people who receive hundreds of message be able to filter which ones are important.
2.) Keep it short. You can skip formalities. The rule here is less is better.
3.) Avoid using ALL CAPS. Using all caps on the Internet means you are shouting at someone.
4.) Use your judgment with attachments. Large attachments can be frustrating to download. Also, be weary of attachments needing special programs to be able to open them.
5.) P-r-o-o-f-r-e-a-d. Reread your email in addition to doing a spell check in order to spot grammatical errors too.
6.) Be careful what you say. Do not assume that your email is seen only by the recipient.
7.) Reply promptly. It makes a good impression, even if it is just an acknowledgement that the email was received.
8.) Pay attention to formatting. Resist the temptation to go crazy with fonts, sizes, and colors. Some computers cannot read certain formats and the message can get lost.
9.) Don’t be flame happy. While angry and abusive emails will tend to occur, try to avoid them. We will go into further detail about flaming later.
10.) Reply to or forward an email to which you are referring. This will help recipients be able to know the context in which they should read your response.

Here are some other rules of Netiquette given by Sullivan (2002):

1.) Know when to shut up. 2.) Don’t ask about a email you just sent.
3.) Don’t use instant messaging for long messages.
4.) Send a message before you drop in.
5.) Log off instant messaging when you are not using it.

Other online netiquette guides:

The Net User Guidelines and Netiquette by Arlene H. Rindaldi, Flordia Atlantic University.

http://www.fau.edu/rinaldi/netiquette.html

Netiquette Guidelines by S. Hambridge, Intel Corporation.

http://nis.nsf.net/internet/documents/fyi/fyi28.txt

References

Goett, J.A., Foote, K.E. (2000). Cultivating Student Research and Study Skills in Web-based Learning Environments. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 24, 1, pp.92-99, [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 19, 2006 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=39&hid=2&sid=abe83363-acba-41d5-b692-68c2c2dbb690%40sessionmgr9.

Sullivan, B. (2002). Netiquette. Computerworld, 36, 48-49.

DaimlerChrysler National Training Center Homepage. Retrieved from: http://www.learnntc.com/tools/ComputerBasics/computerTenRules.cfm

What is Netiquette?

Netiquette refers to etiquette in electronic communication (the net). With technology and Internet use growing and evolving at exponential rates, these rules and guidelines are essential in a business environment. Not too long ago it seemed like online communication occurred only amongst a small community, yet in today’s society, electronic communication is essential for successful careers and social lives. One report done by the U.S Department of Commerce estimates that more then half of nation today is online (Sullivan, 2006) and these millions of people are communicating across all boundaries (geographical, age, cultural, etc.) in ways that were never possible in the past. “These Internet users come from many cultures and walks of life. They arrive with a mix of expectations using a variety of technologies, which they access in different ways” (Preece, 2004, p.56). People are forming new virtual communities all of the time through shared ideas instead of physical location (Pankoke-Babatz & Jeffery, 2002) and just like physical communities adapt their own culture and principles for polite communication, virtual communities do the same. The lack of face-to-face communication, however, can make virtual communities prone to unique problems due to the lack of non-verbal cues. Without guidelines to guide online behavior and minimize communication problems, the consequences could result from anywhere to upset feelings to legal troubles.

References

Pankoke-Babatz, U., & Jeffery, P. (2002). Documented Norms and Conventions on the Internet. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 14, 2, pp.219-235, [Electronic Version]. Retreived November 19, 2006 from
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=40&hid=2&sid=abe83363-acba-41d5-b692-68c2c2dbb690%40sessionmgr9.

Preece, J. (2004). Etiquette Online: From Nice to Necessary. Communications of the ACM, 47, 4, pp. 56-61, [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 19, 2006 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=7&hid=101&sid=d1208530-5f2e-4481-b33d-90b66885899a%40sessionmgr104.

Sullivan, B. (2002) Netiquette. Computerworld, 36, 48-49.