Email Etiquette
In order to effeciently communicate on the Internet it is critical
to understand the unwritten rules of email communication. Please
use these tips as a guideline to online email communication.
1.) Unless you are using encryption, Internet E-mail is not
secure.
2.) Do not use all capitals in email exchanges, it is
considered SHOUTING and is considered rude.
3.) Keep in mind that the Internet is international, words
and humor can be perceived differently by different cultures.
4.) When replying to messages be aware of "cc:" field.
Recipients listed in the "cc:" field will receive a copy of the
post. (The "bcc:" field sends messages blind, meaning recipients
don't know that someone else has received a copy of the email or
been carbon copied)
5.) Use emoticons :-) or <g> to indicate expression.
6.) When forwarding email be sure not to create a loop in the
system. In addition, be sure not to setup auto-responders to reply
to every email, or endless loops will be created.
7.) There can be costs associated with Internet connectivity
and downloading emails. Do not send attachments that take a long
time to download, without the recipients consent.
8.) Include in the "subject" line a heading that relates to
the message body.
9.) Use 4-6 lines for your signature line, this is an
opportunity to highlight your business or company information, but
don't be ostentatious..
Mailing Lists & Newsgroup Etiquette
In order to participate in news groups, you must have an
understanding of newsgroup etiquette.
1.) Be familiar with lists/newsgroups prior to posting, read
posting.
2.) Keep in mind that newsgroups and mailing lists are frequently
archived and that posts will be preserved.
3.) If you are replying to a message be sure to include the
text of the original message which you are replying to. Use ">"
indicators if your mail program does not do this for you.
4.) Don't get involved in flame wars (or material which is
personal and unproductive).
5.) Keep in mind that the Internet is international, words
and humor can be perceived differently by different cultures.
6.) Use 4-6 lines for your signature line, this is an
opportunity to highlight your business or company information, but
don't be ostentatious..
7.) When responding to a post, keep the subject line the
same, so that it will appear in the same thread.
8.) Cross posting to multiple lists is often prohibited.
Read posting guidelines.
9.) Expect delays in moderated forums, each posting must be
approved.
10.) Anonymous posts are unaccepted in many newsgroups.
11.) Be aware that some people use aliases when posting to
Usenet groups to avoid SPAM (unsolicited email). Also keep in mind
that anything goes on unmoderated Usenet.
12.) Most lists don't allow for binary attachments.
Resources -
Library of Emoticons -
http://www.instant-messaging-software.com/instant-messaging-emoticons.htm
Library of Email Acronyms -
http://www.email-software.org/email-acronyms.htm
Email Client Software -
http://www.messaging-software.net/e-mail-client-software.htm
About the Author -
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc.
http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric
paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other sites
by Sharon can be found at
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com , and
http://www.small-business-software.net
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