PRIMER:
Overview
Netiquette
E-mail/Chat
Mailing Lists
Newsgroups
FTP File Transfer
Telnet
Gopher
Websites/Web Search
Cite Sources
Make A Bookmark Page
Create A Home Page
Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Inc.
The Genealogist's Internet Primer, by Sharon L. Brevoort
Netiquette
Names and Pseudonyms
Many people use an alias or pseudonym online. This is ok, but before joining a discussion, watch for awhile before deciding whether or not to use one. It may be considered impolite to use any name other than your real name. For logon ids, a common convention is to use your first initial followed by your last name, such as HPIERCE, instead of using a pseudonym.
Your Signature
In signing off at the end of an e-mail message, as in writing a letter, your name (or pseudonym) is sufficient. For a newsgroup submission, add your e-mail address below your name. Some people like to add a favorite motto or quotation; others add a line drawing from characters that can be typed from a keyboard. If a list of surnames is included, keep it very short; it is better to reference surnames by giving your website address. For newsgroups and mailing lists do not include surnames in your signature since this interferes with the archiving process. If your e-mail program allows you to set up a signature file, make the first line a blank so that you don't need to add a blank line at the bottom of every e-mail message, and make your signature four lines or less.
Keep your subject title specific.
If you want correspondents to read your e-mail, select an appropriate and succinct title. Just the word "Hello" is too vague - it could be a message from a mass mailer and your recipient could decide to delete your message before bothering to read it.
Cover only a single topic per message and keep it short.
This facilitates indexing, forwarding, and replying, and makes the best use of your readers' time. And some people may be charged for the number and/or length of the e-mail messages they receive. For the same reasons, don't write a reply that only says "thank you" or "I agree". It is better to say "thanks in advance" (TIA) when asking a question than to say thank you later.
Don't use italics, underlines, or other special characters.
Use commonly available letters and punctuation that any e-mail system can handle. Use *asterisks* or _underlines_ before and after the text to set off an underlined or italicized word or title. Instead of quotation marks, use a greater than sign (>). This is often used at the beginning of each line to quote the relevant portions of the original message to which you are replying.
Use mixed case; show surnames in capital letters.
Messages written only in upper case letters appear to be shouting at the recipient. Surnames, however, should be capitalized to tand out.
Cite your sources.
Supply references to books and/or libraries, to e-mail, website, and/or mailing addresses. Type it carefully or use a cut-and-paste technique to ensure accuracy. Don't post copyrighted material; don't quote copyrighted material without citing its source.
Listen before you speak.
Take some time to hang out in a chat group, newsgroup, or mailing list to get accustomed to the group's standards and expectations.
Think before you send; use courtesy, diplomacy and common sense.
Your words are your verbal self-portrait which may be seen by an audience of hundreds, so select words carefully. Keep your message simple and straightforward. Stick to issues. Be polite and respectful; avoid arguments and insults online. If you forget to practice this rule, expect to receive plenty of feedback! Send personal e-mail instead if the message warrants. If you receive criticism, take it in stride and don't just react emotionally. Respect the privacy rights of living persons and avoid posting personal information.
Check FAQs before asking commonly asked questions; check other responses before responding to someone else's question.
If an organization provides a FAQ (list of frequently asked questions and answers), read it before asking simple questions. No need to duplicate effort and waste readers' time.
Express humor, attitude, and emotion with emoticons to make your meaning clear.
Using the words is ok, too, and don't be shy about asking what one means if it is new to you. Here are some of the more common shortcuts you will find online in chat groups, newsgroups, mailing lists, and occasionally in e-mail. More smiley's can be found at Internet Smileys and EFF's The Unofficial Smiley Dictionary.
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Symbol 8 on and face B on any face - in the middle of a face :| :-| :^) :^( : ) :-) B-) <s> <S> ; ) ;-) :@) <g> <G> <BG> <grin> *grin* :-D 8-D {} {}{}{} {{{{{}}}}} :*) : ( :-( B-( ;( ;-( :'-( ;.(.. :-/ :'( :/ :-] |-( |-0 |-I :o :-o ;-o B-o %-| 8) 8-) >:-( :|| 8-|| 8O :@ :-@ 8-( 8-( 8-0 :-> :P :-P :-p ;-P ;-p B-P |-I 0:) 0:-) ::looking puzzled:: ::wave to all:: Acronym AFAIK AFK AISI ASAP B4 BAK BOT BRB BTW F2F FWIW FYI G,D&R GIGO GMTA HTH IMO IMCO IMHO KISS LOL, LOLOLOL NRN OIC OK, K OTOH PMFJI RBTL ROFL, ROTFL ROTM TANSTAAFL TIA TTFN WTG YGBK Symbol =|:-)= |) (_)3 @}--->-->--- |
Emotion (face wearing glasses) (face wearing shades) (nose) Expressionless, not talking Happy profile; Unhappy profile Smiling (Don't take me too seriously.) Smiling/winking (tongue-in-cheek) Happy as a pig Grinning, big grin Laughing Hug; Lots of hugs; Great big hug Kiss Frowning, upset (Ugh! I don't like it!) Frowning/winking or crying (something distasteful said tongue-in-cheek) Crying, sad Wry, ambivalent, or scowling Frustrated Sarcasm Star Trek fan, Trekkie Tired and grumpy; Yawning; Sleeping Shocked or surprised (Oh!) Confused Bug-eyed; Wide-eyed Angry; Annoyed Angry; Yelling Angry; Screaming Concerned; Terrified; Scared Evil grin, devilish grin, or smirk With tongue stuck out (Yuck!) Asleep Angel Any expression, emotion, ...and/or action Phrase As far as I know Away from keyboard As I see it As soon as possible Before Back at keyboard Back on topic Be right back By the way Face to face For what it's worth For your information Grinning, ducking, and running Garbage in, garbage out Great minds think alike Hope this helps In my opinion In my considered opinion In my humble opinion Keep it simple stupid Laughing out loud No reply necessary Oh, I see Okay On the other hand Pardon me for jumping in Read between the lines Rolling on the floor laughing Right on the money There ain't no such thing as a free lunch Thanks in advance Ta-ta for now Way to go You gotta be kidding Meaning (Abe Lincoln) (Star Trek fan, Trekkie) (A cup of coffee or tea) (A rose) |
The Genealogist's Internet Primer:
Overview | Netiquette | E-mail/Chat | Mailing Lists | Newsgroups | FTP | Telnet
Gopher | Websites | Cite Sources | Bookmark Page | Create Home Page
Permission to print a single copy for personal use is granted.
http://www.hvcn.org/info/gswc/primer/netiquette.htm
Revised 15 October 2007. Send comments or changes to Sharon at wwwgswc@aol.com.
Images © Corel Corporation.