Response to our Ten Commandments of Email story was so overwhelming that we searched the Web for more email suggestions. Here is what we found:
The Ten Commandments of Email Netiquette
1. Remember that you are interacting with people. Because you
only see letters stringing across a screen, it is easy to forget
or ignore that a person sits on the other side of the network.
This can tempt people to excess verbal boldness or emotional
explosions, leaving readers angry and hurt. Over the Internet,
you should consider yourself as having a face-to-face
conversation with someone in a crowded room. Cursing and raw
abuse are not appropriate. Keep debate civil, and keep it a
debate, not a slanderous brawl. Always remember behind every
email address is another person.
2. Differentiate between public and private messages. The
discussion list is public space. Personal messages, such as
criticism of a person's writing style or new scarf should be sent
to that person only. To broadcast such messages on the list can
embarrass and anger. Messages for everyone on the list go to
listname address. Questions about how the list works (e.g., "How
do I use Digest mode?" and "How do I find out who else is
subscribed to this list?") can generally be answered by issuing a
HELP command to the list server, not your mailing list. General
questions regarding the AYA lists should be directed to AYA.edu
3. Make subject lines descriptive. People should have a flavor
of the message from glancing at the subject line. "Hello," is not
as good as, "Changes in Reunion Schedule."
4. Edit the original message in your replies. When replying to a
message, re-send a few summarizing lines of the original message
so the reader will know immediately what item you are addressing.
The user who receives dozens of messages a day can easily forget
what he wrote a couple days before. However, do not re-send the
entire original message, especially if long, as it might be
unwanted by the receiver and an unnecessary burden for servers.
5. Sign your postings. It is good practice to include a few
lines at the end of your message indicating who you are. And it
is best to keep such electronic signatures reasonably short.
6. Be brief. Say your say succinctly. It will have a greater
impact and more people will read it.
7.Write clearly and logically. Simplicity of expression usually
is best. Sudden poetic bursts intended to impress usually do not
impress, and may bother the reader.
8. Be prudent with speculation. On the Internet, rumor can grow
extravagant and spread like fire. Remarks beginning with, "I have
a feeling that . . ." or, "I think that . . ." are usually
suspect.
9. Be cautious with humor and sarcasm. Typed language is
naturally colder than spoken language, because it is stripped of
voice inflections and body language. Quite easily, humor can be
taken as insult, especially if subtle.
10. Email lists are as good, and only as good, as the subscribers
make them. Lists work best when intelligent people bring fresh
knowledge and ideas to the table. New ideas can stimulate
discussion. Trivial or inane comments often kill discussion.
Write meaty, thoughtful things and everyone will benefit from the
list.
Compiled by Jonathan K. Cohen, Internet Projects, UCI Bookstore, Irvine, CA 92697
email: jkcohen@uci.edu
Published: July 23, 1998
Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.
