your @omic guide to netiquette

Netiquette is basically your guide to how to improve your use of the Internet, improve your communication and generally not annoy people.

• newsgroup netiquette
• website netiquette
• email netiquette
• common email shorthand
• smilies

newsgroups netiquette

Don't try selling things in newsgroups unless you have checked the FAQ for that newsgroup and it is clearly identified as being acceptable. If you do be prepared to be 'flamed' this is where everyone on the newsgroup(s) in question sends you one or more emails. You can conceivably get hundreds or thousands of email 'flames' in this way, which will seriously disrupt your email account. It is normally acceptable to reply to a related question with a reply about your product/service. For example if someone asks if anyone knows a good car dealer in Essex and you are at least a car dealer in Essex you can email with your details and main offer which everyone can then see.

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websites netiquette

In many ways it doesn't really matter what you do with your Website because if it isn't very good no one will look at it, or at least not for very long.

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email netiquette

Email is the major way in which the Netizen communicates it is therefore very important a business joining the Internet has at least a cursory understanding of the netiquette. These are the most important rules don't break them.

• Don't write emails all in CAPITALS. In email circles this is shouting at the top of your voice and is very rude - unless you want to shout of course.
  
• Your signature - which appears at the bottom of each email you send (see help in the email package) should be no longer than six or seven lines.
  
• Don't criticise spelling, grammar or punctuation in emails. Email is a very free and easy medium and although written isn't subject to the same standards as a letter for example.
  
• Spam is the term given to sending out hundreds or thousands of un-requested emails. It's not nice so don't do it. It's fine to send information to people who ask for it but don't just send to anyone. The return emails will probably damage your email box anyway.

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common email shorthand

Because email is a fast and furious way of communicating, a shorthand system has developed organically - to make it faster - obviously. Here are some of the most commonly used terms to help you understand what more experienced users are talking about.

• BCNU be seeing you
  
• BTW by the way
  
• FWIW for what it's worth
  
• FYI for your information
  
• IMHO in my humble opinion
  
• OBO or best offer
  
• ROTFL rolling on the floor laughing
  
• RTFM read the funny manual
  
• TNSTAAFL there's no such thing as a free lunch
  
• TTFN ta ta for now
  
• TTYL talk to you later

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