Netiquette

Netiquette means net etiquette or, in other words, good online manners.

Making and keeping friends in chat rooms and message boards is much easier if you practise good netiquette. Go on, be polite.

Naturally, respect works both ways, but if you follow this handy guide, you should be able to move through chat with no major fallings-out.

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Minding your manners

The most important thing to remember is that there is a human being behind the text, not just a computer. Think before you type. Is what you're saying likely to cause offence? Is it open to misinterpretation? Don't say anything in a chat room or on a message board that you wouldn't be prepared to say face to face!

Online communication is fast and fun, but you don't have facial expressions and body language to help you convey your message. You can add a little emotion with some smileys and emoticons. Similarly, try not to take offence too quickly at another member's chat or message. Could you have misinterpreted the text? It's possible. Try reading it again, placing emphasis on different words - maybe you missed the true meaning of what was said. If you're not sure, it's fine to check - politely, of course!

TYPING IN CAPS IS HARD TO READ and is considered to be SHOUTING. If you have a point to make, try emphasising particular words rather than whole sentences using bold, italics or CAPS sparingly. You won't make too many friends if you give people a headache!

- Dealing with offensive chat