What is Netiquette?

Netiquette is a etiquette on the Internet and is generally based on The Golden Rules. For example, typing an e-mail message in all caps is considered poor Netiquette because it means the author is shouting.

Netiquette is used the most when sending or distributing e-mail, posting on Usenet groups or chatting. Practices such as spamming and flaming are definitely poor Netiquette.

Some Netiquette practices include the following:

DON'T SHOUT!
Typing in all caps is the equivalent of shouting. While it can be used for emphasis, it is extremely rude to type an entire message IN ALL CAPS!

Read the FAQ
On many web pages and newsgroups you'll find a FAQ, or a "Frequently Asked Questions" section. Look before you leap by reading FAQs. Before responding to a newsgroup or emailing the author of a web page, take a bit of time to read the FAQ so you'll better understand where you are.

Be Brief
Don't write a thesis in chat, emails, or newsgroup postings.

Don't Blow Smoke
Know what you're talking about, don't spread rumors.

Don't Throw Flames!
A "flame" is an email or a posting to a newsgroup or mailing list that attacks another person or group of people, often with personal insults. People flame for a variety of reasons. Sometimes discussions of emotional issues in newsgroups degenerate into angry name-calling. Sometimes new user postings to a newsgroup are flamed for not being familiar with the content of the discussion or not showing proper Netiquette. And sometimes people flame one another because they are aggressive, rude, or short-tempered.

Don't Troll
Trolling is saying things just to stir the pot and illicit a response or to get people angry and upset. This type of behavior is the quickest way to get banned from a channel.