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Online etiquette (or netiquette) refers to a variety of standing rules or standards which govern a particular site, forum, or chatroom (Wikipedia, 2005. "Netiquette"). These rules extend from refraining from offensive language to typing words that are grammatically correct, and not an abbreviated version (such as typing “you�? instead of “u�?.) This relates to Online Dating because there is a lot of text “conversation�? that flows between online partners, and politeness is often mandatory on professional dating sites.
Online etiquette applies to a variety of online, or virtual, spaces, which include Usenet, mailing lists, message boards or forums, some chatrooms, and personal and professional emails. However, the level of standards applied to these virtual communication places will vary from each other, and can be largely dependent upon who runs the site or chatroom, and who uses the site or chatroom. For example, abbreviations are more tolerated in instant relay chat, because the abbreviations are quicker to write than the complete word (Wikipedia, 2005. "Netiquette").
A common online rule in chatrooms and forums is that users must refrain from offensive language, must not defame a group, and must not post sexually explicit material without the express permission of the site’s owner/s and must place a clear warning for other users to read before they access the explicit material. On most occasions, a breach of these rules can result in the offense-giving user being blocked from using the chatroom or forum again.
Online etiquette can also extend to refraining from typing all letters in capitals when posting on a forum, writing an email, or engaging in chat. A common complaint is that text that is in capital letters is extremely difficult to read for extended periods of time. Other readibility rules can include using a colour font that provides strong contrast with the background, limiting the use of italics, underlining, and bold text, and keeping the size of the font to a standard level so it is neither too small or too large to read (Goldberg, 2005).
Other general etiquette on the Internet can include:
Increasing popularity of the Internet, World Wide Web, and online communication in general has increased the need for a set of standard rules for users to adhere to. Just as there are polite standards when dealing with others in the physical world, there is also a call to be polite online as well.
However, there is still a large amount of users who do not adhere to netiquette either due to lack of experience and knowledge of the standards, or due to a negative personality. Often times, these users are chastised by other users on the same forum or mailing list, and offending users commonly stop posting after being told the rules.
Virginia Shea is one of the most prominent advocates of netiquette, and has earned the nickname of "Ms. Manners" of the Internet (Albion Books, 1996). Her book Netiquette (ISBN 0963702513) is a guide to the varieties of online etiquette that have been developed over time on the Internet.
Online Dating - Stigma of Online Dating
Albion Books (1996) "Virginia Shea" retrieved October 12, 2005, from http://www.albion.com/VirginiaShea.html
Goldberg, G. (2005) "Online Etiquette" retrieved October 18, 2005, from http://www.aarp.org/learntech/computers/life_online/online_etiquette.html
Wikipedia. (2005) "Netiquette" retrieved October 12, 2005, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netiquette
Lisa Irving 11:49, 19 Oct 2005 (EST)
