This presentation details the ten core rules of Netiquette that should be covered adapting a code of conduct for a specific area in cyberspace.

1. Netiquette and Code of Conduct in
Communication
Written and presented
by
Dr Carmel Bendon Davis
&
Mr Francis Flores

2. Ten Core Rules of Netiquette
• Remember the Human • Share expert knowledge
• Adhere to the same • Help keep Flame wars
standard of behaviour under control
online that you would
follow in real life • Respect other people's
privacy
• Know where you are in
cyberspace • Don't abuse your power
• Respect other people's • Be forgiving of other
time and bandwidth people's mistakes
• Make yourself look good

3. Remember the Human
Keep in mind the large percentage of human
communication that we do outside of words:
• tone
• cadence
• volume
• facial expression
• directive gestures
• touch

4. • Would I say this to the others' face(s)?
• On a technical note - Internet = network of
networks... all storing and copying... there's
always a record

5. Adhere to the same real life standard of
behaviour online
• Netiquette is about good online manners, not about
absolutes or rules on digital ethics.
• When in doubt, consult the code you follow in real life.
• Ask the question:
If this was not a digital medium but a letter to someone, or some
organisations bulletin board dealing with real assets that involve
real work. What would I do then?
• Chances are good you'll find the answer.

6. Know where you are in cyberspace
• Netiquette is adapted and adjusted from
community to community
• explore or 'lurk' in the environment and the
culture before you interact with the members
• When you begin to interact, introduce yourself
as a new member and put on your beginners
hat. You will learn quicker and others will help
you and inform you.

7. Respect Other People's time
and Bandwidth
• Remember that communication via the net requires that
information to be downloaded for it to be read or viewed.
• get to the point; optimise your post structure so that the
more detailed material comes after overviewing the
content if you need to post a large amount
• resize your images if you want to share it. As a note
1280x1024 if large enough an image to be quickly
displayed on any computer screen - anything more than
that can be made available as an optional link.

8. You are not the centre of cyberspace.
• when you copy someone on a message, you ask
for their time and attention, ask yourself twice if
they really need to be part of the
communications.
• ensure posted material is relevant to the
majority/entire audience especially when
publishing/posting files and images to the group.

9. Make yourself look good online
• Your online image depends heavily on the words
that you put together.
• Practise impeccable spelling, grammar and
punctuation especially in a professional
development and online learning context.

10. • Keep your contribution clear and logical. Make
sure your language is inviting of a dialogue and
not exclusive to other participants.
• Be polite and pleasant.
• refrain from the use of offensive language - if
you find it necessary to express - censor it with
$?*# ! You've already conveyed your strong
feelings enough.

11. Share expert knowledge
• Asking questions in an online community works.
The internet works because of the reach of a
'network of networks'.
• Every participant has something to offer and an
experience to that others can learn from.
Somebody is bound to have an answer or an
insight.
• Develop community understanding by
contributing your knowledge in addressing a
question that has been posed in one of your
communities.

12. Help keep flame wars under control
• Expressing strong feelings about
something is healthy for a discusion group
especially when a new idea is tabled.
• open for people to express strong
objections
• posts can get malicious and personally
offensive.

13. • it can be counter-productive for everyone
when not resolved or controlled
• get back to the program as quickly as
possible.
• agree to disagree so that other
participants aren't hindered by heated
banter or slander.

14. Respect other people’s privacy
People do forget how accessible information is on
the internet - don't capitalise on their blunders.
Passwords get shared for convenience. etc...
• do not read email that is not addressed to you.
• let people know when they have published or
posted sensitive information
• it also keeps the discussion forum neater and
more relevant to all.

15. Don’t abuse your power
As moderator or admin staff you are given more
privilege than other participants of the discussion
forum.
• be responsible in exercising power, make the
experience equitable for all participants.
• additional rights does not mean you disregard
the etiquette and rules governing network
communications.
• enforce the core rules of netiquette.

16. Be forgiving of other people’s mistake
Be considerate of others users'
level/expertise of online etiquette.
• always new beginners and beginners will
make errors - be kind
• give all users the benefit of the doubt
• correct discreetly and be encouraging