NetiQuette - The Issues

  What is Netiquette?

As the internet developed, as with every community, a set of unwritten rules evolved with it. Sheer numbers of users has long since necessitated a more formal system, and netiquette has been committed to page many times.

Netiquette is enforced only by social pressure and agreement; the internet has no formal means of enforcing such rules. Netiquette mostly applies to email and newsgroups, but there are aspects relevant to the World Wide Web

  What is "Flaming"?

Flaming has come to refer to almost any mail insult. Originating in usenet, flames were carefully honed responses to real or perceived insults; sarcastic, artistic, often literary in allusion. The art has long since disappeared, and flame wars can be abusive, aggressive and unpleasant exchanges in newsgroups, mailing lists and email. They are a serious reminder that it is vital to think before mailing; an insult cannot be withdrawn. Find out more.

  How does copyright work on the Internet?

You'll find a lot of serious twaddle talked about copyright - usually by people who should know better. Copyright applies in the exactly the same way on the internet as in any other medium; material belongs to the person or organisation that created the work, unless and until they choose to waive their rights, or sell them. So anything - text, images or sound - published on the internet belongs to someone.

In almost every country, copying something once, for your own private use, is acceptable and legal. Republishing, selling or claiming ownership is a different matter!

Many websites will allow - even encourage - downloading and copying; some will ask for payment, some will forbid copying. In law, it is usually permissible to use a reasonable amount of the document for the purposes of review, news or discussion. In this case, the original source should be cited. If in doubt, be guided by notices posted on the site.

But be clear - there is no copyright in ideas; if something inspires you - or simply helps you - it's good manners to give credit where it's due.

 Is it safe to purchase via the Internet?

Yes; provided you deal with an organisation that you trust. The chance of fraud or theft is tiny, no higher than paying for a meal in a restaurant or ordering by telephone; probably much lower. Indeed, the risk is so small that many companies, such as Amazon.com, offer a 100% guarantee without hesitation.

People do lose money on the internet, but through fraud rather than hi-tech theft. (Consider; if you had the technology to steal via the internet, would you divert a few pounds from a book purchase, or a few million from a multinational corporation?). Deal with a trusted organisation and you are probably completely safe!

  What is a cookie, and do I need them?

Cookies are items of information about your preferences, that a site can place on your hard drive. Cookies can remember your password, or greet you with a fond and personalised "Welcome Back" message. Many people resent cookies as an invasion of privacy, as they are 'planted' on your computer without you having much control. In practice, however, cookies can save you time getting the information you want from a site, and there is scant evidence of any problem associated with them. Cookie can be refused (through your browser options/preferences).

  Is the Web full of pornography?

There is a lot of pornography on the web; but it is perfectly possible to use the internet without ever seeing any of it.The Internet Content Rating Association has been set up to develop, implement and manage an internationally acceptable voluntary self-rating system which provides internet users world wide with the choice to limit access to content they consider harmful, especially to children.

How this page works ...

This page is to help anyone with an interest in Netiquette - or simply in the use of the internet. If you want to ask a supplementary question, write to me - I do not promise an answer - but I'll help if I can, and may add it to this page.

I welcome your views on the whole idea - did you find it useful?

Caveats and Legal

Nothing stated here applies or should be taken to apply to any particular person or incident. This information DOES NOT take the place of the judgement of an individual human being or good old fashioned courtesy, and no liability can be accepted for the use made of this information - which is published in good faith.

This page is based on materials taken from all over the web. Where possible - and this is rare, as Netiqette is a consensual product - I have identified authors. All reference to individual work should go to the authors, who still own copyright in their words, with my thanks for placing the information in the public domain.  Any errors or design faults are, of course, mine.

There is a "No Whingeing" promise; please feel free to copy and use as you wish, but if you take a page, please give appropriate credit. In return, I promise not to whinge at the free publicity.