We expect other drivers to observe the rules of the road and the same is true as we travel through cyberspace. Here are a few pointers to help you out:

　　Avoid using all caps.
　　IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE SHOUTING!

　　To personalize your messages, you can use smileys, also known as emoticons, expressions you create from the characters on your keyboard. A few popular ones include:  :-) Happy  :-e  Disappointed
:-(  Sad  :-<  Mad
:-o  Surprised  :-D  Laughing
:-@  Screaming  ;-)  Winking
:-I  Indifferent

　　Keep your communications to the point. Some people pay for Internet access by the hour. The longer it takes to read your messages, the more it may cost them. This is true whether you post messages to a newsgroup or a mailing list.

　　Keep in mind that anything you post to a newsgroup or type into a chat session is a public comment. You never know who's reading it, or who may copy it and spread it around.

　　If you're posting a message to a public bulletin board, forum, or newsgroup, stick to the topic. Don't make the mistake of indiscriminately posting advertisements to every newsgroup you can think of. This practice, referred to as spamming, will quickly lead to another unpleasant Internet practice known as flaming. What is flaming? Sometimes you might offend someone unintentionally. Be prepared to receive some angry e-mail or be treated rudely in a public discussion. This is called being flamed. If you attack back, you will spark what is known as a flame war. To contain the heat, the best response usually is no response at all.

　　If you post an ad to a newsgroup, or send it in an e-mail, clearly identify it in the subject line. That way people who aren't interested can delete it.

　　To keep messages short, there are some abbreviations you can use:

　　<BTW> means "by the way."
　　A <G> enclosed in brackets indicates grinning.
　　A good one to keep handy in case you're worried about offending someone is <IMHO> -- In My Humble Opinion.
　　One of our favorites is <ROTFL>, which stands for Rolling on the Floor Laughing.

　　Netiquette isn't something you learn overnight, so don't let your fear of not knowing cyber-protocol hold you back. Some additional resources you can consult include the following:

　　For a short and friendly summary, try the UK Beginners' Guide to Good Manners. For the definitive guide, read Arlene Rinaldi's The Net: User Guidelines and Netiquette.

　　Keep in mind that FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) are very handy documents to read before asking questions. You should always consult them whenever they are available.

　　Responsibility in a Virtual World
　　The Internet is a strange and wonderful network that has made it possible for people all around the world to connect with each other in meaningful ways. Whether for research, education, business, or fun, the Internet has changed how many of us live, work, and play, in ways we may not even be fully aware of.

　　As the Internet continues to evolve, so do the issues that impact the way we use it. Whether you are the consummate hacker or just an occasional driver on the information highway, you play a role in determining the future direction of this road. From privacy, security, and freedom of speech to honesty and consideration in the way we interact with others, we all have a responsibility to preserve and protect its unique character. That means recognizing that while the medium is in many ways a reflection of the physical world, it is in other ways, fundamentally different -- manifesting its own customs and practices.