Lakeland College

Online Program Platforms

Lakeland College Online platforms portals:

Blackboard: http://lakeland.blackboard.com

Netiquette Guidelines

1. Carefully read what you receive to make sure that you understand the message.
2. Carefully read what you send, to make sure that your message will not be misunderstood.
3. If you are using humor or sarcasm, make sure to clearly label it as such. Humor should be indicated by an "emoticon." For example: 8) ;-) :-). And please remember, well intended sarcasm is seldom effective online.
4. Remember that the absence of cues associated with face-to-face communication provides for an environment where it's easy to misunderstand what is being said.
5. Know your audience. Make sure that the person or people to whom you are sending your message are the appropriate one(s) with whom to communicate.
6. Be tolerant of newcomers. None of us was born knowing all.
7. Do not abuse new users of computer networks for their lack of knowledge. Be patient as they first learn to crawl, then walk.
8. Avoid cluttering your messages with excessive emphasis (such as stars, arrows and the like). It could make the message hard to follow.
9. If you are responding to a message, either include the relevant part of the original message in your message, or make sure you unambiguously refer to the contents of the original message. It's very possible that people will read your reply to the message before they read the original. Do not quote more than necessary to make your point clear. And please do not quote the entire message.
10. Be specific, especially when asking questions.
11. Always, always put your name in the text of your message, and also the e-mail address you check most regularly for a reply. The end of the message is a good place for your name and e-mail address.
12. If your messages can be typed in UPPER and lower case, please use the two appropriately instead of all UPPERCASE characters. This gives the appearance of shouting and makes the message less readable.
13. Remember that not all readers have English as their native language, so make allowances for possible misunderstandings and unintended discourtesies.
14. Don't start a ''flame war'' unless you're willing to take the heat. Just as you shouldn't drive when you are angry, you should not send e-mail responses when you are angry with someone. Type a response, but do not mail it until the next day. Chances are, that when you read your response later, you'll be glad that you did not send it.