INTRODUCTION

A WORD ABOUT INTERNET COURTESY

Although the Internet often feels huge and impersonal, your behavior will affect other people. There are a few courtesies, based on the spirit of the Internet:

•Communication between computers means you’re using the time and energy (bandwidth) of the entire system whenever you logon or connect to a Website. Don’t tax the Internet. In particular, avoid:

~ carelessly typing addresses

~ sending multiple messages indiscriminately (spamming)

~ surfing areas you have no interest in

~ staying online when finished or failing to logoff properly

~ using a foreign site when a domestic one is available

When possible

Download at off-peak times.

Compose and read e-mail offline.

Honor the time limits on a library computer during peak usage.

Empty your e-mail regularly.

Use blind copies when forwarding a message to multiple recipients. Copy and paste the message to be forwarded so you don’t duplicate the address list of the original. Most people do not appreciate having their e-mail addresses forwarded to others.

Cancel subscriptions to Listservs and Usenet groups when your interest has waned.

When visiting a Discussion Group, read the FAQs (list of Frequently Asked/Answered Questions) first; then "lurk" for a while to learn the acceptable behavior for that group before commenting. This way, you’ll get a sense of the intellectual level of the conversation, the philosophy of the majority of users, and the treatment of newcomers. See page 000 for further explanation.

You may have heard of "flaming"--an abusive or sarcastic response to a posting on the Internet. Some groups accept, even encourage, such a tone; but many do not. It’s best to be sure which group you’re in.

SUGGESTIONS FOR USING THIS BOOK

You’ve been doing research since you were born—finding out about the world around you, about how your own observations, thoughts, and feelings compare to those of others. One kind of research is just asking questions and evaluating the answers. This book can help with that basic element of curiosity as you use the resources available through the Internet. However, more refined ways of researching occur in academic and professional settings—and usually result in a report or a public presentation.

Rules of Thumb for Internet Research is for you

• if you are a hacker or a beginner assigned to write a college research paper in any course.
• if you are in the working world and must find information—to solve a problem or to include in a memo or formal report.
• if you’re at home seeking information—for personal decisions, for activities in your community, or to help a child with homework.

Rules of Thumb for Internet Research can be used out of order, while you are working at the computer. I assume that most readers of this book are already familiar with computers, the Internet, and basic principles of research. In that case you’re ready to start with Part 1. However, some of you may want to begin by reading the tips for beginners in Part 5 , or the tips for planning the research project in Part 3. If you come across an unfamiliar term, you’ll find the definition in the glossary beginning on page 000.

Part I explains how to gather information. It can be used one chapter at a time as you try different resources. Part 2 helps you evaluate and organize what you have discovered. Part 3 gives tips on methods of working and controlling your project; turn to that section early if you’re new to research, new to the Internet, or facing a close deadline. Part 4 provides the details for documentation format for the most commonly used styles for reporting research. Part 5 gives tips for the novice on working with computers. A glossary and all the Internet addresses for resources mentioned throughout the book are in the Appendix.

This book is part of the Rules of Thumb series, designed to help people meet the requirements of writing assignments. The phrase "rule of thumb" refers to a handy guideline: The top part of your thumb is roughly an inch long. Sometimes you need a ruler, marked in millimeters, but often you can do fine by measuring with just your thumb. Your thumb takes only a second to use, and it’s always with you. Similarly, a few basic rules for writing—our Rules of Thumb—will serve you for most assignments.

Rules of Thumb for Internet Research is not a comprehensive guide to the Internet. For detailed coverage of UNIX and many other fine points, see Pitter, Keiko, et al. Every Student’s Guide to the Internet. McGraw-Hill, 1998.

Information about that book, as well as updated Internet addresses for this book, can be found at McGraw-Hill’s Website: <http://www.mhhe.com/writers>.

I hope that you find this guide helpful. All Internet addresses are current as of March 2000. If you have any comments or suggestions, please e-mail or write to me:

wienbrd@sunynassau.edu
Diana Roberts Wienbroer
English Department
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY 11530

Other books in the Rules of Thumb Series:

Silverman, Hughes, and Wienbroer. Rules of Thumb: A Guide for Writers 4^th ed.
—-. Good Measures: A Practice Book to Accompany Rules of Thumb 4^th ed.
—-. Rules of Thumb for Research
Wienbroer, Hughes, and Silverman. Rules of Thumb for Business Writers
—All from McGraw-Hill copyright 2000, updated to include 1999 MLA Guidelines