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Although the Internet often feels huge and impersonal, your
behavior will affect other human beings. There are a few
ground rules based on the spirit of the Internet:
- Communication between computers means you're using the
time and energy (bandwidth) of other computers whenever you
logon or connect to a Website. Don't tax the system by
careless typing of addresses, or by surfing areas you have
no interest in, or by failing to logoff properly, or by
using a foreign site when a domestic one is
available. When possible, download at off-peak times; when a
site gives you the option, choosing to download at a high
"niceness level," creates the least amount of site slowdown
for other users.
- Honor the time limits on a library computer during peak
usage. Empty your e-mail regularly. Cancel subscriptions to
Listservs and Usenet groups when your interest has waned.
- When visiting a Newsgroup, read the FAQs (list of
Frequently Asked/Answered Questions) first; then "lurk" for
several days 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.
- 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, and it's best
to be sure which group you're in.
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