This document provides guidelines for etiquette on online forums. It begins by establishing that cyberspace is different from other communication mediums and that netiquette, or rules of conduct, are important for online forums. It then defines key terms related to online forums and netiquette violations. The document lists basic do's and don'ts for participating in forums properly. It also provides tips for moderators on starting and maintaining online forums.

1. On-line Forum Etiquette
MATE 4th ICT4ELT National
Conference
Agadir, June 2-4, 2007
Abdellatif Zoubair,
E-mail: zoubair2@hotmail.com
June 2007

2. Outline
Rationale
Terminology
Basic rules
Further tips
Moderator’s roles
Designing a sample
Resources
June 2007

3. I. Rationale
How different is cyberspace?
What is netiquette for?
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4. Key Terms
1. cross posting: k. posting the same message to multiple forums
2. double posting: h. posting the same message twice to the same
forum
3. flaming: e. comments intended to abuse or insult
4. a hoax: i. false e-mail warning of a spreading virus
5. a lurker: j. user who reads postings but rarely participates
6. a moderator: g. someone responsible for managing a forum
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5. 7. netiquette: c. rules of conduct on online platforms
8. online forum: a. web application for holding discussions
9. spamming: b. advertising or posting repetitive messages
10. a thread: f. a series of messages grouped by subject
11. a troll: d. a user who breaches netiquette repeatedly and
intentionally
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6. Basic rules: Do’s and don’ts
Don’t use CAPS
Don’t forward hoaxes
Check previous threads
Avoid sending large attachments
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7. Do’s and don’ts (cont’d)
No personal messages
Don’t address feedback to persons
Don’t interrupt the flow of discussion
No spamming
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8. More do’s and don’ts
Don’t ‘revive’ or ‘necro’ old topics
Be concise
Use standard language
Don’t flame back
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9. Further tips
Reflect upon form and content
Be careful with humour
Consult previous posts
Check guidelines
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10. More tips
Be relevant
Contribute
Quote only relevant text
Shorten signature
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11. And always . . .
« Remember the human! »
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12. Moderator’s roles
Start forum:
-welcome message
-set guidelines
-invite people
-provide help
-...
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13. Moderator’s roles (cont’d)
Keep the conversation going
Be available
Edit posts
Close forum
.....
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14. Task: start a forum
Consider audience
State topic
Set guidelines
...
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15. Web resources
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing
Netiquette (Albion.com)
Why it is sensible to observe the Netiquette
The WWW version of Netiquette
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16. Thank you for your attention
and patience!
June 2007