The word "netiquette" refers to etiquette rules common to the Internet. Most things that are polite (or rude) in every day life are also polite (or rude) on-line. If someone helps you, for example, it's always polite to say "thank you" whether you're talking with them in person or in email. However, things are a little different on-line and it can be important to be aware of those differences. This netiquette file summarizes some of the more important rules that may be helpful to you to know before you begin participating in deafintl.

1. Any time you join a new on-line discussion group, it is usually helpful to quietly read the list for a few days or a few weeks before making your first post. That way, you can get a feel for what kinds of topics are acceptable to this particular discussion group and what kinds of questions have already been asked (and maybe answered). One way for you to do this is to read through the deafintl archives.
   
   
2. You might want to introduce yourself to the list before asking your first question on deafintl. You are not required to introduce yourself if you have no plans yet to make a post.
   
   
3. Include your name and your e-mail address at the end of each post. This makes it easier for people to see who you are and how to contact you.
   
   
4. Reduce or eliminate your .sig (signature) file, if you have one. Generally, .sig files should be no more than four lines long.
   
   
5. Use mixed case. Do not use all caps, LIKE THIS. On the Internet, typing in all caps is considered to be the equivalent of SHOUTING at your reader.
   
   
6. Please quote as little as possible. Never quote an entire message unless it is extremely short. By short I mean a few lines, not a few paragraphs. ALWAYS delete mail headers when you quote a message, except the FROM: line so people can see who you are quoting. Quote only the part you are responding to, or don't quote at all.
   
   
7. Make your subject headers clear and descriptive. Your subject header should tell us what you are writing about.
   
   Digest subscribers note!: If you subscribe to the digest version of the list, make sure to correct the subject header when you reply to the list. Don't let your message go out saying "re: deafintl-digest V1 #34" or the like.
   
   
8. Before you reply to something someone says on the list, think carefully about whether your post belongs on this list. Remember that anything you send to the list will be seen, and maybe read, by more than 250 people around the world. Is your post likely to be of interest to at least some of these people? Is it relevant to the list as a whole? If what you want to say is likely to be interesting only to the person to whom you are replying, then please send a private e-mail message to that person. But if you have information or advice to share that might interest other people on the list, then please DO post your reply to deafintl.
   
   Another hint: If you have information or ideas to share, please post it! Other people may want to know the same information even if they haven't asked for it.
   
   
9. This list includes people who have very different opinions about the "best" way to "help" deaf people in developing countries People on this list are expected to treat each other and their opinions with respect. This is especially important on the list itself, but should ideally occur off the list as well.

   Open, honest debate about the most appropriate way to improve daily life for deaf and hard of hearing people in developing countries is expected and even, to some extent, encouraged on this list. This kind of debate can help all of us learn from each other. However, any and all such debate should stick to the issues being debated. Debates should never be conducted by attacking other people on this list or saying negative or hostile things about them or their motivations. Everyone is presumably here because they want to make a positive difference in the lives of deaf and hard of hearing people in developing countries. Let's work with each other, not against each other.
   
   

10. Remember that not everyone on this list has access to the same types of computer equipment and software, etc., that you do. Some people on this list may have to pay by the minute for every minute they are on-line. Also, some people have very slow modems which can make it frustrating to download a long post. Keep this in mind when deciding whether to post something. Anything that might share a good idea or valuable information SHOULD be posted. That's the whole point of this list. But if you have something really long you want to share, consider posting a short message telling people that you have more information available that you would like to share with people who are interested. Include enough information to let people decide for themselves if they would like to see more. Then people who want to see the whole post can contact you via private e-mail.

    Be considerate of other people's diskspace. Re-read numbers 4, 6, and 8 above very carefully and follow them. Please also PAY ATTENTION to number 11 below.
    
    

11. Please avoid using html format, MIME format, or file attachments. Some people on deafintl, particularly some participants in developing countries, are simply not able to read anything other than plain text. You may be using html without realizing it. Double check the default settings in your email system. Remember, just because your email message looks perfect on your computer screen doesn't mean that it will be accessible to people using other computer and email systems.

12. Please DO post anything you think might be of interest to the list, including questions you hope someone can help with. Participate. Respond to each other. Help each other and ask for help.

    
    

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    This page was last updated 31 January 2004 by Andrea Shettle