The Netiquette

Participating in discussion forums can be an exciting experience, whether you're looking for information or exchanging ideas. However, it is, in all cases, a social and public experience. Everyone should therefore ensure the quality of the exchanges and keep in mind that by posting, they become an editor, responsible for their own comments.

"Netiquette" is a set of "rules" of behavior and advice regarding how to express oneself in these forums, whether you use them occasionally or regularly. It is therefore important to communicate with respect for others, politely, and with tolerance. Following these rules and advice, which have been established through custom, improves the quality of exchanges and thus strengthens cooperation between contributors. In this respect, "Netiquette" is no different from the basic rules of good manners and politeness that apply in real life.

"Netiquette" simply takes, and adapts them to the technical means used, rules of behavior that should be enough to implement with simple common sense. However, it can't be learned overnight. So don't let your fear of cyberspace prevent you from browsing or joining discussion groups. The easiest way to learn how to use discussion forums is to observe how others use them and take your time, browsing the groups at your leisure.

Caution

Never forget that a message can be read worldwide by other network users. You never know who will read it, or who will decide to distribute your message to their friends and family. What you post is therefore a public comment. Therefore, private messages have no place on discussion forums. Familiarize yourself with the newsgroup before submitting your articles. Do not post a contribution to a group without first reading the messages already posted to understand the conventions and customs.

Furthermore, you must take the time to write your article carefully and avoid posting off-topic messages. Also, remember that newsgroups generally bring together members from many countries. Do not refer to your local culture without explaining it.

On forums, as on the entire internet, sentences in capital letters are synonymous with aggression and are more difficult to read. They are therefore strongly discouraged because YOU WILL GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT YOU ARE SHOUTING!

Finally, all insults and vulgarities, even if humorous, should be strictly avoided. Invective, threats, public accusation of individuals, and taking individuals to task are not part of our concept of debate. Also, if you use the network to vent your anger, don't let it get the better of you. A forum is a place for exchange: don't get angry if others disagree with you. Treat list members as you would like to be treated. Your words should not exceed your thoughts.

While none of our forums are reserved for adults, we encourage parents to supervise their children when they log on.

Respect

Of course, privacy is essential, and it would be inappropriate to make confidential documents or data (addresses, phone numbers, etc.) public.

Furthermore, copyright law must be respected. Beware of sending movie reviews, song lyrics, or anything else that may be protected by copyright. This could lead to you or your company being held liable for illegal reproduction and distribution. We therefore recommend that you be careful with this type of document.

However, you must cite your references. You wouldn't want someone else to appropriate your ideas. So, if you use someone else's to support your statements, cite their sources!

Finally, discussion forums may not be used for proselytizing or promoting political ideas of any kind. Since the content of discussion forums is made available to the public, including minors, it must comply with the regulations in force in France. It is prohibited to publish, in particular, but not exclusively, any content relating to:

pedophilia,

pornography (depiction of sexual acts),

incitement to racial hatred,

denial of crimes against humanity,

calls to murder,

pimping,

insult (offensive expression, term of contempt, or invective),

defamation (imputation of an act that harms the honor or reputation of the natural or legal person, or the body to which the act is attributed),

computer piracy (incitement to piracy, provision of pirated software or programs intended for fraudulent use of software),

counterfeiting, and, generally speaking, any infringement of an intellectual property right (copyright, related rights, databases, designs, patents, trademarks, etc.).

Advertising and messages of an overtly commercial nature are also unwelcome. Generally speaking, Internet service providers reserve the right to refuse or delete any message of an illegal, offensive, or advertising nature.

Finally, you should avoid posting your article multiple times in different groups. This practice is known as "spamming" and quickly leads to a response known online as "flaming."

Clarity

Of course, you should always fill out the subject line of your message, clearly indicating the subject of your article; it is impossible for a reader in a hurry to properly understand news items if their title is unclear. A title like "Car for Sale" in the rec.autos newsgroup (a newsgroup dedicated to automobiles) is much less obvious than "R 11 GTL for sale in Paris." Similarly, avoid overly general titles like "Help!!!"

Before replying to a message, leave a line at the beginning of your response to improve readability. Delete the unnecessary part of the message you are responding to, retaining only the important points that help you situate your message.

For iterative responses like "Re-Re-Re Re," delete the unnecessary "Res."

Reread your message to avoid spelling mistakes and make sure your text is easy to read.

When responding to an article directly in the news, whenever possible, summarize it or reiterate the part you're responding to in quotation marks. Readers will appreciate your comments all the more.

The general idea is simple: the shorter, clearer, and more concise your message, the better it will be understood.

Conciseness

Why write in several lines what can be contained in a few words? The longer your article, the more boring the reader will find it. A brief message will have a much better impact.

It is very frowned upon, for example, to quote all sixty lines of a previous message, add "me too," and follow it with a 12-line signature.

Similarly, it is agreed to stick to "pure text": images, sounds, HTML messages, etc. are prohibited. Furthermore, you should not post "attachments" to discussion groups (it is preferable to use private mailboxes).

Large files (graphics, large documentation) should be placed on a personal page or FTP server so that everyone can download them whenever they want... and if they want! You will then simply post a message indicating the download address.

ourtesy

Without the vocal intonations of our usual conversations, a remark meant to be funny can sometimes be seriously misinterpreted. Likewise, humor that's too subtle risks going unheard.

But also be aware that genuine satirical articles are often posted without clear explanations. If an article deeply offends you, ask yourself if you should really take it at face value.

The main thing is to remain humble in your messages and not overuse the "I/I" language. Similarly, the number of messages produced by the same person should be kept reasonable so as not to pollute the debate.

Finally, it's important not to overdo your signature. A signature can be automatically added to the end of your article by your newsreader software. This signature is intended to provide everyone with your personal contact information, or even just your full name and email address. But be brief!