Don’t be so forward. A forward is any email that is passed along from the receiver to another party. A common trend amongst emailers is to send jokes, stories, and superstitious chain letters to what seems like everyone on their email list. Please don’t be one of these people. Your friends and family are very busy and while I’m sure they love to hear from you, most of them probably don’t have time to read emailed stories (no matter how heartwarming) or to forward a chain letter to twenty people so their fondest wish comes true. Be courteous to the folks on your email list; show them that you value their time by only sending worthwhile emails. Then your emails will be met with a smile rather than an exasperated sigh.
Support humanitarian sites. There are multiple websites that allow you to donate money to a good cause just by clicking a button on their website. Therainforestsite.com, povertyfighters.com and thebreastcancersite.com are all websites that donate money per mouse click. Making time to help a charitable cause is always in good taste.
Know your audience (and their connection speed). Before you send an email take a moment to consider the recipient. An e-card is a wonderful way to send a birthday wish. An animated, musical birthday e-card is probably the wrong choice for your friend who works in a cubicle farm. Grandma always wants to see pictures of her darling grandchildren. But if she’s using dial-up, you probably don’t want to send her every picture. Be considerate of your recipient and your emails will always be appreciated.
Think before you speak. An email can be a legally binding document in a court of law. Think before you shoot off an angry or threatening email to your boss. For that matter, think before you send any email. Is what you’re sending something you’d like to answer for later? If it isn’t, don’t send the email.
Be nice. A quick browse through YouTube will show that while most people use the Internet to encourage and support one another, some do not. The seeming anonymity of the Internet has some people feeling they can post hateful things while hiding safely behind their computer. Racist, bigoted, homophobic, or graphically sexual language is never appropriate. Do not ever engage in this behavior.
Don’t forget about the real world. The Internet is a wonderful place, but so is reality. The Internet is addictive and it can become an addiction. Limit your computer time. Make sure to engage in other activities: exercise, bond with your spouse and children, take up a hobby. Balance is key.
Be careful out there. You can find almost anything you want on the Internet: sites about your favorite hobby, news, research, music, even love. You can also find trouble. Be careful out there. Predators lurk on the Internet just like in real life. Never agree to meet someone offline alone. Make sure you know who your children are chatting with. Set up a parental block on your Internet if you can’t monitor your children when they come home from school. Install a spamware blocker for your computer to protect against malicious programs. Oversight Technology’s System Sentinel protects against spamware, adware, and other malware. Be proactive. Enjoy the Internet but be smart about it.
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