Tips on using the Internet, etiquette for newbies

Why the Internet?

It is common nowadays for people all over the world to communicate via the internet-rather than by phone-with friends, family and business collegues, and classmates.
They feel that is a faster and more convenient way to exchange ideas.
The internet offers several ways for people to get in touch: e-mail, discussion groups, bulletin boards(AKA forums), chat rooms, and instant messaging.

E-mail

Is the most common form of communication through the Internet, and it is used by nearly everyone in the world who has access to a computer. It has quickly overcome written letters in popularity as a means of communication.

Discussion groups.

This groups are normally formed around a specific theme of interest to certain individuals, and everybody who joins the group takes turns in the conversations.

Forums

Also known as BBSs, are electronic bulletin boards where people can post messages on specific subjects.

Chat rooms

Chat rooms enables users to communicate in real time by interactive conversation. The experience is the parties are typing messages on the computer rather than speaking on the phone.

Instant Messaging

This is similar to a chat room, but it is a private conversation between two users. You can see someone write "IM me later and we'll talk about it." Some business encourage their employees to use instant messaging as a means to communicate; seeing information relayed back and forth on a screen makes for a clearer channel of communication.

Rules of Chat Typing

As a newbie when you join a discussion group for the first time, it is advisable to be like a student lurk, around and study what's going on, for a while before actually jumping in to participate in the conversation.
Eventually you should participate actively, because lurking without participating is considered rude. It is also considered rude to place offensive or inappropriate messages.
This behavior is known as flaming and may make some members of the group quite angry. Another inappropriate behavior is to place the same message several times on different areas of a board.
This practice is known as spamming and it wastes the time and money of people who want to retrieve messages.

There are also several typing rules to follow. Using all uppercase letters is known as shouting, and its considered rude if used inappropriately. On the other hand, using all lowercase is known as mumbling.

Must Know On Social networking

Social networking, some say is the best way to keep in touch. Many social networks exist, the most popular one is Facebook. Facebook has over one billion active users worldwide, Time magazine reported "If Facebook were a country, it would be the third largest, behind only China and India." Another popular social network site is twitter.

Read browse your way through lots of benefits

What really are social networks?

A social network is a web site that allows users to share information with a selected group of friends. Social networks are also great ways to stay connected, networking socially are convenient ways to share photos and videos to friends no matter where you are.

Social networking how it works

A. post a message, status update in Facebook, tweets in twitter
B. All of those on your list of friends or followers will receive your message when they log on to their page and you receive their messages when you log on to your page.

Dangers of Social networking

1. Privacy: When registering for an account on Facebook, twitter or any other social networking site, you will be asked to provide your profile information, photos etc, if you are not careful with the details mentioned above including your status updates, and comments it could reveal too much about you. For instance they might reveal information like where you live, when you are at home and when you are not, where you work, your school etc. Imagine updating or tweeting this "Am off to Europe tomorrow! Along with your address. That alone is enough information for a thief to know when and where to strike.
Solution: Be familiar thoroughly with the settings especially the privacy settings on your social network, and use them to restrict access to your status and photos to people you know and trust.

2. Time FactorNetworking with friends consumes time, in fact it has been proven, the amount of time spent by a user on a social networking site far exceeds the amount of time spent watching T.V or any other type of entertainment. Have you heard yourself say "Just one more chat then am off to bed" yet you don't seem to stop, true managing our time especially when doing something we love like chatting on Facebook is very difficult and then later just like drugs extremely difficult to break free.
Solution. Set time: Timers like alarms, will help you with that, it is not just ok when you decide to use your watch or clock to time yourself, reason? Sometimes while networking you might completely forget the time! If you hate those blaring loud alarms go get it because that's the type that will remind you the time annoyingly not nicely.

Note: Two must popular networks Facebook and Twitter are used as a way of reference, all concepts still apply to other networking sites.

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