concepts assessment

Net11 Assessment: Conceptual Research & Reflection Project

Concept 7: Netiquette

An overwhelming and many-facted aspect of using email and similar asynchronous communication systems over the Internet is 'Netiquette'. Netiquette describes 'good' and 'bad' conduct in online communication (amongst other forms of Internet use). But what is important about Netiquette is the concept that there are these 'agreed' rules of what is good and bad.
Understanding why and now netiquette operates is more than just learning those rules (for, indeed, there are numerous differences and disagreements about the 'rules'). Rather, one must gain from a reading of 'netiquette' a sense that users must themselves contribute to the proper functioning of the Internet as a communication system: that no-one is in 'charge' of the net and we all must exercise an ethic of maintenance, taking responsibility for doing it 'right'. Moreover, what defines 'right' most of all is : 'how would I feel if this action I am about to take was done to me, instead of by me?' and, as a test of whether you are implementing 'right' properly, ask yourself "if I assume the recipient of my messages is less experienced than me, will they learn something 'good' or 'bad' from what I am doing?'
Good communication practice on the Internet is not something one 'learns', but something one 'practices' so as to teach others, less familiar than yourself, how it is done.
Good communication practice on the Internet is not something one 'learns', but something one 'practices' so as to teach others, less familiar than yourself, how it is done.
Netiquette seems to apply almost entirely to communication: email, online chat, and so on. Perhaps this fact suggests a difference between the kind of info-communication practice involved in website creation and use and that involving direct communication lines. The difference is that, in the latter case, the immediacy of the communication, the sense of ‘back and forth’ means that damaging practices cannot be as easily ignored. We feel, in personal communication (as opposed to the more indirect ‘reading and website’ form of communication), that bad netiquette really does waste our time and affect us. A poorly designed website doesn’t do more than prompt us to move on to the next one.

Discussion

There is an amazing amount of data available on netiquette; The Australian Government has outline netiquette on there NetAlert site which is part of the ‘protecting Australian families on line’. In this case Netiquette describes the rules for online behaviour especially in newsgroups, forums and chat rooms’ (Australian Government, NetAlert, 2009). This type of Netiquette is directed at families, more specifically parents on how to protect their children online and ensuring that the children are looking at content that is age appropriate.
Netiquette is also concerned with online manners, that is how people should represent them selves, and how to address others in an appropriate way whilst online. Online in this case includes emails as well as internet sites, chat sites, news groups, and forums. There tends to be general rules across the internet that one could assume most people know and more often follow regarding Netiquette. Individual sites, business, forums and chat rooms also have there own Netiquette rules or advice. For example Macquarie University has its own ‘Online Participation Guidelines’ (Macquarie University, Netiquette guidelines, 2009).

Due to online emails, forums and the like being text based there can sometimes be confusion or misunderstandings regarding the context that things are being said in. For example when reading text the receiver of that text could take it in any numbers of ways. Obviously because it is text there is no ‘body language’, ‘facial expression’ or ‘tone’ that accompanies the text. Therefore there is also concepts of netiquette put in place so that there is no confusion involved, and therefore most times the receiver of the information understands the text in the manner that it has been intended. For example, if one was to write in capital letters, basic netiquette tells the reader that a RAISED VOICE is being used, or even that they are being YELLED AT. Another example is emoticons which have been derived so that one can use them to accompany a piece of text or a written word so that the emotion behind that text can be taken in its correct context.

:) Happy Face
:( Sad Face
:-D Laughing Face
;-) Winking Face
(Australian Government, NetAlert, 2009)

For example, if someone was to write “your crazy”, this could be taken in many different ways, however if a person was to write “your crazy ;-)” or “your crazy ;-D” the context is now shown that it was meant as a joke or said in a light hearted manner.
Emails also have netiquette concepts. These netiquette concepts are guidelines that help avoid mistakes like offending someone when you don't mean to, as well as information or points regarding the correct protocol for addressing people in emails. For example, if you can say what you need to in a few lines instead of a few pages, then you should do so (Writers Write, 1999)

Annotations

Site 1: http://www.emailreplies.com/#6attach

This site is quite informative and has some very good advice for people who are new or enquiring into email etiquette. However it is aimed at businesses that use email as a form of communication. Some of the points that are made can easily be adjusted to people who are using emails in a context other than business, so if you are able to pick out the bits that you need and ignore the bits you don’t need then, this could be quite a useful site. For example, the site suggests to keep you r language gender neutral. If you are writing an email to a friend you obviously know their gender and therefore don’t need this piece of information. It is one full page of advice where by you click on the piece of advice you are after and it moves the page down to where the information is that you are after, thus making it quite user friendly.

Site 2: http://www.kassj.com/netiquette/netiquette.html

This site is great for new user’s to email such as myself. It is a basic guide to email netiquette, which uses plain and simple language, leaving behind internet jargon the new internet users would not be able to follow. The summary towards the top of the page is a good start and can be read and understood in just a couple of minutes. The reader is then able to scroll down further and read the points in more detail. It is not directed solely at business, it appeals to everyday internet and email users. A great user friendly site for the novice, however if you did want to become more professional like with your emails you may need to find another site that goes into a bit more depth.

Concept 11: The relationship of data to meta-data

Meta-data is, in essence, information about information. In electronic communication, it is mostly to be thought of as the information that locates data in a particular context. The obvious example is the 'header' in an email message, detailing who it is from, to whom it is addressed, when it was sent, and what it is about. Internet communication depends on this meta data as obviously as, say, the postal system or, indeed, face-to-face communication. But, whereas in most other communicative contexts metadata is often concealed, or inflexibly mediated (the postmark on an envelope is sometimes germane to its contents but rarely do we keep envelopes), on the Internet, the metadata is fully available. Moreover, it is tightly connected to its data and, without physical form, can be manipulated much more easily.
For example, if I file paper correspondence under 'sender', then it is no longer available for me to file under – say – subject matter. I could copy the correspondence and file it twice, or three times, or more, depending on the number of categories of metadata and the importance I ascribe to them. However, it is often the case that a category does not become important until after the initial filing. Electronic communication (say, email), can be filed in one place and then sorted and resorted depending on the needs of the moment.
Advanced Internet users learn to intuitively conceive of any document, file, message or communication as consisting of metadata and data. They then can explore the functions of various communications/information software looking for how that software can assist them in using metadata to enable sorting, processing or otherwise dealing with that data.
A great failing of most web browser and management software is its inability to allow people to easily organize and reorganise information, to catalogue and sort it, thereby attaching their own metadata to it. Without the physical ability to sort, annotate, sort and resort, it is harder to do the cognitive processing necessary to make the data ‘one’s own’, relevant to the tasks that you are using it for, rather than its initially intended uses. New forms of ‘organisation’ need to be found and new software to make it work.

Discussion

Metadata can be described as data about data, or data that is words about a text. Dr. Warwick Cathro describes metadata as ‘not fully fledged data, but it is a kind of fellow-traveler with data, supporting it from the sidelines’ (Cathro, 1997). This suggests then, that meta data is like a link to the data that it is connected to. Therefore “metadata is structured information that describes, explains, locates, or otherwise makes it easier to retrieve, use, or manage an information resource” (UNDERSTANING METADATA-FINSH REFERENCING). Metadata enables readers to decide if the data it is connected to is exactly what they are after. For example, as described in the above overview in internet communication meta-data is in the ‘header’ of the email. The header describes things such as the sender, receiver, topic, time, date and the like. The receiver is able to look at the meta-data (the header) and have a quick overview of what the email is about.

Alternatively meta-data outside of emails is commonly used in the format of information retrieval. A popular example and certainly one that I use or overuse for a better word is with Google. When results are viewed there is a small description under several headings. These descriptions can be referred to as meta-data. They give a very brief overview of what the attached data is about. Therefore making it possible to know at just a glance what the attached data is not only about but whether or not it is relevant to your search.
Google

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1. An Introduction to Metadata
30 Aug 2007 ... Metadata is structured data which describes the characteristics of a resource. It shares many similar characteristics to the cataloguing ...
www.library.uq.edu.au/iad/ctmeta4.html - 63k - Cached - Similar pages (Google, 2009)

There are three main types of meta-data, ‘descriptive meta-data, structural metadata and administrative meta-data’ (Understanding Metadata, 2004). Briefly, ‘descriptive meta-data, describes a resource, structural meta-data indicates how compound objects are put together, and administrative metadata provides information to help manage a resource (Understanding Metadata, 2004). Clearly these are very brief descriptions; however they do show that there are different types of meta-data.

Annotations

Site 1: http://www.niso.org/publications/press/UnderstandingMetadata.pdf

This site is gives an explicit analysis of meta-data. In a twenty page document, this website, goes into full and sometimes perplexing detail of the configuration of meta-data. While it can be confusing at times, due to the intimate detail that it goes into to, it does start out in its simplest form, therefore enabling both the beginner and the expert to gain information. Whilst the novice to meta-data can successfully gain some knowledge from this site, it is apparent that is is directed to the meta-data specialist.

Site 2: http://geology.usgs.gov/tools/metadata/tools/doc/faq.html#q1.1

This site addresses formal metadata and frequently asked questions about metadata. As with the first annotation, there is a simplified explanation of metadata, however then it delves much deeper than the before mentioned site into metadata. This site gives a comprehensive guide on how to create metadata, what tools there are to create metadata, as well as metadata attributes and components. I would highly recommend this site to technically minded people who are highly involved in the internet and information systems. I found this site very hard to understand, as I am fairly new to the internet. Even though my understanding of this site is extremely limited, I decided to use it as an annotation to show the depth that annotations go into, and attempt to forgo only ‘simple’ websites, that I usually would be interested in.


Concept 13: Communication is not complete upon receipt.

A major disadvantage of email and similar asynchronous communications systems is that, often or sometimes, human users assume that when a message has been received, then it is automatically going to be acted upon or read or similar processed by the human(s) to which it was sent. While computers are very good at automatically processing information, humans are not.
The key to effective email management is to consistently and conscientiously respond to and act upon the email you receive, while recognising that others may not be as efficient as yourself.
Equally, a website is not complete when it is created and presented: it has to be used. Websites are, basically, a very indirect form of communication and so, if we wish to use the web effectively, we can apply the same lesson: simply visiting a website is not sufficient…doing something with it is what closes the circuit of communication.

Discussion

As soon as we hit the sent button on an email, we can not then just assume that it will be received and consumed in a timely manner. Communicating via email, is a cheap and speedy alternative, however because it can at time be an instantaneous form of communication, we have to remember that this is not always the case. Even once an email has been read, this does not mean that it has been acted upon, or that the person who received the email has followed through with the desired task. There is more to communication than just sending and receiving emails, there is even more than just reading an email. Unless the content of the text is carried out as desired it does not matter how rapid internet communication can be. The receiver needs to be a text participant in order for the communication to be complete. To help with effective email communication, it is suggested that people be clear and concise with their messaging so as to avoid the receiver being bogged down with an inbox full of emails, and those emails containing much more data than they need to (Every Monday, 2004).With email messaging now exceeding telephone traffic and being the dominant form of business communication (Stack, 2004). It seems that it is essential that those who send emails should remember that it is highly likely that the receiver is most likely to have several emails waiting their attention and therefore the sender must acknowledge that a reply may not be instantaneous.
Communicating through websites is also a contentious issue. Businesses and the like with web pages have to make sure that there message is getting across. It takes more than just flashy, bright and colourful web pages to communicate. ‘New visitors should be able to quickly get an idea of a website’s purpose and its primary reasons for existence. If a site does not clearly communicate that purpose, visitors are not likely to stick around’ (Issues involved in website communication, 2008). Considering the main purpose of a website is to communicate with people, it is the job of a web site to be able to communicate effectively and draw in the visitor it is intended for. The visitor needs to gain a lot of information in a split second in order for them to stay online and look further in to any given website. It is important to remember then that communication needs to extend further than just a pretty looking page, it needs to be explicit so as to draw the visitors intention and therefore communicate to the visitor as intended.

Annotations

Site 1: http://www.websearchguide.ca/communicate/mailfram.htm

This web site is very good for web visitors, like me. That is, it appears to be intended for people with limited internet experience, and therefore gives advice in simple terms. There is no unnecessary jargon to get caught up in or confuse you more than you already are. It has all aspects of internet communication, from basic terminology and simple how to open and read emails and how to reply. Email etiquette is described quickly and simply, there is advice under email etiquette to check and reply to your emails daily so that you don’t keep people waiting, however that is as far as it goes. There is no advice telling people that just because they have sent an email they can assume it has been read and acted upon. Whilst I do believe this is a good site for beginners, it does appear that this vital piece of information should be added.

Site 2: http://www.supermemo.com/articles/e-mail.htm

This site tells of how there is both a love and hate for emails. It gives some positive accounts of emails, for example there are not time restrictions. Meaning that you can send an email to someone in a different time zone at a time convenient to you and there is no fear of waking them up. Or a negative account of emails is the overflowing inbox. It is this that brings us to the concept. Since email is so popular now and often the preferred communication tool by some, the large volume of emails received by some people can cause emails to sit there and not be read, answered or completed for a long period of time. Or at least not as quickly as some people might like.

Concept 17: The impact of text-based real-time chat

You might think that, with the widespread availability of telephones, an internet-based system of real-time communication involving the typing of text messages would be hardly used, or at least, of little relevance. You would be wrong. Real-time internet-based text chat is a significant part of contemporary internet use. The question then to be asked is: what is the difference here that makes this mode of communication popular; and then what impact does it have of the kinds of communication and social interaction that take place?
Setting aside cost the main differences are
1. that you can imagine yourself with others in a public space
2. that your use of text provides a different form of communication, more 'fictive', more controlled, and still very expressive, but also one that enables you to monitor and reflect on the forms and meanings of communication, including your own
3. you can have multiple conversations without apparently being rude (including both public and private ones)
Communicating in real-time with text enables a form of 'authoring of the self' that is similar to the processes of face-to-face speech but which is much more amenable to authorial control, experimentation and reflection. Further, text-based communication carries with it the possibility for multiple, differing conversations occurring simultaneously, relying on the ability of the human brain to deal with text much better than speech.
Whether this effect of real-time communication will survive the rush towards AV conferencing is a moot point. However, a skilled Internet user will appreciate that text is, in some circumstances, a highly effective mechanism for communication. In particular, because text can be captured so much more easily than speech, it provides a mechanism for preserving and reflecting on conversations.
Online chat seems something of a phenomenon. There are so many different types of online chat sites that cater to all types of people. For example, online dating chat sites, for singles, chat sites for parents, adults, teenagers, children, and the list goes on. There have even been several news stories of people who have been united from opposite sides of the globe through online chat sites. Couples who meet online and fall in love before actually meeting each other face to face. Online chat all started with ICQ. ICQ was established in June of 1996 (ICQ, 2008), and has grown considerably since that time. Whilst this is an amazing tool it does not come without its own risks. Since it is chat without face to face, people are able to be ‘whoever they want to be’ online. There appears to be no governing of chat sites, which has in turn created concern amongst some people. There have been many arrests of online cyber paedophiles, older men who are acting as young children to trick other young children and coax them into face to face meetings. These have stemmed both here in Australia and overseas (The Australian, 2007). However if online chat is used in an honest, caring and fun type of way it is a powerful tool and can result in a lot of fun for friends, families, and strangers.
Chat has now also moved on from social networking to online business chat. There is now online business chat software available to that businesses are able to chat with their customers (Live Person, 2009). This is an advantage for both businesses and consumers alike. The response is instantaneous; therefore it is convenient, no need to return to the outlet and therefore saves both time and money for all parties involved.
It would seem that there is no end to chat. There are sites of online chat to doctors (Doctors Online, 2009), online psychologists and councillors (Psychology care.com 2009), online vets (Ask the vet, 2009), and the lists goes on. Clearly it appears that there is no end to online chat. It appears that so long as people who are using online chat to meet, friends, lovers or soul mates, or people who are chatting to online health care professionals, or businesses as long as all online chat is carried out with honesty and integrity, online chat is a powerful tool for many people.

Annotations

Site 1: http://www.match.com.au/Index.aspx?trackingid=1052990

Match.com is an online dating site for over eighteens. It prides itself on being an Australian site, where you can meet people from your area. They offer a 7 day free trail however there is a fee for chatting online after the initial 7 days. Anyone can go onto this site, you just have to tick a box to say that you are over 18 and away you go. ‘Chatters’ make up a name which can be anything from an acronym or something made up such as ‘fun girl’ or ‘shy girl’, the choices are endless, and then away you go. As for all chat sites, there is some concern to the truth and integrity of others who are online and chatting, however match.com make it clear in their terms and conditions that they have no obligation and everyone is responsible for what they say and do so at their own risk.

Site 2: http://www.wireclub.com/

Wire club is an online chat site that enables people to pick a chat ‘room’ that they find appealing. For example there are chat rooms titles ‘general, local, dating, animal and sport’, where people can pick an interest and enter the room to chat to other people with the same interest. There is even an option to create your own room where by you can name it and make it a matter of interest to you and then hope it appeals to others who would then join you. Just like match.com however there is nothing stopping people from going on and being whoever they want to be. While this may not be an issue in a general chat room such as animals and sport chat rooms, however there is a dating room whereby just clicking the correct boxes allows anyone to gain entry. There is also a local chat room where you can meet people who live local to you. This is something that people should be very cautious of. It does not seem like a good idea to give your personal ideas out (that is where you live) to someone who is no more than a screen name to you.

Bibliography

About.com (2009), Retrieved January 17, 2009, from http://email.about.com/od/emailnetiquette/tp/core_netiquette.htm
Ask The Vet (2009), Live Chat, Retrieved February 2, 2009, from http://www.petservice.com/live_chat.html
Australian Government NetAlert (2009), Retrieved January 21, 2009, from http://www.netalert.gov.au/advice/behaviour/netiquette_emoticons/What_is_netiquette.html

Cathro, Dr. Warwick (1997), Matching Discovery and Recovery” in National Library of Australia Staff Paper, Retrieved January 19, 2009 from http://www.nla.gov.au/nla/staffpaper/cathro3.html
Doctors Online (2009), Retrieved February 2, 2009, from http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/1505/onlinedoctors.html
Every Monday (2004), Effective Email Communication, Retrieved January 21, 2009, from http://www.imakenews.com/orcc/e_article000227828.cfm
ICQ (2008), The ICQ Story, Retrieved January 22, 2009, from http://www.icq.com/info/story.html
Issues Involved with Website Communication (2008), Retrieved February, 1, 2009), from http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/design-process/website-communication/
Live Person (2009) Live Chat Software, Retrieved February 2, 2009, from http://solutions.liveperson.com/live-chat/?utm_source=goog&utm_term=online%20chat&_kk=online%20chat&_kt=77918dec-68d2-4ce6-a475-9025908d67fa&gclid=CNXAkdGexZgCFU0wpAoddVsy0g
Macquarie University, Netiquette Guidelines (2009), Retrieved January 21, 2009, from http://online.mq.edu.au/docs/neti.html

Psychology Care.com (2009) Online Psychology and counseling centre, Retrieved February 2, 2009, from, http://www.psychologycare.com/

Stack Laura (2004) Microsoft Office Online, 12 tips for better email etiquette, Retrieved February 1, 2009, from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HA012054101033.aspx

The Australian (2007) More Arrests After Pedophile Ring Bust, Retrieved February 2, 2009, from, http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21932241-2703,00.html

Writers Write (1999), The internet writing journal, retrieved January 19, 2009, from http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/dec99/pirillo1.htm
Understanding Metadata (2004), National Information Standards Organisation, Retrieved February 1, 2009, from http://www.niso.org/publications/press/UnderstandingMetadata.pdf