In layman terms, etiquettes refer to a behavior to be followed as per the social norm. We all follow various etiquettes in our day to day lives - not yelling or abusing, paying respect to elders, shaking hands, opening the door for for someone, not playing with food on the table and so on.
But today, our lives are entangled with the world wide web in one way or another - scores of emails, social networks, discussion boards/forums, instant messaging/chats or just posting comments on something you read online - what you write will be read and judged.
However, just like real life, there are (sometimes unsaid) etiquettes to be followed on the net. Internet etiquettes or 'netiquettes' as they are sometimes referred to, are simple manners, similar to the ones followed in the real world, that help others get a better perspective of you through your online behavior and interactions.
Whatever text you need to post online, whether your text is intended for one or for many, these are a few of the common rules that will earn you some respect and help you to be taken more seriously when needed.
Never use capital letters
Typing out anything in capital letters online is considered equivalent to shouting or yelling.
Be it emails, chats, social networks or any discussion forum, refrain from using capital letters, unless you actually want to imply that you are yelling (which is also not usually done since most people take offense).
If you post in capital by mistake, apologise, explain & delete.
Emoticons
Emoticons smileys are a fun and cute way of expressing your feelings and state of mind. However using too many in a single sentence can be annoying.
As a general rule, for a small post, do not place more than two emoticons in a single sentence. Also, do not place emoticons in official email conversations or anywhere you need to be taken seriously.
Acronyms
As far as acronyms are concerned, stick to using them in an instant message or chat. Using common acronyms like omg (oh my god), imo (in my opinion), lol (laughing out loud) and so on are usually accepted, but be prepared to explain when asked - not everyone is familiar with acronyms.
Using them in email is considered rude. Another general rule is that you should not use more then two acronyms in a single sentence.
Language
Always use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. Not only does it make you appear more professional but also makes the person reading your email/post take it more seriously. If you're not sure, use a spell check tool before posting your text because incorrect words and grammar can lead to misunderstandings.
If you must send a long email or post a long comment, add spaces between paragraphs or add points to make it easy to read.
Do not spam
Spam is defined as sending links or mails to a person without his/her consent. No one wants to see useless advertising links and unrelated posts on a discussion forum. Many forums and message boards follow a strict no spam policy - if you post any spam, you might get a warning or two, but you might also kicked out immediately. If you send spam by mistake or your email ID was hacked, apologise, explain the situation and delete the post (or inform the moderators/webmaster).
Do not flame someone
Flaming or bashing is a term used when one person abuses or insults another person over and over on the internet. This is considered very rude, especially because comments are usually publicly viewable. If you have issues with what someone is saying, voice your protest, but politely.
If you know the person, take your argument offline. If you are the victim of flaming, don't retaliate. Instead, file a complaint with the moderators/webmaster who will take necessary action to warn or block him/her.
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