Email etiquette

by Chris Pirillo
GnomeREPORT Windows

Email etiquette should still be alive and well. Let me share a few pointers that you might care to pass along, privately, to those who may not be aware of the unspoken rules. Unless everybody knows everybody else in an email thread, it’s always best to use the BCC option. Believe me, every single email utility on the planet has a BCC option. But wait, there’s more you need to remember!

To BCC or Not to BCC

1. NEVER TYPE IN ALL CAPS. THAT’S LIKE SCREAMING. REALLY!
2. Be wary of any kind of attachment - even if it comes from someone you know.
3. If a file you wish to send is larger than 2MB, think twice before sending it.
4. HTML stationery is annoying; if you don’t need to use it, don’t.
5. As the comic above illustrates, use BCC instead of CC to keep other email addresses private.
6. Don’t delete relevant information when you reply to someone.
7. If you can’t spell well, rememmber to run a spell check before sending.
8. Try to keep your messages as short as possible - you’re not writing a novel.
9. Check Snopes before forwarding info that sounds too good to be true.
10. Never send emails when you’re mad - wait until you calm down first. Trust me.
11. Triple-check that you’re not sending a message to someone who shouldn’t see it.
12. Remember that when you send something electronically, it has the potential of “living” forever.
13. Before you forward an email joke, make sure it’s funny first. Please?