Netiquette — 
Rules of Conduct for Our Online Forum

• Be Patient. Read everything in the discussion thread before replying. This will help you avoid repeating something someone else has already contributed. Acknowledge the points made with which you agree and suggest alternatives for those with which you don’t.
• Respect Diversity. It’s an ethnically rich and diverse, multi-cultural world in which we live. Use no language that is—or that could be construed to be—offensive toward others. Racists, sexist, and heterosexist comments and jokes are unacceptable, as are derogatory and/or sarcastic comments and jokes directed at religious beliefs, disabilities, and age.
• Disagree respectfully. Disagreement and different ideas are essential parts of learning, problem-solving, and creativity. However, in order for different ideas to be heard and shared, it is important to maintain a respectful stance even through vehement disagreement; otherwise communication may break down.
• Be concise. Lengthy paragraphs are difficult for readers to digest. Keep your paragraphs short and your writing concise.
• Stay on topic. Off-topic comments can derail our conversation. You can post off-topic comments in our open discussion forum or one of the other communication modes we are using in the course.
• NO YELLING. When you write in uppercase letters in online communication, it is usually interpreted as yelling.
• Add some emotion. :-) Sometimes it helps communicate the tone of your message when you add an emoticon. However, only do so as necessary for it can also be annoying to readers if you use too many (which is probably the opposite of your intention).
• Report Glitches. Discussion forums are electronic. They break. If for any reason you experience difficulty participating, please email the moderators and the webmaster. Chances are others are having the same problem.