Quite simply, netiquette is etiquette for the Internet. In other words, it is a set of rules for behaving properly online. Netiquette comes into play whenever and however you are interacting with others via the Internet. It is particularly important when sending or responding to email, chatting online, or when posting comments or information on electronic bulletin boards or to newsgroups.

Much like "real world" etiquette, netiquette starts with the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. The truth is, all the rules you already understand about how to behave politely and appropriately at work, in line at the grocery store, on the telephone, or when writing memos or letters are still fundamentally true when applied to online interactions.

Everyone starts out as a "newbie" online, and a few mistakes are understandable and forgivable! At the same time, first impressions are important, so The Company has created this brief guide to netiquette to help you take the onramp to the Internet highway smoothly and successfully.