Lesson+6

One of the most widely used features of the Internet is **e-mail**. E-mail or electronic mail allows users to instantly send messages to other peoples mailbox. E-mail is instantaneous which provides many advantages over "**snail mail**" or the traditional mail service. In order to send e-mail you require two things:
 * E-Mail**
 * a connection to the Internet (either through a network, or through a modem)
 * an e-mail account with an **ISP** (Internet Service Provider like Sasktel.net) or a web based account (like Hotmail or Yahoo mail.)


 * There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these types of accounts.**
 * || **ISP E-mail accounts** || **Web based E-mail accounts** ||
 * Advantages || * They are generally free with your Internet Service.
 * They usually have a fairly large in box which can be useful for moving information around. || * Your mail travels with you. You can log in and check your mail anywhere. (Anywhere where you are allowed...)
 * It is generally free.
 * You get to have a really cool e-mail address that no one will ever remember.
 * bmx_daddy_168_rulz@yahoo.com ||
 * Disadvantages || * You mail and your address book is generally only available to you an a single computer, like your computer at home. || * You have a limited in box, and have to pay for a larger one. ||

E-mail addresses follow a very specific format. They contain four or five parts. All of these parts (with the exception of the subdomain) must be present in order for an e-mail address to be valid, and function correctly. Here is the e-mail address formula:
 * The parts of an e-mail address**

For example, in the address: a.capella@usask.sk.ca There are many domains, here are just a few of them: //Remember that e-mail addresses contain periods, not spaces.// Determine the username, host, subdomain(s), and domain of your own e-mail account.**
 * **username@host.subdomain.domain ||
 * user name || the person who has the Internet account ||
 * @ (at sign) || separates the user name from the host ||
 * host || host refers to the name of the computer that provides the Internet access ||
 * subdomain || the company, organization, educational institution, etc. that owns the host computer ||
 * domain || the type of institution ||
 * . (dot) || separates all of the parts of the address ||
 * a.capella is the user
 * usask is the host
 * sk is the subdomain
 * ca is the domain
 * Identifier || Meaning ||
 * .com || commercial **organization** ||
 * .edu || educational **institution** ||
 * .org || **nonprofit** organization ||
 * .gov || government **facility** ||
 * .mil || US military ||
 * .net || networking **facility** ||
 * .int || international organization ||
 * .au || Australia ||
 * .ca || Canada ||
 * .de || Germany ||
 * .fr || France ||
 * .jp || Japan ||
 * .uk || United Kingdom ||
 * .us || United States ||
 * .sk || Slovakia ||
 * [[image:http://www.saskschools.ca/curr_content/info10/images/activity.gif width="93" height="29"]]

What is NETiquette? Netiquette is the etiquette of cyber space, or simply put, the rules for behaving properly online. Just like there is an etiquette that one must follow when visiting your grandmother, or sitting in a classroom, there is also an etiquette that you should follow when communicating online (Via e-mail chat, or video conference). The following is a lost of rules that one should obey while interacting online. Read through these rules, and then do the quiz at the end.**
 * E-mail, Chat and Discussion Groups - How to Behave and When to Keep Quiet
 * The Ten Commandments of NETiquette
 * 1) Do unto others... **a useful test is to ask your self, "Would I say this to this person's face?" If the answer is no, then I wouldn't put it in a text message! Further, an e-mail or text message is a written record of what was said, and who said it. There is a good chance that your message is stored somewhere, and could come back to haunt you! * Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life. First of all, illegal action on the Internet is still illegal in real life.
 * Lurk before you leap. **When you are venturing into a new place online, take some time and look around before you begin participating. See how other people interact before you participate, and once you are comfortable about the atmosphere,, join in! ***Don't waste people's time. **For all intents and purposes the term "bandwidth" means "time." If you are wasting one, you are wasting the other. Don't force people to download large files unless they ask. Don't send the same e-mail several times, don't post the same message just to see your name on the list. It wastes peoples time, and time is money... * Why does your mother always tell you to comb your hair before you leave the house?
 * Presentation. **Because people judge you by the way that you present yourself. The same holds true online. People judge you by how you write and the things that you way. If you have something worth while to contribute or to say then say it! But spell check and grammar check it before you send! Also remember, that swearing online is about as acceptable as it is in real life. You can have your privileges removed online for swearing just like your mom can ban you from using the phone for the same reason... ***Share what you do know. **One of the beautiful things about the Internet is that it allows people who actually have answers to answer questions. Many discussion groups and e-mail lists are dedicated to helping people find answers. If you know how to set a carburetor for a 1974 MG Midget, there is likely someone out there who wants to know to! (Like this person kevin@infuziontech.com Drop me a line...) Sharing is fun and makes the world a better place. ***Don't be a flamer. **"Flaming" trashing someone completely in an e-mail or on a discussion board because you disagree with their view. Although flames are sometimes amusing, they don't really encourage people to share their opinions, and don't make the online community any more inviting. ***Respect peoples privacy. **You wouldn't go through someone else's back pack, so don't read their mail. E-mail is often accessible to people to whom it does not belong. Don't read it. And if it ends up in your in box by mistake, delete it. If it is that important to the sender or the receiver, they will send it again.... ***Forgive and forget**. You were new to the Internet once too. If someone makes a minor mistake, forget it. If it is more serious, send a polite private message. Always assume that they don't know any better. Flaming a flamer doesn't stop the flames... ||