The Golden Rules of E-Mail

How to observe the proper netiquette

 Is there anything more maddening than to open up your mailbox and discover one of those viral e-mails from your best friend(s) - with the latest bad joke circulating on the web?  Or, receiving an e-mail with a massive attachment?  Or, how about a typo-ridden message.

Of course, your friends might not expect you to be able to properly spell that bridge that connects Brooklyn and Queens -- you know, the Kosciuszko Bridge.  But, they may not be as forgiving if you misspell the more common Verrazano-Narrows, or even the Queensboro (yes, that's right --it is not spelled Queensborough).

Checking your spelling before you lob off that e-mail should be standard operating procedure in the world of "netiquette."  There are some other standard rules you should observe, according to the folks at PCMag.com

Dubbed the Golden Rules of E-mail -- here are just some of the ways to avoid most people's e-mail pet peeves.

1.  Do not use "Reply All" blindly -- Be careful who you're responding to.

2.  Don't perpetuate pointlessness -- Many people don't share your humor or belief in chain letters.  Either stop sending this stuff on or give your recipients the option to opt out.

3.  BCC is your friend -- When sending a messages to a large list, respect everyone's privacy by putting all the addresses in BCC.

4.  NO ALL CAPS -- TYPING IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS IS THE INTERNET EQUIVALENT OF SHOUTING.

5.  Don't e-mail what you can IM (or text, or Twitter) -- Take advantage of other technologies that might be a better fit for your message.

And, whatever you do, don't e-mail angry!  You can find the complete Golden Rules of E-Mail on PCMag.com

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