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Netiquette and Computer Ethics

Netiquette: The written or unwritten rules of etiquette that govern online interaction between users on the Internet. Note: Some typical rules are a ban on profane or offensive language, a requirement to respect other users, and a ban on floods of unsolicited advertisements. (As prepared by ATIS Committee T1A1.)

A Simpler Explanation: Using technology to communicate with others with understanding, respect and courtesy. It applies to personal, professional and educational communications.

Basic Rules: Use appropriate language for the group you’re communicating with, spell and grammar-check your work, don't type messages in all upper-case letters (interpreted as SHOUTING), and don't spam other Internet users.

Albion.com has excellent resources with which to learn about and test your knowledge of Netiquette. Learn more at the Netiquette Homepage or take the Netiquette Quiz now.

Computer Ethics: Schoolcraft's computer use policy explains what ethical computer use means on our campus. It is meant to keep users from making mistakes because they just don't know better.  Schoolcraft Computer Use Policy.

The rules below are the great-granddaddies of almost all the policies and rules you will encounter when using computers and technology. They were developed by the Computer Ethics Institute in the 1980's, but are still considered the standards for ethical computer use.

Ten Commandments Of Computer Ethics:
Created by the Computer Ethics Institute

  1. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Harm Other People.
  2. Thou Shalt Not Interfere With Other People’s Computer Work.
  3. Thou Shalt Not Snoop Around In Other People’s Computer Files.
  4. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Steal.
  5. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Bear False Witness.
  6. Thou Shalt Not Copy Or Use Proprietary Software For Which You have Not Paid.
  7. Thou Shalt Not Use Other People’s Computer Resources Without Authorization Or Proper Compensation.
  8. Thou Shalt Not Appropriate Other People’s Intellectual Output.
  9. Thou Shalt Think About The Social Consequences Of The Program You Are Writing Or The System You Are Designing.
  10. Thou Shalt Always Use A Computer In Ways That Insure Consideration And Respect For Your Fellow Humans.

The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics were first presented in Dr. Ramon C. Barquin's paper, "In Pursuit of a 'Ten Commandments' for Computer Ethics."