Let’s say you e-mail a friend the poem you just wrote, asking for constructive criticism. Without your permission, the friend forwards2 your poem to several other kids. Soon, you’re getting smart-alecky3 IMs4 and e-mails. How do you feel?
That friend isn’t the only one who could use lessons in netiquette (Internet etiquette). Rudeness in e-mails, chat rooms, comments columns, and blogs is on the rise,“Without seeing the immediate consequences of rudeness on the recipient’s face or in their voice,” observes one Internet expert,“it is easier to cross boundaries.”
Are you a good netizen (Internet citizen)? Take our quiz to find out.
Netizenship QUIZ
1. A blogger posts an unkind review of your favorite singer’s new CD. How do you respond?
A.“I think this CD is better than the last one.”
B. “ROTFL5. You’re kidding, right?”
C.“You should rethink your taste in music.”
2. You’ve had an argument with a classmate. What do you do?
A. Complain in an e-mail to your friends.
B. Take your mind off the spat6 by IMing a friend about something fun.
C. Explain how you feel by posting a message on the classmate’s blog, using a made-up name.
3. Your cousin sends you a chain letter, and asks you to send it on to 15 people. What do you do?
A. Forward it to 15 friends.
B. Reply that you’d rather not receive chain e-mails.
C. Trash it without a reply.
4. The Mayor has announced a cleanup of your local park. How do you express your approval?
A. Send a brief e-mail, which includes your name and address, saying thanks and why a clean park matters to you.
B. Send a long, detailed e-mail on all the reasons you applaud the plan.
C. Send an e-mail full of smiley faces.
5. Your coach benches7 you from a game after you show up late for practice. What do you do?
A. E-mail the coach about your concerns.
B. Speak with your coach, and listen to his or her explanation.
C. Use a parent’s e-mail address to send the coach a stern message.
Answers: ABBAB
SCOREBOARD
5 right: You are a most excellent netizen!
3-4 right: OK, but mind your manners.
0-2 right: Think about how you would like to be treated yourself. Then take the quiz again.
我们举这样一个例子：你把自己刚写的一首诗电邮给你的朋友，寻求建设性意见。没经过你同意，朋友就把你的诗转发给其他人欣赏了。不久，你就收到很多自作聪明的留言和邮件。你感觉如何？
这位朋友不是惟一需要学习网络礼节的人。电子邮件、聊天室、评论专栏以及博客中的无礼行为正愈演愈烈。“由于无法直接看到无礼导致的接收者表情和声音的变化，”一位网络专家评论，“所以网民的举止行为很容易过界。”
你是不是位好网民？做做测试找到答案。
网民测试
1.一位博主对你最喜欢歌手的新唱片发表了一篇不友好的评论。你作何反应？
A. “我认为这张唱片比上一张要好。”
B. “笑死我了。你在开玩笑吧？”
C. “你应该重新考虑你对音乐的品位。”
2. 你和一个同学吵了一架。你会怎么办？
A. 写封邮件给朋友，向他们抱怨一下。
B. 跟朋友网上聊天，聊些开心的事情来打岔。
C. 用假名在这个同学的博客上留言，说出你的感受。
3. 你的表兄给你发了封连环信，让你转发给15个人。你会怎么做？
A. 转发给15个朋友。
B. 给他回信，说明你不喜欢接到连环信。
C. 不回信，直接把它丢进垃圾箱。
4. 市长宣布要清扫当地公园。你怎么表达自己的支持？
A. 发一封简短的邮件，附上你的姓名、地址，表示感谢，以及说明为什么一个干净的公园对你来说十分重要。
B. 发一封长长的、详细的邮件，陈述你赞成这个计划的所有理由。
C. 发一封充满笑脸符号的邮件。
5．因为训练时迟到，教练责令你退出比赛。你怎么办？
A. 给教练发一封邮件，表达你的担忧。
B. 同教练好好谈谈，听听他或她的解释。
C. 用父母的信箱给教练发封义正辞严的信。
答案：ABBAB
打分表
5个都答对：你是一个品行优良的网民！
3-4个答对：还行，不过要注意言行举止了。
0-2答对：想想你希望别人怎么对待自己，然后重新做测试。
1. netiquette=network etiquette 网络礼节etiquette [?謖etiket] n. 礼节
2. forward v. 转发
3. smart-alecky 自作聪明的
4. IM=Instant Messaging即时通讯
5. ROTFL= rolling on the floor and laughing 捧腹大笑
6. spat n. 口角，争论
7. bench v. 使…退出比赛
8. code n. 规范