[11746] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: In the matter of adverti
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (WALTHOWE@delphi.com)
Sat Apr 16 21:11:04 1994
Date: Sat, 16 Apr 1994 18:49:30 -0400 (EDT)
From: WALTHOWE@delphi.com
To: tenney@netcom.com
Cc: com-priv@psi.com
X-Vms-To: IN%"tenney@netcom.com"
Glenn Tenney writes:
> This raises the real question: Who is it that should be teaching
> newcomers the rules of the road?
> Should all the drivers on the road today teach these newcomers? No, I
> don't think so. Of course, we should be polite and helpful, but I don't
> think that the current users should have this responsibility foisted on
> them.
> I think it should (no, MUST) be the responsibility of every Internet
> provider (including AOL, or any university) to be sure that their users
> know the basics of netiquette. This is where the responsibility rightfully
> belongs.
> Now, we could help work up a short description of netiquette that all
> Internet providers make sure their users get...
As one of providers who are channeling many new people onto the Internet and
into newsgroups, I agree completely that we (Delphi--and AOL, and others to
come, large and small) have a responsibility to educate our new users. And we
do try to reach our new users with instructions on netiquette in various ways.
For example, we provide two newsreaders on Delphi--nn and a much simpler menu
based one. The newcomers almost all start with the simpler one, and they can't
reach newsgroups without seeing a "READ BEFORE POSTING TO ANY NEWSGROUP!" file.
This file explains the basic netiquette and the reasons behind it in easy to
read terms. We also put the basic newcomer FAQs on the menu, and we are
constantly reinforcing the need for proper etiquette in local message forums
where newcomers ask and receive help on using the Internet and newsgroups.
If everyone read and followed the guidance, there would be few problems. And
most users do just that. But there is always a percentage of headstrong users
who won't read anything put in front of them until they get in trouble. And
there are others who understand perfectly well what you are telling them, but
just don't care.
I won't try to suggest that we are doing everything that could be done to reach
the new users, because there is always room for improvement. But I do say that
we care and we are aware of the problems, and we are trying our best to see
that our customers behave responsibly.
O-O-
J ) Walt Howe
( ) Internet SIG Manager
()) Delphi Internet Services Corp.
