Writing Popular Fiction: Discussion Groups
"CHATIQUETTE" & DISCUSSION SHORTCUTS:
[You might want to print this for future reference. Either select "File" and then "Print" from the menu in Internet Explorer or Netscape, or else select all the text below with your mouse and copy-and-paste it into a word processor.]
"Chatiquette"
Follow these loose guidelines when chatting:
- Write as briefly or concisely as possible -- keep each post under three sentences maximum. Your idea will scroll by quickly and need to accomodate the scanning eye of the reader.
- Don't confine your chat to one person only, as others may take offense or feel left out. If you need to have a private conversation, use e-mail or move to another chat room.
- Use capital letters for emphasis only; continuous "shouting" this way can be annoying.
- Don't worry too much about proper spelling -- it's assumed that you are responding quickly without taking the time to edit yourself.
- Stay focused -- wait for people to post answers to questions before changing a subject.
- Remember that chat is not entirely private. Chats can be and usually ARE recorded in files, or "captured" by members of the discussion. Conduct yourself as if what you say is being recorded, because it probably is. [Hint: You, too, can "capture" chats by selecting text with your mouse and then typing "ctrl+c" (simultaneously) to "copy" it and the "ctrl+v" to "paste" it into your word processor]
CHAT SHORTHAND
Here are the "codewords" that save so much typing and eyestrain. Try to use them and remember what they mean when chatting.
| :-) |
Smile |
| ;) |
Wink |
| <g> |
Grin |
| FWIW |
For What its Worth |
| FYI |
For Your Information |
| IMO |
In My Opinion |
| IMHO |
In My Honest Opinion |
| LOL |
Laughing Out Loud |
| OTOH |
On the Other Hand |
| ROFL |
Rolling on the Floor Laughing |
| w/ |
With |
| w/o |
Without |
LINKS
Return to the Chatroom Index