Online Etiquette

The Most Important Rule
Treat your fellow Bizee Bee users with respect. Don’t write anything to anyone that you wouldn’t want them to write to you.
Be Exact, But Also Be Clear
No one should have to work very hard to understand another person's main point. Give enough background information to allow everyone to follow your idea, but not so much background material that you'll bore your readers.
Avoid Acronyms, Where Possible
Although this is the age of text messaging, do not use acronyms like IMHO (In My Humble Opinion), WAYTA (What Are You Talking About?), or FWIW (For What It's Worth). Not everyone will be familiar with this shorthand and your acronym may confuse or slow down others' ability to understand your posting. If you encounter an unfamiliar acronym online, ask the writer for clarification.
Think About It Before You Send It
It is much more difficult to take back something that you've written than something that you've said. Don't send anything in writing that you wouldn't feel comfortable saying to someone in person.
Try to Be Culturally/Internationally Sensitive and Considerate
Bizee Bee users must be sensitive to the fact that Web audiences are composed of people from different cultures. Always consider that readers may not be familiar with aspects of your culture that you take for granted as "common knowledge." Provide a brief description of any term or idea that may be unfamiliar to members of your audience.
Be Polite! Prevent Sparks From Developing Into a Fire
A "spark" is an online posting that takes a particularly vicious, mean-spirited tone or approach. For better or worse, many people will say things online that they would never say to someone in a face-to-face situation. Avoid criticizing a person online; instead, offer an alternative perspective on what the person has written. Personal attacks inhibit communication by raising everyone's defenses. Try to ignore others' attempt to provoke a violent response. If you take offense to something online, express your feelings calmly to the appropriate person - preferably by private e-mail, rather than in a public forum.
Be Careful When Using Humor (Especially Sarcasm)
This is one of the most common occasions for offense and misunderstanding in online communication. Not everyone will understand that you are trying to be funny. See the following rule.
Use "Emoticons" To Express Your Emotions Online
Emoticons (icons that express emotions) may strike some people as unnecessary or silly, but they have a very valid purpose in online communication. Since we cannot see others' facial expressions in most online situations, these icons can provide important information about a person's intentions when writing something. The most commonly used emoticon is sometimes called a "smiley" -- :). You can create the first smiley by typing a colon followed by a right-facing parentheses. (Many word-processing programs now include "smileys" in their repertoire of font choices.) A "winking smiley" is often used after someone makes a wry joke, and wants to be certain that a reader "hears" the ironic tone: ;). More and more variations on the basic smiley are being used on the Web today: search the Web for emoticon indexes.
*Do Not Use Offensive Language, Terminology or Post Inappropriate Photos, Images OR Graphics The Bizee Bee Parents Blog & Photo Gallery are online social networks for parents and/or families. If you are consciously trying to offend people, then the Bizee Bee Parents site isn’t the network for you. Don’t use words that could be considered racist, sexist, ageist, and any other perspective that reflects insensitivity, prejudice, and bias based on ignorant disrespect. Don't curse or swear online. People will pay attention to your words, rather than to the idea you're trying to communicate so forcefully. Don’t post photos, images or graphics that could be considered inappropriate or offensive.
Be Mindful of Others’ Need For Privacy
Online communication can quickly make you feel intimate with people who are relative strangers. Not everyone wishes to share details about themselves online. Be cautious when asking others for personal information about themselves. Keep in mind that different people have different expectations regarding what should be public, and what should be private, information.
Don't Capitalize Every Word, and Be Wise When Using Exclamation Points!!!!!!!
Capitalizing every word in a statement is the online equivalent of yelling. No one likes to be yelled at, so avoid capitalizing every letter in a posting. Likewise, there's really no reason to type in a dozen or more exclamation points. A better way to emphasize words online uses an asterisk (*) immediately before and after the words you want to stress. Careful placement of these asterisks can communicate subtle differences of meaning.
If You’re Unsure, Ask Precise Questions
The best way to learn is to participate actively, which includes asking questions whenever you are unclear about something or would like further information. The more details you include when posing a question, the more likely it is that you'll find a quick, directed answer.
Be Patient, and Be Polite
Everyone online has a different level of technical experience or accessibility. Everyone online has a different level of familiarity with the language being spoken or the topic under consideration. Be polite and be patient with one another. Expect that there will be misunderstandings in online communication, and make every effort to resolve misunderstandings quickly and courteously.
Report Any Abuses on the Bizee Bee Parents site to Customer Service
If you feel that anyone has abused any of the aforementioned Bizee Bee Parents online etiquette rules, please contact us.

*Please note: Bizee Bee Parents reserves the right to remove and/or delete any information, message, text, photo, image or graphic at any time, and without explanation, from the Bizee Bee Parents site. We also reserve the right to cancel and/or delete a person’s user profile from the Bizee Bee Parents Blog and/or Photo Gallery at any time and without explanation.