First-Ever Yahoo! Mail Netiquette Survey Finds Need for Proper Online Communications Etiquette — Respondents Score C- On 'Netiquette' Quiz

Business Wire, July 27, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 27, 2000

Netiquette Expert Peggy Post Offers Tips To Increase Awareness and

Understanding of Expressions and Conventions Commonly Used in Online

Communication on Yahoo! Mail

Most people do it several times each day. Most men do it differently than women. Most folks do it more at home than at work. The majority says it improves their social lives. And according to a recent survey, most people don't do it very well. There's no question; e-mail has hit the mainstream.

The Yahoo!(R) Mail Netiquette Survey, released today by Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO), clearly shows that although e-mail and instant messaging have experienced tremendous growth, many people still aren't aware of the do's and don'ts of online communication. Conducted by third party research firm COMsciences Worldwide, the Yahoo! Mail Netiquette Survey explored knowledge of e-mail conventions and on-line etiquette as well as the role and impact of e-mail and instant messaging tools in people's lives.

With more than 13,000 respondents, the results of the online study demonstrate that use of e-mail actually enhances people's lives and complements other tools that people use to stay in touch. However, respondents achieved a dismal average grade of C- (64.5 percent) on the survey's e-mail netiquette quiz, which measured participants' understanding of expressions and conventions commonly used in online communication.

"We were not surprised to see that e-mail is becoming a more important part of people's lives," said Lisa Pollock, senior producer, Yahoo! Inc. "But with so many people scoring low on the Netiquette Quiz, we wanted to offer a way for people to learn more about the do's and don'ts of proper e-mail netiquette. That's why we teamed up with etiquette expert Peggy Post. Together, we created a special area accessible from Yahoo! Mail for people to learn more about netiquette and most importantly, have fun."

Time to Hit the Books? Take the Quiz and Find Out!

People interested in testing their own understanding of e-mail etiquette and common e-mail and instant messaging expressions can take the Yahoo! Mail Netiquette Quiz by clicking on the link on the Yahoo! Mail welcome page at http://mail.yahoo.com. People also can view Peggy Post's netiquette tips to sharpen their skills.

"The Yahoo! Mail Netiquette Survey illustrates an increased need for awareness of some of the rules of practicing proper online etiquette and I'm pleased to be involved in helping people of all abilities better understand proper online etiquette," said Peggy Post, etiquette expert and great-granddaughter-in-law of Emily Post. "As online communication continues to evolve, it's important for all of us to familiarize ourselves with modern conventions and expressions, such as LOL, BRB and 'smiley faces,' that are in widespread use today."

Remembering a few simple guidelines can lead to better netiquette, according to Ms. Post. Some of the most important netiquette guidelines are:

-- Compose Your Thoughts Before Your Letter.

While e-mail and instant messaging may be popular for

flirting and gossiping, keep in mind that messages can be

accidentally or intentionally forwarded to unintended

recipients without the author's knowledge or consent. When

composing a new e-mail, keep in mind that it could

potentially be passed on by its recipient

-- I'm not LOL, it's no joke.

Some people love to receive jokes from friends via e-mail,

however others would rather have a root canal than spend

their time sorting through e-mail jokes. Don't flood friends

and family with useless and irrelevant messages (including

jokes) that they don't even read. Ask friends (via e-mail is

fine) if they want to receive regular blasts of witty humor.

-- NO YELLING, PLEASE.

Avoid using all caps in e-mail messages, it's the equivalent

of yelling at someone, which is rarely, if ever, appropriate.

Come Together, Right Now, Over E-mail...

Results from the Yahoo! Mail Netiquette Survey also indicate that e-mail and instant messaging tools are convenient ways to build social bonds between people. According to the survey, e-mail improves social lives, brings people closer to each other and increases contact with friends and family. In addition to revealing differences in uses among men and women, survey results also indicate that eight out of ten (81 percent) respondents make sure they mind their manners when they compose e-mails.

Yahoo! Mail, one of the largest e-mail providers in the world, and Yahoo! Messenger, the Web's popular instant messaging, information, and notification service are part of Yahoo!'s comprehensive suite of communications services which aim to give people everything they need to communicate and organize their lives in a centralized online location via the Web. From free e-mail, instant messaging, and voice chat to address books, calendars, and personal file storage, Yahoo!'s integrated services offer a wide range of options including the ability to send messages and alerts to and from wireless devices such as cell phones, pagers and personal digital assistants.