Introduction to Electronic Mail (E-Mail)

Prepared by Julie Still (still@crab.rutgers.edu)

Examples:

still@crab.rutgers.edu

haynes@rci.rutgers.edu

stilljulie@aol.com

B. Examples of domains:

com   commercial organization

edu   education institution

gov   non-military government organizations

mil   military

net   network resources

org   organization

uk     United Kingdom

jp     Japan

au     Australia

C. Emoticons [smileys] to express emotion or mood

:-)   smile

:)     also a smile

:-(   frown

;-)   wink

D. Shortcuts

"reply"

respond to a message without re-typing the correspondent's email address

"alias"

a one or two word label for one or more email addresses (eg "Mom" for your mother, or "all library" to send a memo to everyone in the library)

"address books"

a personal list of frequently used email addresses

E. Acronyms

btw     by the way

fyi     for your information

imho   in my humble (or honest) opinion

otoh   on the other hand

rtfm   read the f* manual

wrt     with respect to

F. Tips and "Netiquette"

• Find an email buddy and practice
  
• Keep messages short
  
• Always include a brief description in the subject line
  
• DON'T USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS (it looks like shouting)
  
• Don't send "flames" (emotionally charged letters). Think before you write.
  
• Never send anything over email that you wouldn't want to see in the newspaper.
  
• More netiquette for email