Netiquette

Netiquette s a set of social conventions that facilitate interaction over networks, ranging from Usenet and mailing lists to blogs and forums. These rules were described IETF RFC 1855. however, like many internet phenomena the concept and its application remain in a state of flux, and vary from community to community. The points most strongly emphasized about USENET netiquette often include using simple electronic signatures and avoiding multiposting, cross-posting, off-topic posting, hijacking a discussion thread, and other techniques used to minimize the effort required to read a post or a thread. Netiquette guidelines posted by IBM for employees utilizing second life in an official capacity, however, focus on basic professionalism, maintaining a tenable work environment, and protecting IBM's intellectual property.

the history of netiquette began before the 1991 start of the World Wide web, Text-based email, Telnet, Gopher, Wais and FTP from educational and research bodies dominated Internet traffic. At that time, it was considered somewhat indecent to make commercial public postings, and the limitations of insecure, text-only communications demanded that the community have a common set of rules. The term "netiquette" has been in use since at least 1983. as evidenced by posts of the satirical "Dear Emily" Post-news column.

e-learning

E-learning is a term that encompasses all forms of Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) or very specific types of TEL such as online or Web-based learning. Nevertheless, the term does not have a universally accepted definition and there are divides in the e-learning industry about whether a technology-enhanced system can be called e-learning if there is no set pedagogy as some argue e-learning is: "pedagogy empowered by digital technology".

The term e-learning is ambiguous to those outside the e-learning industry, and even within its diverse disciplines it has different meanings to different people. For instance, in companies it often refers to the strategies that use the company network to deliver training courses to employees and lately in most Universities, e-learning is used to define a specific mode to attend a course or program of study where the students rarely or never meet face-to-face, nor access on-campus educational facilities, because they study online.

the objectives of e-learning are:

1. 1. Improved performance
2. 2. Increased access
3. 3. Convenience and flexibility to learners
4. 4. To develop the skills and competencies needed in the 21st century, in particular to ensure that learners have the digital literacy skills required in their discipline, profession or career

the advantages of e-learning are:

1. Pay less per credit hour
2. Reduce overall training time
3. Spread training out over extended periods of time (even months)
4. Bookmark progress (computer remembering where the student left off so they can resume the courses from there)
5. Remain in one location (e.g., home, office, airport, coffee shop, etc.) with no need to travel
6. Receive quality training that bolsters job performance