Net Etiquette
Internet Abbreviations
Internet Chat Safety Section

    The Internet has created its own culture, language, and customs. Granted, some of these are made up as the users operate on the Internet, but, there are some standard rules that do apply. Please note that the following, with the exception of the Internet shorthand, such as LOL, or ROFL, are the personal observations of the Chatmag staff.
 
 

    The very nature of Internet Chat allows each user a certain degree of anonymity, to be or do things that they would normally not do in ordinary conversation. Role playing is very common, particularly in the Adult Chat Channels. Please note, role playing is different than Posing, which is addressed in Chat Safety Issues. In addition to Adult role playing, there are also Game Chat Channels that the users enjoy, and act out various roles.  We have found that the people who chat in the Adult Chat Channels take their role playing very seriously, and are offended if someone comes into the Channel and disrupts their activities. Even though a user enjoys anonymity, please remember that some users are a bit apprehensive; it does take a certain amount of courage to join a Chat Channel, and let ones inner feelings be known.
 
 

    Occasionally, in some of the Adult Chat Rooms, people will sometimes come in, with the purpose of disrupting the chat, either for maliciousness or disagreeing with a particular chat room's theme.  We have seen 'bots, programs designed to flood the chat room; advertising, particularly on Yahoo or other Web Based chats that are unmoderated; and other people private messaging others without asking.

    On IRC chat, the offensive user is usually kicked out by a Channel Operator. In Chat Channels without Operators, such as Yahoo Chat, the Chat users must use the command /ignore or click the ignore option in Yahoo. Disrupting a Chat Channel is offensive, and serves no useful purpose. If a user finds a particular Channel offensive, the best policy is to simply not join the Channel. No cause will be served by harassing users.

    On IRC, most registered chat rooms have rules established by their founders. On IRC, to view the rules for a chat room, type !rules in your dialogue box, and a set of rules for that chat room will appear. Or, ask an Op, signified by a @ by their nickname. Not following the chat room rules will at the least get you a reprimand, or at worst, kicked or banned from the chat room. The Operators are there to assist and make sure the chat room is a fun and friendly place to visit, not to act as guards, but should anyone be disruptive, some of them take their work very seriously, so be forewarned.

    As with anything else, where one chats is a matter of personal taste, and the responsibility to chat or not chat lies with the individual. I cannot stress this too strongly;  Please, allow those who wish to chat their freedom to do so in which ever room they choose. I am sure that you would wish the same courtesy extended to your chat, in Channels that you enjoy.
 
 

    The Internet is full of cryptic shorthand that makes a point, without having to spell out every word. This can be very useful in a chat channel that is fast moving, other chatters can see your message in an instant. Some of the more common abbreviations are:

LOL-Laughing Out Loud. Mild Amusement At A Remark By Another User. Or, you could do LOL at the end of a remark, to show your remarks are in humor, not to be taken seriously. Or, use a smile, :-)
ROFL-Rolling On Floor Laughing. Strong Amusement At A Remark.
LMAO-Laughing my ass off. Pretty powerful laugh, use sparingly.
BRB-Be Right Back. Indicates The User Is Away From The Keyboard For A Short Period. Perhaps Getting A Cup Of Coffee.
BBL-Be back later. No set time period, could be weeks, LOL!
AFK-Away From Keyboard. User Is Still Online, And In Channel, But Is Taking An Extended Break. Usually Means "Too Much Coffee", Or Perhaps A Phone Call.
CLICK-Used In Yahoo Chat and elsewhere, This Means The User Is Ignoring Someone Who Is Offensive. When you put someone on ignore, you "click" them.