Responsible Citizenship Digital Things We All Should Know!! Cordia Coleman Lee

Netiquette Alright……we all know that there are certain acceptable behaviors that exist among the human animal. Certain behaviors are perceived as acceptable, while others are not. So it goes with behavior in cyberspace……..

So….what is “ netiquette ”? It’s network etiquette…….in other words, it is behaving as we should online. It’s network etiquette…….in other words, it is behaving as we should online. Good netiquette is to be nice and communicate effectively. Good netiquette is to be nice and communicate effectively. Remember the Golden Rule…”Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

Netiquette also covers guidelines that shows the exclusive electronic nature of the medium. Netiquette also covers guidelines that shows the exclusive electronic nature of the medium. We must always keep in mind that it is not just a computer screen that we are communicating with. We must always keep in mind that it is not just a computer screen that we are communicating with. There is always a connection to someone else….seen or unseen! There is always a connection to someone else….seen or unseen!

Do’s and Don’ts Always be ethical Always be ethical Never break the law! Never break the law! Remember the other person’s privacy Remember the other person’s privacy And always be copyright aware! And always be copyright aware!

Always Identify yourself. Always Identify yourself. Use appropriate language; avoid coarse, rough, or rude language and observe good grammar and spelling. Use appropriate language; avoid coarse, rough, or rude language and observe good grammar and spelling. Be polite. Be polite. Make sense. Make sense.

Messaging Try to remember that emotions do not transmit very well over the web. Try to remember that emotions do not transmit very well over the web. Re-read what you type if you’re trying Re-read what you type if you’re trying to convey emotion. It may not to convey emotion. It may not read the way you intend it. read the way you intend it.

Re-Cap About every action, one should strive to be conscientious. About every action, one should strive to be conscientious. This makes for a happier and healthier web… This makes for a happier and healthier web…

Copyright and Fair Use Always assume that material on the Internet is copyright protected, whether it says so or not. Always assume that material on the Internet is copyright protected, whether it says so or not. Make sure that you keep yourself out of trouble by citing any material that you may use. Make sure that you keep yourself out of trouble by citing any material that you may use.

What is Copyrighted Material? Copyright protection becomes existent at the time an original work is created. Copyright protection becomes existent at the time an original work is created. According to the U.S. Copyright Office, these works include, but are not limited to………….. According to the U.S. Copyright Office, these works include, but are not limited to…………..

Including, but not Limited to……. Literary works Literary works Music Music Dramatic works Dramatic works Pantomimes and Choreographic works Pantomimes and Choreographic works Pictures, graphics, and sculptures Pictures, graphics, and sculptures Motion pictures and audiovisual works Motion pictures and audiovisual works Sound recordings Sound recordings Architecture Architecture

Ownership of any work may or may not be registered…so, again, play it safe! Ownership of any work may or may not be registered…so, again, play it safe! Work may not be written, copied, or distributed without express permission. Work may not be written, copied, or distributed without express permission.

But……there is Fair Use There are circumstances when it is alright to reproduce or display copyrighted works without the permission of the owner. There are circumstances when it is alright to reproduce or display copyrighted works without the permission of the owner. These circumstances are known as Fair Use and may be found in Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976…….. These circumstances are known as Fair Use and may be found in Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976……..

What are these Circumstances? Well……it all depends on the purpose and character, the nature or type, the amount, and the effect of the use. Well……it all depends on the purpose and character, the nature or type, the amount, and the effect of the use. For example…..a single copy may be made of a chapter from a book, an article from a periodical, a short story, essay, poem, or image. These single copies are only allowed for instructional or educational purposes. For example…..a single copy may be made of a chapter from a book, an article from a periodical, a short story, essay, poem, or image. These single copies are only allowed for instructional or educational purposes.

Plagiarism!! If one does not take care to cite sources, as previously encouraged, then one is guilty of plagiarism. If one does not take care to cite sources, as previously encouraged, then one is guilty of plagiarism. Plagiarism occurs when a work is copied and passed off as an original. It’s stealing, and it’s illegal! Plagiarism occurs when a work is copied and passed off as an original. It’s stealing, and it’s illegal!

Plagiarism Exists When……… Words are stolen! Words are stolen! Someone else’s work is turned in as your own Someone else’s work is turned in as your own Credit is not given Credit is not given Quotation marks are not used when needed Quotation marks are not used when needed Incorrect information is given about a source Incorrect information is given about a source Too many words are copied, making up the majority of your work. Too many words are copied, making up the majority of your work.

Please, Just Remember…. Give credit where credit is due. Give credit where credit is due. Cite anything you use…..just in case. Cite anything you use…..just in case. Be fair Be fair

Safety on the Web There is so much that can place a person in danger when it comes to the web. There is so much that can place a person in danger when it comes to the web. One must be savvy, and extremely careful. One must be savvy, and extremely careful.

So….what do you do??? First and foremost, never give out personal information. First and foremost, never give out personal information. Even be careful about sending pictures, and opening s that you’re not familiar with. Even be careful about sending pictures, and opening s that you’re not familiar with. Never do anything that could cost you money! Never do anything that could cost you money!

Re-Cap So…if you’re not familiar with it……it’s best not to test it. So…if you’re not familiar with it……it’s best not to test it. Once a mistake is made, it can be disastrous, especially in the case of stolen identity. And that’s a whole different game. Once a mistake is made, it can be disastrous, especially in the case of stolen identity. And that’s a whole different game.

Safety on Your Computer We all know that one of the most dangerous aspects of cyberspace is the virus. We all know that one of the most dangerous aspects of cyberspace is the virus. The best thing you can do to The best thing you can do to prevent this from becoming a problem, is install an antivirus software…..and keep it up-dated. prevent this from becoming a problem, is install an antivirus software…..and keep it up-dated.

What to Install There really is no particular brand of antivirus software that works better than another, but generally, the one that has to be paid for is the one that will work best for you. There really is no particular brand of antivirus software that works better than another, but generally, the one that has to be paid for is the one that will work best for you. There are many free versions, but they do not seem to deflect as much. There are many free versions, but they do not seem to deflect as much. A really good software may slow your computer down, but this is better than a sick computer. A really good software may slow your computer down, but this is better than a sick computer.

What else? Always install security patches, and check for updates. Always install security patches, and check for updates. Always use a firewall. Your computer is not safe without one. Always use a firewall. Your computer is not safe without one. Secure your computer’s browser. It is suggested that JavaScript be disabled for all but the sites that must use it. Secure your computer’s browser. It is suggested that JavaScript be disabled for all but the sites that must use it.

Keep up with What’s New Always keep up with the what’s going on in the world of Internet scams. Always keep up with the what’s going on in the world of Internet scams. Make it your business to know. It could save a lot of headaches. Make it your business to know. It could save a lot of headaches.

Re-Cap So…….protecting yourself and your computer may take a little time and money. So…….protecting yourself and your computer may take a little time and money. But in the long run…it’s better to spend a little protecting yourself now, than spending gobs trying to get back your identity later! But in the long run…it’s better to spend a little protecting yourself now, than spending gobs trying to get back your identity later! Play it safe and be happy!!! Play it safe and be happy!!!

References Basics of Copyright. Retrieved January 06, from Internet Safety Tips. (n.d.). Web Safety 4 Kids. Retrieved from Landsman, Mary. (n. d.). Computer Safety Tips. In About.com. Retrieved ttp://antivirus.about.com/od/securitytips/a/safetytips.htmttp://antivirus.about.com/od/securitytips/a/safetytips.htm Shea, Virginia. (1994). Netiquette: The Core Rules of Netiquette. Retrieved from What is Plagiarism. (n.d.). Plagiarismdotorg. Retrieved from