Web Page: 5 Ways to Collaborate on Documents Online in Real Time
Web Page: Netiquette
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Collaborating Online
Our present-day connectedness means that you can collaborate with people that you have never met in person. These two pages provide tips for safely working with others on the Internet.
Collaboration Opportunities
Because the Internet makes information and ideas easy to share, online collaboration allows you to present your work, comment on others’ work, and even create something together. Here are common types of online collaboration.
- Wikis are Web pages that provide a common space for creating, editing, and saving text and other media. Many users can log on to the wiki and make changes to the content there.
- Blogs are “Web logs”—online journals or information sites. Unlike a wiki, a personal blog has one person or one narrowly defined group as the creator of content. However, you can get involved by leaving comments after blog posts or the comments of other readers. You might even get into a conversation with the person who wrote the original post.
- Social media such as Facebook and Twitter can connect you with people who have similar interests. You’ll find links to articles, videos, and other interesting media, and you can use social media to crowd-source answers to questions that you have.
- Chat services let you write in real time to one or more persons, creating a kind of digital conversation.
- Email lets you quickly and reliably communicate with others. It can carry links, files, pictures, videos, and other media as well. Email has taken the place of business letters for most official correspondence.
- VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) allows you to make a video phone call to people around the world. VOIP also allows you to send files, share screens, and basically carry on a meeting with those on the other end. Some VOIP services charge a fee, but others are free.
- Forums, or message boards, offer opportunities to discuss topics with others who are interested in the same issues. You’ll find forums on everything from astrophysics to popular entertainers. Ask questions—or answer them—and join the discussion.
Your Turn What is your favorite way to collaborate with others online? What way have you not yet tried but would like to? Discuss your answers with a partner.
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Using Netiquette
Netiquette is the etiquette of the Internet—the behaviors considered acceptable and unacceptable on the World Wide Web. Follow these tips to ensure that you work well with others online.
- Respect yourself. Know that the Internet is written in permanent ink. Whatever you post there will be available somewhere for the rest of time. For that reason, represent yourself well. Avoid posting photos or comments that you will regret. Connect with those that you trust.
- Respect others. Remember that there are real people at the other end of your message. Just as you would not insult or hurt someone sitting across the table from you, don’t insult or hurt people in an online setting.
- Respect privacy. Don’t reveal anyone’s private information. Don’t post pictures that you would not want a potential employer to see, and don’t post such pictures of others.
- Respect cultural differences. When you go online, you’ll bump into people from India to South Africa to Finland. Recognize that different cultures have different ideas about what is acceptable. Be respectful of diverse histories, religions, and customs.
- Know the ground rules. When collaborating with others online, be aware of what you can change and what you need permission to change in someone else’s work. Make sure that you and others agree about how to proceed.
- Cite sources. If you get ideas or information from a specific location, make sure to refer to the source and link to it. In the same way, those who get information from a page that you create should give you credit.
- Interact. If you read an article that you like, leave a comment letting the person know. If you have a question about a blog post, respectfully ask the question. People want to hear from you and converse with you.
Your Turn Review the netiquette rules above. Which do you think is most important to remember? Why? What other rules of netiquette would you add to the list? Why?