A Little Netiquette

• First, remember all that stuff about the "Acceptable Use Policy" you skimmed over when you applied for your CCIS account? Well, we take them seriously. If you use your CCIS account for bad things, then bad things WILL happen to you. If you have any questions about an activity that you are thinking about, write systems@ccs.neu.edu and ask. In general, they don't bite and will answer serious questions seriously.
• Netiquette refers to all your online communication, not just those in this class. You may have been communicating online for your entire life, but it's always good to review the basics of online conduct. Here is a useful guide.
• We will be using Piazza for the majority of our online communication. Don't write the instructor or the TA via email unless it is absolutely necessary. Use Piazza instead. Piazza allows you to create private messages to the instructor if you want.
• Before you post a question, READ THE EXISTING POSTS. Often your question has already been answered.
• MAKE YOUR SUBJECT LINE DESCRIPTIVE. For example

  what if mouse is dragged outside the canvas?

  is much more informative than

  please help me

• TAG YOUR POSTS. Piazza uses hashtags, like twitter. I've created standard tags (called "folders" in Piazza) in Piazza that will help you (and us) categorize your posts. (For those of you who know, these replace the "forums" in Blackboard). These appear under the "Note Tags" box so you can select them with a click.
  • #hw1 ... #hw10 for questions about the problem sets.
  • #systems for inquiries about the various computer systems we use in class. This is where you can complain about difficulties with svn, etc.
  • You can also create other hashtags, as you see fit.

• FEEL FREE TO RESPOND TO EACH OTHER'S POSTS. We won't hold it against you if your response is incorrect-- indeed, this will help us identify things that the class doesn't understand.

Following these guidelines will get your questions answered more quickly.