Internet-Age Etiquette - Not There Yet?

[ikarcuaso]

Like someone who gives your email address to others, or enters it into some random website so you can be forwarded some content, put on their distribution, and eventually wind up on a few more spammers' lists.

When are we at the point where giving up someone's email address is equivalent to freely handing over a phone number or home address w/o that person' consent, and thus considered improper or unacceptable?

And how about the person who uses the computer at someone's house they are visiting, doesn't see the desktop app or browser plug-in/ActiveX control/whatever they want, and proceeds to download and install as they please, at the same time inviting in all kinds of spyware, etc. And while they're at it, why not use the homeowners email account in Outlook Express to get confirmation emails when registering at infectmycomputer.com

When will this be like using that homeowners telephone to make an overseas call w/o permission (or paying for it)?

I'm sure there are those who are aware enough not to do this stuff, but there are many who think nothing of it. They visit my house, and I get emails because of them all the time. Just a personal rant.

[masraum]

lock your stuff up!

I use the Dvorak keyboard layout instead of QUERTY. No one but the geekiest could manage to type on my comp anyway.

[Tidybuoy]

My 17 yr old nephew now brings his laptop when his family comes and stays at my house. Those are my rules after he wrecked my computer downloading who knows what the previous visit.

[Hawktel]

I've been at the point that I would be angry at anyone who gave out me email address, for oh say 10 years.

[svandamme]

waaaaaaay worse then intentionally handing over an email adress

is when moron's participate in chain letters , and forward it to the entire adresbook,
all in the TO or CC field, so everybody can see who else was on the list...

just handing over my email adress, in private,
in a sense of "maybe ask this guy for whatever" , no big deal compared to the above

[onewhippedpuppy]

Who are you having over?! If lots of kids use your computer, set up a seperate user account and password protect the admin account. Restrict the user account to not downloading/installing software, and load up on the anti-spyware and antivirus.

My in-laws' kids killed their old desktop within a month by downloading crap. Mostly "free" games, movies, etc. They couldn't seem to grasp that nothing on the internet is really free. I used the above approach on their new computer, it's still working well after nearly a year. I just made sure their software (iTunes, MSN, etc) was installed BY ME before I left their house.

As for the email stuff, I can't help you out. Use the phone instead?

[rcecale]

Originally Posted by svandamme

waaaaaaay worse then intentionally handing over an email adress

is when moron's participate in chain letters , and forward it to the entire adresbook, all in the TO or CC field, so everybody can see who else was on the list...

just handing over my email adress, in private,
in a sense of "maybe ask this guy for whatever" , no big deal compared to the above

+ 100000000000000000000000000000n16

This has got to be my biggest pet peeve when it comes to e-mail.

Randy