Sender: Rare Books and Special Collections Forum <EXLIBRIS@RUTVM1.BITNET>
I've just sent Mario what is probably his zillionth copy of TB's unwarrentedly
(I think; and pardons for the word) controversial message.
Discussions on the etiquette of e-communications continue over the net;
MEDTXT-L has just been having one. I believe that some research has indicated
that e-tongues are likely to sharpen more quickly than the physical ones, but
my observation is also that the e-community is extraordinarily forthcoming and
helpful.
Both reactions to e-messages would seem to arise from the at least relative
freedom from becoming entangled in a situation as a result of our utterances.
E-communication partakes strongly of the hit-and-run - you may hit hard with
a baseball bat on the back of the head, or you may touch someone's arm and
hand over a gift basket - but in either case you are gone. Bad figures; don't
try to analyze.
Basically, we should always remember that, although e-responses tend to be
immediate, they are not qualified by body language. More than in oral com-
munication, then, the benefit of the doubt needs to be extended. Although
I can't say that I know TB really, what I have picked up makes me believe that
he is really interested in everything and everybody in the RBSC scene.
Peace
Kathryn Wright
Indiana State University
P.S. There is a basic "dictionary" of smiley faces or emoticons devised to
lend some e-body language to e-messages. A copy is on the filelist of NOTRBCAT
and can be ordered by sending mail to LISTSERV@INDYCMS (VAX on Bitnet)
LISTSERV AT INDYCMS (IBM on Bitnet)
whichever INDYCMS.IUPUI.EDU or
INDYCMS.BITNET (Internet
users)
and including as the sole message line:
GET SMILEY DICTION
If you have trouble receiving files, ask for it to come as mail:
GET SMILEY DICTION F=MAIL
Cheers! :-) Ksw