CAP LOCKS

One of the most important things to know about email etiquette is to TURN OFF THE CAP LOCK. When people first start using email they are tempted to turn on the cap lock because it is a hassle to keep pushing the shift button for every letter they need capitalized. So they figure that they will just put the cap lock on and not worry about it. However capitalizing every letter is considered rude and equivalent to shouting. Also the letters kind of squints together and become tiring to read.

When I first got on the computer I did the same thing. However some lady at the library told me exactly what I am telling you. So I made the effort to do it properly. This happens more often when the person doing the typing does the 2 finger typing. (one finger from each hand). There are computer software programs that will teach you how to type if you want to use them. Or you can take a course somewhere. Or just take the time to push the shift key whenever you want to capitalize a letter.

I found that sometimes I get to going too fast and accidentally push the cap lock button. So I just took a screwdriver and popped the cap lock button off.

Bulk Mailing

If there is one thing I cannot stand. It is having someone send me an email as a bulk mail with my email address in the TO line. Often your friends want to share a humorous joke with you and a few close friends. So they forward the joke to several people they know by placing them all in the To field of their email program. Then sending it to them. They often explain that they know and trust every one they send it to so it is OK. Let me say right now that "NO!!!  It is not OK!!!".

Here is the deal. Every one that receives the forwarded email in the "TO" line can see every one else's email address that was put in the TO line. And unless you give that person permission to send your email address to someone else. Then that is an invasion of privacy. Kind of like giving out your phone number without asking first. Not to mention that it often gets forwarded again and again. Until it gains more and more email address and eventually winds up in the email inch box of a spammer like a Christmas present. So now your well meaning friend has opened you up to receiving a ton of spam. Not exactly what I would call a friend.

Here is the solution: Instead of using the TO field. Use the Bcc field. Bcc stands for Blind Carbon Copy, meaning that your email address is blind, or hidden from all other recipients. All email programs have a Bcc field. Sometimes it is not obvious however it is still there. I will explain on the Outlook express how it works.

If you open Outlook express. You will notice that it only shows the TO and the Cc (Carbon Copy) fields.  However if you click on the To button. It will open up another page where you can select your recipient and you can select the Bcc at that point. You can bulk send as many people as you like using the Bcc method. And no one will see the others email address.

If you have a friend that Bulk mails you in the TO field. Let them know that you do not wish to be bulked mailed with your address in the TO field. Be very delicate while explaining because sometimes they take it personally like you have done something bad to them. However be firm and let them know that you value their friendship and if they value your friendship. Then they will respect your wishes. Otherwise you will have to put them on your block email list. At some point they might confront you and ask you about an email that they sent and you will have to explain that you found it necessary to blackmail their email address because of this. Then maybe they will get the hint.

Now you have 2 basic options. One is to put them on your spam filter black list. And the other is to change your email address. Some email programs offer this option, but sometimes you will have to change email providers. You cannot stop them from sending out your email address. You can only stop receiving their emails.