Twittered out? Fed-up with Facebook?

SB salutes the refined readers of this blog. After many of you commented on a recent post about grammar, someone has suggested a post on “netiquette.”

A fine idea, given our ever coarsening society, and good timing. I had earlier received an email from John E. McIntyre, director of the Copy Desk at The Baltimore Sun:

Ms. Brett 

A note forwarded to me says that you are working on an article on the pros and cons of correcting people’s grammar. I have just posted on that issue on my blog. 

Here’s the response I sent:

Mr. McIntyre,

I’m so glad to know about your blog. It’s an oasis of erudition amid Internet flotsam. 

I will say I have been pleasantly surprised at the responses this grammar query elicited. So many postings suggest that their authors communicate in real life by crashing metal folding chairs down upon one another’s heads. But the grammar comments seem to represent folks you would not fear, should they approach in a dark alley.

I will update the blog directly to direct my readers your way.

Jennifer

Now then. On to this vexatious netiquette business.

Complaining about emails written in ALL CAPS seem so 2002, but it still drives me nuts when I get screaming missives.

The passive aggressive practice of copying e-mails to people one rung up on the pay scale is beyond tedious.

“Reply all” should be illegal in most cases. If you’ve served on any sort of committee where two members get off on some tangent, yet drag the rest of the group along, you know what I’m talking about.

The more trendy complaint is one of volume, rather than style or content.

I love this clever clip critiquing the growing need so many people have to record every thought and movement on Twitter. And here’s one that suggests over-Twittering should be a crime.

(You do follow me on Twitter, don’t you? You don’t want to be left in the dark the next time I get a Diet Coke.)

If you’ll pardon me I need to write a thank-you note to my charming dinner companion last night. While I’m doing that, tell me: what causes you grief online or in e-mails?