Computer Etiquette Tips for Seniors

Whether the sender knows it or not, deleting is one of the favored choices on a computer.  Of course, a lot of stuff/junk/uninvited garbage shows up on my monitor anyway. For those who think it is perfectly okay to send any and everything, listen closely:  “A lot of your stuff never gets read, acknowledged and most often is unappreciated.”

Like junk mail, so much of what comes across my computer is “junque non gratia.”  I just don’t want to be bothered.  Deleting is a discreet way to dismiss much of it.  Yet, it keeps coming.  How to get the attention of those who think they are being clever by adding to the mountain of unread, undesirable stuff is a never ending task.  One might try the junk mail trick by returning the message unread, but how do you do that?

Some seem to think that what they find as folksy and cute and “profound” will also appeal to me.  It doesn’t.  And yet there are those who find and share, on occasion, a message that really is quite meaningful and a compliment that it is shared.

Before adding a person’s name to a growing list of those who receive your material, perhaps it would be good to review that name in terms of who he/she is;  what does he/she find appealing; why would I want to send “stuff” to them;  when I never hear from them, what does that tell me; maybe they don’t like what I am sending; and with that remove them from the list.

Communicating, particularly via the Internet, allows for too many rude assumptions.  Perhaps, a review of computer and email etiquette would be well considered.

Advice to Apply to Email Recipients

*Don’t send political junk mail.

*Don’t assume everyone agrees with the point of view your mail implies.

*Don’t send stuff that has already flooded the Net.

*Think through what the message is, before hitting the forward button.

*Think about what the person receiving your mail thinks about you when you send it.

*If you wish to continue a relationship with people who send “stuff” try to find a way to suggest they don’t send further “stuff.”

*Remind yourself to follow your own rules.  Don’t send to others what you do not care to receive yourself.

*Tread softly when sending “religious” or “inspirational” stuff.  Not everyone appreciates the same things you do.

*If you question whether the person receiving would want to get your “stuff” just delete their name.

*Avoid sending mass “stuff” that requests that the receiver forward it to others.

*Discreetly avoid contact with those who send mail you don’t appreciate.  Maybe they will eventually get the message.

Finally, if all else fails, remember it is possible to block persons from any communication with you at all.  This is the nuclear solution to unwanted, uninvited stuff, but also removes any contact of any other kind.  Perhaps, starting with this option will send a very strong message:  Include me out!