16 Biggest Tech No-Nos

by Dan Reilly — Apr 2nd 2009 at 11:30PM

Whether it's the colleague who CC's you on irrelevant e-mails or the stranger who makes loud, public phone calls, many people are downright rude in their gadget use and online behavior. You may not agree with all of them, but we've compiled 16 common tech no-nos, along with ways to avoid them in the future. Read on, because a little more respect and politeness never hurt anyone, right?

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Tags: etiquette, faux pas, FauxPas, features

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

stan said 9:07PM on 4-02-2009

There's nothing wrong with reply all. If you don't want someone to know don't send it in the first place. After all whoo are you trying to impress.

jenny said 9:37PM on 4-02-2009

Put simply....if you don't want peoiple to get the answer DON"T INCLUDE them!!!!!!!
I was once reprimanded for NOT using REPLY ALL....If the people are on there ,then they obviously need the answer is what I was told at the time.To my credit ...lesson learned....but my customers and boss came to regret that as I'll tell the truth.I was later informed that I should only reply to the person sending me the email-I asked to have that in writing -I didn't receive it ,but I have never heard about it again......Stop adding people if you don't want them to get the response!

rolla said 10:29PM on 4-02-2009

Just hit reply all and get your message to everyone without wasting time doing individual responses or trying to figure who should or not be in the loop.

Norbert Roach said 10:33PM on 4-02-2009

I never, "reply all"...and don't even reply to those forwards containing information that if you don't forward this to "X" number of people within "X" number of minutes
all sorts of bad things will happen to you.
Personally, if I like a certain forward, I copy and paste the message into an email and send it back to myself...but also send it on to one or more in the BCC so no one else sees the message. It works.
As to cell phones. Yes, I have one, and think they are great. As to text messages, I think they will be the ruin of correct spelling, which will put "more" folks out of work, the Dictionary people...and the spelling teachers.
One more thing about cell phones. I predict that if it hasn't happened already, sometime, somewhere a funeral service will be underway in a church, when suddenly a cell phone will ring from within the coffin.
I also predict, to the consternation of those attending the service....someone may even, "answer that call".
Anyway, nothing surprises me anymore. How about you?

Teresa said 10:49PM on 4-02-2009

Maybe one of you can answer a question for me?? I was told that if I use CC button, It will not show up the email address to everyone?? Is that true??
If not? Is there anyway if your'e sending something out to a few people, that everyone can't see someone else's email address for privacy reasons? Thanks a lot, Teresa

Joanne said 10:57PM on 4-02-2009

HI Teresa,
To send email out to a lot of people, without anyone seeing anyone else's email address. You simply put in everyone's email address in the mail to section, then put a parenthis ( at the beginning of the first name and another ) at the last email input, example.

(jsmith@aol.com,jsmith@yahoo.com,jsmith@wildblue.net)

this works for AOL mail, it's the easiest way to do it.

Ann said 11:04PM on 4-02-2009

BCC, means "blind carbon copy". Use that. Not just CC.

Carolea said 11:39PM on 4-02-2009

yes, you use blind copy. On aol you can put parentheses around the email name orclick on bc for blind copy. You can try it on your own computer, email yourself. Hope this helps.

gilcarvr said 7:48PM on 4-03-2009

what? are you 2...?
a noobie...?
or just stoopid...?
cc is available to all...
BCC blocks e'mail addresses from all recipients...

Teresa Lee said 10:24PM on 4-03-2009

Hey gilcarvr---- GROW UP! Why do you have to be so mean and rude?? Not everyone is on the computer 16 hours a day you know! I am not a stupid or a noobie,or 2 anything else kind that you called me?? I am 54! NOT 2 and I did graduate from Colleage to! Did you? Not to nice to talk to someone who has never written to this site before or asked anyone for help either! I never thought I would be called names or put down for asking a question either? I've used cc aand Bcc, that's the reason I'm asking about it here, I was told it was NOT working! I don't like being RUDE to people is all, and I don't want thier email address all over the place! It's an invasion of thier privacy! Unlike you, I care about peoples feelings! Now, go change your diaper and go to bed! Isn't it past your bedtime?? thanks for you answer anyway's! Teresa

GAURAV KUNDNANI said 11:48AM on 4-07-2009

use bcc - blind carbon copy:)

RMM65 said 10:54PM on 4-02-2009

WHAT'S WRONG WITH CAPS. I USE THEM AND ALWAYS WILL, IF IT'S NOT LIKED, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE READ!!!!

Cindy from Indy said 2:53AM on 4-03-2009

Hmmmm.......refusing to conform, eh? We have strict punishments and special places for people like you who won't stop shouting at everyone because you think that (1. Caps make you stand out (2. You are being a rebel and (3. You secretly crave the attention of the people who constantly call you out. Well let me say (1. Caps make you stand out, but not in a good way (2. You are being annoying to everyone except ones like you and (3. You should be ignored...........starting............now

Jack Seabourn said 11:27PM on 4-02-2009

WHO WAS THE ITIOT THAT CAME UP WITH THIS THINGS ANY WAY????????

td said 12:22AM on 4-03-2009

Also, never respond or write a work email from home after a few glasses of wine. If you feel compelled to do so, write the email and send it to yourself for review in the morning before sending to your audience.

MotherMady said 1:49AM on 4-03-2009

Biggest Tech No-Nos #17: AOL's import articles that do not fit on the screen properly so that you have to scroll down to click on Next unless you adjust the inset up ahead of time, every time, time after time. And even then, AOL cuts off the copy next to some of its pictures. And don't even try Screen Name Service...

Lisa said 2:24AM on 4-03-2009

I think it's funny. These blogs are always about people complaining or people complaining about someone complaining. It's such a vicious cycle.... roflmao !!!

STEVE said 4:47AM on 4-03-2009

how about while driving for all those people who can't wait to get home or just pull over for all us people who have to just drive.

Carl said 5:57AM on 4-03-2009

Biggest Tech No-Nos #0: Turning 16 short bullets/paragraphs into a 16-page slideshow, especially when the photos are purely stock and add nothing to the content.

"TLDNR"

Shane said 11:16AM on 4-08-2009

That is why I read the text only of the article on Digg when the 4th comment said '16 pages' and the 7th comment posted all the text.
If the writers want people to come to the site to see the ads then they should format them so that people don't have to reload the page every 20 seconds to get more text. I got to read the article without seeing a single ad on Digg, and popped in here and scrolled down to find a comment like yours so I could chime in on the idiocy of the multi-page format. I've not seen any ads long enough for them to make an impact; therefor I've used up the hosts server cycles and power with no benefit to them purely based on their choice of layout for the article.

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