The ten online commandments

The Internet is moving so quickly that it's impossible to adequately deal with the ethical and social issues that are daily popping up (privacy issues, cyber-stalking, netiquette, etc.)

Inspired by Pope Benedict XVI announcing seven new social sins, I have decided to begin addressing these issues by proposing a list of ten online commandments.

Let's make the Intraweb a better place starting today by following these simple rules:

1. Thou shalt reply to all email messages within 48 hours.
2. Thou shalt not forward kitschy photos, chain messages, or inspirational messages to your friends every day. This is an old lesson, but many of you have yet to learn. Just remember that even the most avid cat person can only stomach so many softly lit photos of fluffy white kittens lounging on pink satin. And if the message contains Holly Hobby in any of her cloying poses, delete it immediately.
   
3. Thou shalt not feel obliged to accept Facebook friend requests from people you disliked in high school. The popularity contest is over, you won, so there's no need to keep campaigning.
4. Thou shalt have two email addresses - one for professional communication and one for personal communication - because sending a CV to your dream employer from sexkitten78@hotmail.com may not make a great impression.
5. Thou shalt always double and triple check recipient names before sending an email, because you don't want everyone in the building to receive that bitchy bile-infused vent about your boss that was only meant for your friend down the hall.
6. Thou shalt always spell-check email before hitting "send" so as not to send a communication about "slut machines" or "cleaning up the asses outside the front door".
7. Thou shalt not post pictures of your latest drunken mis-adventures on Facebook if there is the slightest chance that you bosses or coworkers will see it. Unless you want everyone in the office to start referring to you as "drunkey monkey".
8. Thou shalt only conduct one or two MSN Messenger conversations as a time. This decreases the chance of you accidentally sending the message "I can't stand that back-stabbing cow" to the bovine in question.
9. Thou shalt not download movies at work. It weighs down the connection and adversely affects the people who are actually trying to do work. Offenders (you know who you are) - save that for after work.
10. Thou shalt CC key people on certain emails if there is the least chance that the whole project may go belly up and you have to redeem yourself later. When the finger-pointing begins, you'll be able to print the proof. Try not to look smug either.

Are there more?

Did I just see Charlton Heston go by my office door?