15. Read the text again and answer these questions.

1. Why is videoconferencing so useful for virtual workgroups?

2. What special hardware and software do you need to videoconference?

3. Which technology enables people to make phone calls over the Internet?

4. What is the difference between web chat rooms and Instant Messaging?

5. How do you log on to an IM server?

16. Find terms in the text with the following meanings.

1. at a fixed price ________________

2. a central system that provides information about whether users are online and passes instant messages between them _________________

3. a friend list or contact list _________________

4. happening immediately and without delay _________________

5. artificial reality; a 3-D space generated by the computer ______________

6. characters used when interacting with people online ______________

Etiquette – conventional rules of personal behavior in polite society or among members of a profession.

17. Define the term «netiquette».

18. Read the text and match the headlines (a-d) with the paragraphs (1-4).

а) Rules for Talking Online

b) Invading Privacy

c) The Golden Rule

d) Culture and Netiquette

1. People in the West usually shake hands when they first meet. Good friends in Middle Eastern cultures kiss each other three times on the cheeks. The Japanese bow to show their respect and the Thais bring their hands together in front of their face. The online community, too, has its own culture and customs. Good Internet behavior is called Netiquette.

2. The Internet is an international means of communication where you can talk to people online. Asking questions is fun but making jokes about people from other cultures can lead to misunderstanding and bad feelings. Sending hurtful or insulting messages, or flames, to people is bad behavior. Bad or indecent language is not cool but it is rather rude. Everyone is happy when people are friendly.

3. Netiquette includes more than good spelling and grammar. Typing in all upper case is bad as it is the same as SHOUTING. Not starting your sentences with capital letters is lazy. Sending e mails with “Hello” and “Thank you” is nice and polite. The Golden Rule is “Treat others in the same way that you like to be treated”. Remember, real people read what you type!

4. It is also bad Netiquette to send people spam. This kind of unsolicited means people have to cancel something that they did not ask for in the first place. When you use Cc: instead of Bcc: you send other people’s e mail addresses without their permission. This is an invasion of their privacy and breaks the Golden Rule.

19. Choose polite and impolite actions in writing Emails.

а) correct spelling;

b) using Bcc: instead of Cc:;

c) sending e mail that people do not want;

d) greeting someone in the e mail;

e) making jokes about people’s culture;

f) typing in capital letters;

g) flaming people.

20. Complete the sentences with one of the words in bold.

1. Telephones and postal services are both __________ of communication.

2. Different cultures usually have very different ____________ .

3. Please don’t copy my e mail to other people. It’s an __________ of my

_____________ .

4. Try asking interesting questions _____________ – trying to think of funny things to say.

5. People on the Internet are always complaining about ___________ email.