Betty teaches you the importance of keeping your OFFLINE identity separate from your ONLINE identity

Betty

Betty
Cyber Defender & Clubhouse Supervisor

Betty learned the hard way about sharing too much information online when rumors she had spread through her online blog upset some of her friends. Since then she has made it her goal to educate everyone about what information is inappropriate or unsafe to share online to prevent others from getting hurt.

As a Cyber Defender, Betty focuses on the most important information you should never share online, your offline identity.

Favorite Quote:

A stumble may prevent a fall
- English Proverb

Favorite Food:

Tea and crumpets

Interests:

Chatting, macrame, collecting teacups

September 23 2008

Safe Online Communication: Online Games with live voice chatting

Chatting in online games can be a great way to communicate with other players and can be necessary sometimes when you are trying to complete a task with a group of people. However, typing messages can take a long time. It can put your avatar at risk of attack while you are distracted. It can also spam the chat channel and annoy other players. A better option might be to use voice chatting.

To make chatting easier, many online games and software companied have developed voice chatting. Players can use a microphone or headset and chat with each other just like on the telephone. It's very important to take precautions when using voice chatting. It can be very risky.

Just like with any online communication, you should protect your personal information when voice chatting. The sound of your voice can reveal a lot about you, like whether you are a boy or girl or how old you are. To prevent this, many online voice chatting programs allow you to disguise the sound of your voice with a mask or filter. This voice mask becomes part of your online identity and makes it safer to chat, but keep in mind that other players can also hide who they are behind a voice mask.

Other dangers of voice chatting are cyber bullies and people who say things that make you feel uncomfortable or scared. Unfortunately, game companies can't do much to prevent this. It's very difficult to monitor or filter voice chatting, but you can usually mute or block people who are being rude. You can also report them to the Game Moderators. Many games also have parental controls to turn off voice chatting if a player is misusing it or being unsafe.

posted by Betty
topics: Safe Online Communication, Case Studies

September 9 2008

Netiquette: Online Gaming Netiquette

Online multiplayer games can be a lot of fun and much more exciting than games you play by yourself, and many games allow you to chat with the other players. Just like any interacting in Cyberspace, you should follow good Netiquette when doing so:

  • Be polite - No one wants to play with a rude person. If you need help with something, ask politely. Don't forget to say please and thank you. Don't be annoying.
  • Communicate clearly - Especially when you are playing in a group, you should make sure everyone is ready and knows the plan before jumping into action. Sometimes mistakes happen, but if you screw up, apologize.
  • Learn the terminology - Players often create their own language of abbreviations for online games, like using AFK for Away From Keyboard. If you're going to be playing with other experienced players, you could easily get confused. Make an effort to learn the terminology, so that you can understand everyone and join in.
  • Don't spam - Spamming in an online game is when you send multiple messages or invitations, one right after the other. This is generally annoying to everyone. In addition, it clutters up the screen. Don't keep sending invites if they get turned down. Use private messages if you are having a conversation with someone. Only use the chat channel when you have something to say to everyone.
  • Don't be a cyber bully - This should go without saying. If you are being bullied by someone in a game, ignore them or report them to the Game Moderators.
  • Play fair - Don't try to cheat other players and don't use hacking software to cheat the game. Not only is it unfair, but you can get banned from the game.
  • Help out the new players - You were a new player, too, once. Be helpful to new players and show them the ropes, you may even make a new friend!
  • Don't tell other people how to play - Even if you've been playing for a long time and you think another player is doing something "wrong," unless they ask for your help or are causing problems for you, keep it to yourself.
  • Don't be a bad sport - Remember, it's just a game. Sometimes online games can get very frustrating, but don't let it ruin your day. If something is really making you upset, log off and go do something else.

posted by Betty
topics: Netiquette