Important Tips on Using E-mail    Electronic mail is a unique medium of communication. Messages can be replied to or forwarded with speed and ease, and e-mail has the potential to reach a wide audience. These features can also be misused. There are a few basic guidelines for the sensible use of e-mail that can help you avoid common mistakes while you enjoy the full benefits of this technology. The privacy of an email message cannot be guaranteed. An email message may be forwarded, printed, or permanently stored by any recipient. E-mail can be misdirected, even when you are careful. Do not put something in an e-mail message that you would not want read by everybody. And if you receive a message intended for someone else, let the sender know. E-mail does not show the subtleties of voice or body language. Avoid attempts at irony or sarcasm. The most effective e-mail is short, to the point, clear, and relevant. If you receive an e-mail message that makes you upset, do not respond immediately, and in any case, avoid "flaming," that is, sending an angry or rude message. As you use e-mail, keep the following tips in mind: E-mail is meant for informal correspondence as well as scholarly, scientific, and clinical communications. You should not use e-mail for official record purposes where a memo would be required (e.g., personnel actions, organization changes, contracts, and policy statements). E-mail should not be considered private. Confidential information should not be sent by email. Because e-mail is informal correspondence, you should regularly delete your old email files. This will help save resources and it will help you to keep your mailbox organized. E-mail replies may go to more people than you realize. When replying to a message be sure to look at the list of recipients, especially addresses of mailing lists, which may redistribute your message to dozens or hundreds of individuals. E-mail can be junk mail. Each recipient gets to decide if a message is "junk," so avoid unnecessary proliferation of messages. If you repeatedly receive unwanted e-mails, there are a few things you can do about it. The integrity of an e-mail message cannot be guaranteed. If a received message seems out of character for the sender, double-check before taking it seriously. E-mail is easily forwarded to someone else. Although this is convenient it is not always appropriate. If you are unsure, ask the sender before you forward a message.