Why is computer etiquette so important?

The purpose of etiquette, computer or otherwise is to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome, and to show respect and consideration. Additionally, on the computer, we need to use good etiquette so we can communicate effectively. For example, when we use run on sentences, don't spell correctly (or use arcane abbreviations), type in all capital letters, etc...not only are we being inconsiderate, we are making it hard for others to communicate with us.

I've read that a majority of human communication occurs non-verbally. This means that a shift of your eyes, the tone of your voice, your crossed or uncrossed arms/legs, etc. give an incredible amount of nuance and meaning to your words.

When people communicate using email, text messages, IM, etc. and are not face-to-face, all of that non-verbal component is missing. It is important to use computer etiquette to help ensure your message sent is the same message that is received. It is very easy to misinterpret computer communication, good etiquette helps reduce misunderstandings.

The use of communication via computers is rapidly growing. However, unlike every other form of communication, there is no way to tell the impact of your words until it's too late. When speaking face to face, you receive all sorts of nonverbal cues in the form of facial expressions and body language. Even over the phone, you still get a general sense of how the other person is reacting from the tone of their voice. With computers, all you get is words. While this is not much different from sending a letter, the other party receives it almost instantly, so there's no way to fix mistakes.

i balieve that as communicating through new technology becomes more and more a part of our lives, rules of etiquette needs to evolve too.any form of communication there are unspoken rules that should be followed. can you imagine if you recieved a letter that didnt start with dear ......,? or if your friends dropped around all the junk mail that they got at your house like people do with forwarded emails. i think its hard for a lot of people when they start using a computer to try to break in to what is appropriate or not. i think like anything if something is bothering us, we need to let that person know that what their doing is innapropriate.

Well for starters, good etiquette in any medium is important, spoken or wriiten. For example your question without a please or a thankyou doesn't really engender me to offer more than a brief (curt) response...