Rules of Etiquette for an Unseemly Profession
  Written By Titmowse

et·i·quette - noun :the conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life . -Synonyms- decency, dignity, propriety, seemliness -Related Words- behavior, conduct, deportment, manners; amenities, civilities, formalities; convention, form, protocol.

Since before the days of the Middle Ages, humans have adopted codes of social behavior mostly as a form of survival. The military salute comes from the days when knights would motion at the visors of their helmets to inform another they wished to talk not kill. The handshake originated as a way to show a fellow that you were unarmed. Even the harmless toast came from the practice of clinking glasses so the contents would mix and discourage poisoning. Through the ages, what was once defensive behavior became social convention. Rules of social function have splintered off into specialized areas as humanity moved from an agricultural society to and industrialized society. There are codes of conduct for eating, traveling, partying and business.

The Internet has introduced a whole new world that will eventually have it's understood practices that future generations will blindly obey. Already, most of those who post in chatrooms know that the typing of a message in all capital letters means a poster is yelling to the readers. The emoticons (smilies) of today could conceivably find their way onto the keyboards of the future. Savvy users of instant messaging programs almost never feel insulted when their new contact requires an authorization to chat.

The Internet has also created new forms of business with e-commerce, e-publications and e-services. Many of those who currently enjoy prominence in the Internet field come from backgrounds that have no relevance to the positions of power and influence they have now. They who are running the Internet and computer industry are many times very young and have acquired their positions because the technology is so new.

The adult Internet is a combination of one of the world's oldest commodities combined with the freshest technological innovations. Those who work and drive this industry come from the most diverse circumstances. Students, housewives, truck drivers, lawyers, bartenders and even doctors make adult websites and deal in the trade of smut every single day. Because of the anonymity and convenience of the Internet, people who would never have considered the field of adult entertainment are now making their living peddling memberships to porn paysites.

The Internet also allows a communication/networking platform unheard of twenty years ago. Those of similar interests can converge in live and semi-live areas to conduct business, socialize and market their services. The areas are known as chat rooms and message boards.

In the world of adult webmasters the message board is so vital, sponsors and hosts are willing to pay thousands of dollars to advertise on them. Knowledge is shared, deals are made and careers are created or destroyed on an adult webmaster discussion site. Even though an independent lifestyle is one of the attractions of the adult Internet vocation, ignoring or disobeying understood rules of decorum could mean the ruination of your business or reputation.

This and future articles are written to guide you through the paths of propriety and along the roads of regulation. I (Cozy Academy instructor Miss Titt) want to enlighten you on some of the more important facets of adult webmaster behavior. While this list of do's and don'ts may not be sanctioned by a supreme council, experience in the social behaviors of fellow adult Internet professionals has taught me a few things. For instance:

Ignorance of Spam is no excuse
You've seen them. They come in a chat room or message board and without a hello or howdy begin to tout the benefits of their program or sponsor. Then, when respondents accuse them of spam, they claim they are new and not aware of the rules. Nonsense. Even people who don't own computers know that Spam has another meaning than lunchmeat. While there may actually be newbies who spam out of ignorance, they still deserve to be ridiculed and reprimanded so they will learn the error of their ways immediately. When posting in a chat or message board for the first time, it's best to say a simple hello or respond appropriately to an existing thread. Tell the room that your sponsor is the best sponsor and clicking your link will make everyone rich will only result in being called a pork byproduct.

No statement is retractable
Even though some message boards have an edit feature, whatever you say in a public forum will be read, remembered and sometimes copied and pasted. If you promise a certain discount on content you sell or offer a free service to a fellow poster, be prepared to follow through or be publicly called to task. Things you've posted months ago can be found and recalled in a thread to prove your hypocrisy on a subject. Whatever you say, you say to virtually the world. If you express distaste for dialer programs in a chatroom and then later succumb to their salability, someone will remind you.

Judge not lest ye be judged
Has a sponsor screwed you out of money? Is one of your fellow webmasters promoting illegal porn? Did that graphics guru take your money for a design and disappear? If you were truly wronged or you know of actual criminal behavior, then you have avenues of action to deal with your dilemma. A public forum is not necessarily the best place for you to air your grievances or make accusations. Public declarations of fraud or theft or any other improper activity aren't lessened because you're hiding behind a monitor. If you choose to tell the world that you think suckyfucky.net is shaving clicks, you better have absolute proof. Not only will the members of the chat contest your statements; those whom you accuse will find out about your postings and could possibly take legal action against you. If you are proved wrong, you risk doing more damage to your own reputation than that of your intended target.

As the adult Internet changes, so do the rules of comportment. Just because general society considers our profession crude, doesn't mean we have to behave like animals. Being a lone wolf in the workforce doesn't mean you get to act like a wild creature. Just like in days of old, etiquette is as much about courtesy as it is about survival.

This small list is the first of many future articles on proper adult Internet protocol. Look for more of "Miss Titt's Rules of Etiquette". Until then, follow the most basic of rules: play nice!