Microsoft outlines Wireless Email Etiquette

Are there a different set of rules for replying to email from your pda or smartphone? Microsoft says yes. Here's the lowdown on Wireless Email Etiquette from Microsoft.com.

Here's a summary of the article with some added thoughts:

1. Determine if you're sending to a mobile device - This seems to be mostly a guessing game save for those that still use the "Sent from my XXX device" footer. However the article says replied to a known mobile device should be shorter than to those using a PC.

2. Don't overabrvt - Simply get your point across clearly. Don't use obscure acronyms or shorten unnecessarily.

3. Make your subject line the only line - I think this applies much more in an IM or even SMS/txt environment than email. It's classic ad-hoc communication.

4. Put yourself in their shoes - The article gives an example of someone who automatically files longer messages for follow up with lower importance. I think triage should be done based on sender and topic using some logic and common sense over a flat standard where important, and long, messages are not in the forefront of my focus.

5. Ask for permission - Ask before sending more than one paragraph? Serious? I don't think of myself as wordy but I would say 90%+ of the emails I write on my pda are more than one paragraph and 99% of the ones I receive.

6. Cut the funny stuff - In other words, don't send cutesy animation and unecessary graphics/attachments in email. Finally, something I agree with. As I've mentioned previously, all professional email should be kept short and to the point, regardless of endpoint.

7. Skip your signature - This "rule" asks people to skip their signature and even to not implement disclaimer footers on email. The former often contains important contact information that would save a receipient from sending another email to say "How do I reach you?". In theory, getting rid of all footers sound great. Now tell that to an large corporation's legal dept. Somehow I don't think they would agree. In my opinion, this "rule" just doesn't make practical sense.

Personally I think all email should be written in a clear and concise manner so that the mode of reception for the receiver is irrelevant. If we follow basic email etiquette, which is really just an extension of old school memo etiquette, then we can all but disregard the method the recipient chooses to read and respond to the email. In short, it follows a modified KISS rule, Keep it short and simple.

Go to the Microsoft Subnet home page for more news, blogs, podcasts.
Check out my recent post on the OCS appliance.
Check out my recent post on the iPhone 2.0 Launch.