Etiquette of Public Laptop Use
Now that the weather has warmed up more people are choosing to bring their laptops outside. Whether you are working on your laptop in the park or browsing the web at your local Starbucks, this guide to the etiquette of public laptop use should not be ignored.
Not safe for work (NSFW) means not safe for viewing in public.
You are using your own laptop and you are not at work. If anyone sees what is on your screen it is really their fault for not minding their own business right? Wrong. If something is labeled not safe for work, public laptop use etiquette dictates that it is also not appropriate to open and view in public. Save those graphic emails for when you are safely at home where there are no wandering eyes to be scarred.
Your taste in music is, uhm, interesting.
When you find a new band or song that blows your mind, it is hard not to want to share that experience with others. Go ahead and post it on your Facebook wall, rock out to it silently with your headphones on, but do not play it on your laptop speakers while you are in public. Even if people in the vicinity would appreciate your taste in music, you just do not know what other people are doing at that time. Play it safe and don't take the chance of bothering people.
LOL but don't do it for real, certainly don't ROTFL.
Laughing until you cry is great, but not while using your laptop in public. Letting out the occasional chortle is okay, but try to refrain laughing your butt off. LOLs can be as distracting as playing rap music on maximum volume.
Refrain from vocalizing your WTFs.
Does this one need explanation?
Avoid using your webcam while in public.
You never know what you will pick up in the background if you use your webcam in public. If you must face-to-face chat with someone, make sure to position your laptop where traffic behind you is limited.
Emails are private and not meant to be shared with everyone within hearing distance.
My mom was in an internet cafe when she received the email letting her know that I was pregnant. She stood up and announced to the whole room that she was going to be a grandma. Those type of situations are exceptions to this rule.
No one needs to see a moose mating a statue, random babies making funny faces, or a variety of oddities balanced on top of a cat. Share these emails with the unlucky members of your distribution list but do not call strangers over to view your spam.
Not safe for work (NSFW) means not safe for viewing in public.
You are using your own laptop and you are not at work. If anyone sees what is on your screen it is really their fault for not minding their own business right? Wrong. If something is labeled not safe for work, public laptop use etiquette dictates that it is also not appropriate to open and view in public. Save those graphic emails for when you are safely at home where there are no wandering eyes to be scarred.
Your taste in music is, uhm, interesting.
When you find a new band or song that blows your mind, it is hard not to want to share that experience with others. Go ahead and post it on your Facebook wall, rock out to it silently with your headphones on, but do not play it on your laptop speakers while you are in public. Even if people in the vicinity would appreciate your taste in music, you just do not know what other people are doing at that time. Play it safe and don't take the chance of bothering people.
LOL but don't do it for real, certainly don't ROTFL.
Laughing until you cry is great, but not while using your laptop in public. Letting out the occasional chortle is okay, but try to refrain laughing your butt off. LOLs can be as distracting as playing rap music on maximum volume.
Refrain from vocalizing your WTFs.
Does this one need explanation?
Avoid using your webcam while in public.
You never know what you will pick up in the background if you use your webcam in public. If you must face-to-face chat with someone, make sure to position your laptop where traffic behind you is limited.
Emails are private and not meant to be shared with everyone within hearing distance.
My mom was in an internet cafe when she received the email letting her know that I was pregnant. She stood up and announced to the whole room that she was going to be a grandma. Those type of situations are exceptions to this rule.
No one needs to see a moose mating a statue, random babies making funny faces, or a variety of oddities balanced on top of a cat. Share these emails with the unlucky members of your distribution list but do not call strangers over to view your spam.
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Published by Loki Morgan - Featured Contributor in Technology
Loki Morgan is a Microsoft Certified Professional with over ten years experience in the Information Technology field including technical writing. Morgan has published online content with a focus on compute... View profile
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11 Comments
Post a CommentThese are great tips and I would think would not need saying...but so not true. I'm also with Katie about people who interrupt me when I am on the laptop. No, I don't want to look up lottery numbers for you or find out what movies are playing at the Bijou.
Fantastic tips! If only more people would follow them...
Interesting. It seems anyone violating your laptop etiquette should consider going out and getting a life.
good tips, thanks!
Great tips, my friend. It boggles my mind to think that people must be told these things. Carelessness, I guess, is a natural part of being human. Smiles.
Good topic.
excellent article:)
There should be etiquette for everything we do in public ;)
Okay, now write the other side! Tips for not bothering people working on their laptop in public. I can't tell you how many times I would take my laptop to work on a deadline piece and people interrupted me. One person tried to say he was interested in hiring a writer, but he was really just hitting on me. UGH! Oh hi! You have a laptop and are typing rather quickly. This must be a good time to chat! :)
Now here's some etiquette tips that some of us should learn.