Netcop
The term Netcop (from English net “Netz” as a short name for the Internet and English cop “Policeman” with negative connotation ) has historically emerged as net jargon in Usenet and is occasionally also used in web forums . This is a derogatory term for a person who is accused of overseeing compliance with the behavioral recommendations ( netiquette ) on his own initiative and without an official position . People who officially allow or reject postings in a newsgroup on Usenet are called moderators .
From the point of view of those referred to as Netcop , it is necessary to publicly point out misconduct, as certain rules must be adhered to in order to ensure the smoothest possible cooperation between all those involved in Usenet or in forums. His opponents, however, often accuse him of the fact that the public (instead of being sent by email) indications of correct behavior are primarily used for self-presentation. Occasionally, the dispute also ignites which behavior is actually to be regarded as correct, since there is no set of rules that is recognized by everyone.
Web links
- Timo Gausling: The newsgroup item - a communicative genre? In: SASI (Student Working Papers on Language and Interaction), Issue 4. Center for Language and Interaction , University of Münster, p. 83, January 2005 (PDF / 1.2 MB).