> > So, experienced online communicators: what’s the etiquette (“netiquette”?) for this sort of situation? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
> >
> > te "worrywart" ach

Maybe they were confused by all the "a"s with hats, Euro symbols, trademark symbols, boxes and "�"s? ;-)

> Not a false sense of intimacy, but a false sense of proximity.

[snip]

> I experience this most often when IMing somebody. I will become unnecessarily concerned if they don't reply right away to something I've said. The fact that I'm in immediate contact with them, but at the same time unable to see them and know what else they're doing, leads me to assume that talking to me is the only thing occupying their time. And something of the same sort extends to email.

If they're like me, they're going over and back over what they've typed, or wondering how or if to respond, or even if a change of subject is due, even if that is all they're doing. Good thing AOL implemented the "(name) is typing..." thing.

> Lire"words with 'x's rule"lyn

Nyper"good thing you have them in your lexicon"old