RANT: (un)smileys

(Jim steps onto soapbox)

We seem to have become overly fond of "emoticons" (AKA "smileys") here lately.

They are used (OVERused - See: "Is this a bonsai") to point out someone's alleged humor, to "soften" an unfavorable comment, and inattempts to gloss over pure nastiness. Some folks seem to use them merely because they can -- after all, the site supplies a mass of them.

I'm sure I'll see replies filled with them now, just to annoy.

But they are trite (unoriginal), messy, and -- frankly -- childish. And, often, offensive.

I counted 2 dozen (!) in one message not long ago. That changes them from smileys to "obnoxities" in my book, and I've resolved to never use one again. Ever.

I could hope that most of you would join me in -- at least -- limiting the proliferation of the damned things.

(Jim steps off soapbox)

Hi Jim..i will follow suit in your endeavour,Thanks for reminding us always in our weakness,
with high resprct,
Alex/Ogie

When dealing with other human beings I like to respect the individual's right to their own style of communication. Each to their own.

Smithy wrote:When dealing with other human beings I like to respect the individual's right to their own style of communication. Each to their own.

I'm with Smithy..... My God!!! It's just a smiley face what's so bad about that. Give it a rest!!

I do believe I predicted that message:

I'm sure I'll see replies filled with them now, just to annoy.

Just call me Nostradamus.

I agree not to use smileys, but everyone to there own. Really one in a message is enough.

Regards

Andy

I am also among those who use emoticons every now and then, but with all my respect to everyone and every good will I could summon, I really cannot understand these two posts full of emoticons....
What the man said is very simple:

JimLewis wrote: ... ... I could hope that most of you would join me in -- at least -- limiting the proliferation of the damned things.
... ...

You can keep using them, you are free not to limit their use, but what is the need to declare this "shouting"?
I cannot understand this kind of.... humour.

JimLewis wrote:(Jim steps onto soapbox)



But they are trite (unoriginal), messy, and -- frankly -- childish.

(Jim steps off soapbox)

Alexandra, I think when someone decides to judge other people way of expression as childish they are going to get a reaction.

Smithy, is not this reaction childish? (I would like to use a smiling smiley here)

my nellie wrote:Smithy, is not this reaction childish? (I would like to use a smiling smiley here)

That is not for me to judge.

Acceptable, yet distinct.

I'm staying out of this one.

Lighten up guys, there are worse things in the world happening than a few bloody smiley's. If you've only got the effect of a few smiley's on your personal demeanor to berate about then your a very fortunate person

Morten Albek wrote:

Now this is much better,chowing tru it,makes me hungry,mmmm...your hillarious with a taste...Alex

Now, I'm hungry...

Lighten up Jim, for foreigners its easy to use a smiley to fx. let a english bonsai nerd know it was a joke.
I agree some times there are to many smileys in a post, but if one does not like it simply disregard them.

Kind regards
Peter

Stone Monkey wrote:

Regards

Andy

I bet you are SO proud of thinking of that all by yourself.

I feel vindicated.

I am really really proud, and it took me ages to think of , opps should have left the smiley off, now that's gone and done it.

Jim

Just for clarity I am only joking no offence intended, I am sure you have took it the right way anyway

All the best

Andy

Yeah. The IBC pot just needs stirring sometimes. I have other IBC soapboxes I cold leap upon, but later for that; some of those are more serious.

Now, on this subject, We (Royal, not collective) hereby give authorization to use a single appropriate graphical thingy per post, as deemed necessary. But Our wrath will fall upon anyone who opposes Us.

See: We colonials do appreciate royalty. <g>

I didnt want to go into this thread, but I guess I just did.
Im slightly with everyone here. I can see the irritation that posts are full of those smileys. I dont like to use them much myself, but after some sentences I feel like I have to, so I dont get misunderstood. Sometimes you can explain what you feel/think just by reading the smiley. Instead of doing like me, and explaining everything with 20 sentences, and then creating a wall of text.
But I still think, this is up for the poster to think about. If they feel like they need 5 smileys after eachother, then go ahead. But people should also be able to tell their mind in a decent way, so others actually can think about how they write etc on a forum. I like criticism.
I dont know what other soapboxes you are thinking of Jim. I myself dont have any problems with this forum at all. Only thing is that I overanalyze everything. And thats something Im trying to change. I take general criticism as personal, and I know deep down its not always like that.
Its out of the blue, but I guess most of the irritation here goes to the bonsai questions departement. I know Im asking alot myself, about things that you most likely have answered 100 times. Like, how to water, prune etc. Or just keeping trees over the winter. But for me, I like the information you all give me better, who have alot of experience with this, and can also get many replies that we can talk about, instead of the old answer: Go read up on it sonny, and come back if you dont understand it. Thats the sort of answers that put people off asking. You wont believe it, but that includes me.
I feel that there are worse things than an overused emoticon in here, but I think its important that we let the man speak, and we will think about it. Then make up our minds if we wanna do something about it.

Wall of text over.
-Storm.

JimLewis wrote:Yeah. The IBC pot just needs stirring sometimes. I have other IBC soapboxes I cold leap upon, but later for that; some of those are more serious.

Now, on this subject, We (Royal, not collective) hereby give authorization to use a single appropriate graphical thingy per post, as deemed necessary. But Our wrath will fall upon anyone who opposes Us.

See: We colonials do appreciate royalty. <g>

Can you clarify that this is a joke, or is it that you are imposing your style of posts on the whole community.

Howzit Storm,

Man, that was deep!! Good on you for speaking you mind!!

A Hui Hou,
-Tim