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Author Topic:   Style Guides for EvC
Ooook!
Member (Idle past 5805 days)
Posts: 340
From: London, UK
Joined: 09-29-2003


Message 46 of 77 (209767)
05-19-2005 7:11 PM
Reply to: Message 42 by Adminnemooseus
05-19-2005 3:29 PM


My request that members use proper capitalization is most reasonable. The vast majority of forum members do such, without requiring any special request. Even Brad does.
Are you sure you want to use Brad as an example here. After all, he frequently uses capital letters in the middle of words as well...and most entertaining it is too!
Bottom line: Right now I could go to most any message from any of the "shift key impaired", and do a suspension because of a forum rule violation. RAZD might first need a formal warning, but both brennakimi and Arachnophilia have obviously already seen my request.
Is there really any reason to get so heavy handed? This is speaking as a person who frequently berates his friends for not using capital letters in text messages. I agree with you...it really is quite annoying. But once you get used to it, I don't think it seriously impairs understanding.
Personally I find posts that are one huge paragraph and posts that are one line of quote, followed by one line of response much more of a problem
Are we going to start imposing standards on spelling and punctuation next? If so then: I'm absulootley biggered!!!
{Edited to correct bad spelling. Yep, it was that bad!}
This message has been edited by Ooook!, 20-05-2005 12:19 AM

This message is a reply to:
 Message 42 by Adminnemooseus, posted 05-19-2005 3:29 PM Adminnemooseus has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 47 by Dead Parrot, posted 05-19-2005 8:20 PM Ooook! has replied
 Message 48 by arachnophilia, posted 05-19-2005 8:21 PM Ooook! has not replied

  
Dead Parrot
Member (Idle past 3335 days)
Posts: 151
From: Wellington, NZ
Joined: 04-13-2005


Message 47 of 77 (209775)
05-19-2005 8:20 PM
Reply to: Message 46 by Ooook!
05-19-2005 7:11 PM


Hey Ooook...
This is speaking as a person who frequently berates his friends for not using capital letters in text messages. I agree with you...it really is quite annoying.
You're supposed to put spaces around ellipses ... .
But I'd agree that missing capitalisation is hardly warrants (ahem) capital punishment. Arach's posts look fine to me, whereas those of some posters need to be read 10 times before you can extract any meaning - even if corrently capitalised.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 46 by Ooook!, posted 05-19-2005 7:11 PM Ooook! has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 49 by arachnophilia, posted 05-19-2005 8:25 PM Dead Parrot has not replied
 Message 51 by JonF, posted 05-19-2005 8:51 PM Dead Parrot has not replied
 Message 54 by Ooook!, posted 05-20-2005 5:14 AM Dead Parrot has not replied

  
arachnophilia
Member (Idle past 1334 days)
Posts: 9069
From: god's waiting room
Joined: 05-21-2004


Message 48 of 77 (209777)
05-19-2005 8:21 PM
Reply to: Message 46 by Ooook!
05-19-2005 7:11 PM


posts that are one line of quote, followed by one line of response
i've been known to do that sometimes. but usually only when i'm trying to be annoying, or uh, filibuster a topic.

אָרַח

This message is a reply to:
 Message 46 by Ooook!, posted 05-19-2005 7:11 PM Ooook! has not replied

  
arachnophilia
Member (Idle past 1334 days)
Posts: 9069
From: god's waiting room
Joined: 05-21-2004


Message 49 of 77 (209780)
05-19-2005 8:25 PM
Reply to: Message 47 by Dead Parrot
05-19-2005 8:20 PM


Re: Hey Ooook...
Arach's posts look fine to me
you must not read very carefully. i rather consistently mis-conjugate words and leave out words. in fact, i imagine sometimes i sound downright retarded. i've had more than one argument confused by bad wording, and one recently where the whole thing hinged on me reading a word wrong.
i think maybe i'm lysdexic.
whereas those of some posters need to be read 10 times before you can extract any meaning - even if corrently capitalised.
i can't make any sense out of brad's posts, no matter HOW hard i try.

אָרַח

This message is a reply to:
 Message 47 by Dead Parrot, posted 05-19-2005 8:20 PM Dead Parrot has not replied

  
purpledawn
Member (Idle past 3447 days)
Posts: 4453
From: Indiana
Joined: 04-25-2004


Message 50 of 77 (209783)
05-19-2005 8:36 PM
Reply to: Message 42 by Adminnemooseus
05-19-2005 3:29 PM


Capitalization
quote:
My request that members use proper capitalization is most reasonable. The vast majority of forum members do such, without requiring any special request.
As someone who spends a lot of time reading and editing what others have written and truly appreciates proper capitalization, I find this a needless battle since this forum seems to be an informal arena.
I find very large paragraphs (which I tend not to read) much more annoying than no capital letters.
I think lack of style is only a problem when we are unable to comprehend the post. I haven't found that to be the problem with brennakimi or Arach or anyone's lack of capitalization.
Isn't being able to understand the message more important than a perfect presentation?

"The average man does not know what to do with this life, yet wants another one which lasts forever." --Anatole France

This message is a reply to:
 Message 42 by Adminnemooseus, posted 05-19-2005 3:29 PM Adminnemooseus has not replied

Replies to this message:
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 Message 61 by Monk, posted 05-20-2005 9:51 PM purpledawn has not replied

  
JonF
Member (Idle past 158 days)
Posts: 6174
Joined: 06-23-2003


Message 51 of 77 (209788)
05-19-2005 8:51 PM
Reply to: Message 47 by Dead Parrot
05-19-2005 8:20 PM


Should be Hey Ooook
You're supposed to put spaces around ellipses ... .
And you are suppose to use … ellipsis characters where you can .

This message is a reply to:
 Message 47 by Dead Parrot, posted 05-19-2005 8:20 PM Dead Parrot has not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1395 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 52 of 77 (209805)
05-19-2005 9:12 PM
Reply to: Message 44 by Adminnemooseus
05-19-2005 4:02 PM


Re: brennakimi from another topic
Be careful what you wish for.
This is verbatim from another site:
Subject: Re: Purpose of Government
Msg # 165482
Date: 10/1/03 10:33:47 PM EDT
Author: Suzanne400E
Well Beings not many in here will read this anyway I am just going to make my post and say what I think. After reading some of the posts Including about bearing arms and the central subject of Government and what is it's PURPOSE???? among other things.. that have been brought up in here on this thread..
ARMS... GUNS are and should be allowed to be had by anyone that wants one and is not a THREAT TO SOCIETY as a WHOLE . such as a CITIZEN that is not out to murder or kill anyone for any reason. BUT wants a GUN for HUNTING. or just a pistol for PROTECTION OF FAMILY and FROM GOVERNMENT THAT just MIGHT decide to KILL ya .. BUT there is another thought when it comes to GOVERNMENT wanting to KILL YA>>>> It is WRITTEN that anyone SAVING THEIR LIFE shall loose it and anyone GIVENG THEIR LIFE for HIS NAMES SAKE shall LIVE.. IN OTHER words as LONG as I AM DOING AS GOD SAYS TO DO and as HE LEADS I HAVE NOTHING TO worry about. FOR I NEED NOT FEAR MEN that can kill this body BUT FEAR HIM THAT CAN kill BOTH BODY and SOUL.... which is GOD ALMIGHTY.
AS LONG AS MY GOVERNMENT is FOR ME and GOD >>> I have NOTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT.. BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT that is LISTENING TO the LORD and what HE has said TO do.. WILL BE PROTECTED BY HIM ALSO..
AMERICA IS ONE NATION (People) GOVERNMENT UNDER GOD. WE BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST as the SON OF GOD> THE RISEN CHRIST!!! LIKE IT OR NOT that is what OUR GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS been based on IS THIS TRUTH>>> that we have ONE GOD!!! and HE HAD a SON JESUS and that JESUS DIED FOR ALL MEN and ROSE AGAIN and now is having all authority IN HEAVEN and on EARTH.
WHAT is THE PURPOSE of GOVERNMENT??? TO DO what we the people want done PROTECT OUR LAND and our PEOPLE from EVIL !!!!!!!!!!!!! which is also what God would have GOVERNMENT DO to ERADICATE EVIL and WORK FOR PEACE AMONG ALL MEN, NATIONS, PEOPLE!!!!!!!!..
This poor dear believes she is channeling the holy spirit when she types in caps.
Then there is Jactitating Jingoist John Jaeger, whose main claim to fame is spelling (including being anal about caps), and a complete lack of originality:
Subject: Re: INTELLIGENT LOVE
Msg # 165537
Date: 10/2/03 12:05:45 PM EDT
Author: BuxUp2002
More abject stupidity from a leftist/atheist/elitist "intellectual" pretender who can't even SPELL "intellegent" [SIC].
Enjoy.

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAAmerican.Zen[Deist
{{{Buddha walks off laughing with joy}}}

This message is a reply to:
 Message 44 by Adminnemooseus, posted 05-19-2005 4:02 PM Adminnemooseus has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 53 by arachnophilia, posted 05-19-2005 11:50 PM RAZD has replied

  
arachnophilia
Member (Idle past 1334 days)
Posts: 9069
From: god's waiting room
Joined: 05-21-2004


Message 53 of 77 (209869)
05-19-2005 11:50 PM
Reply to: Message 52 by RAZD
05-19-2005 9:12 PM


Re: brennakimi from another topic
This poor dear believes she is channeling the holy spirit when she types in caps.
really? let me try.
this is me talking.
AND THIS IS GOD!
hi, how are you god?
DOING QUITE FINE TODAY, THANKS.
so what do you think of the capitalization issues here, god?
I THINK IT MAKES ME SOUND LIKE I'M SHOUTING ALL THE TIME, WHICH DOESN'T HELP THE WHOLE WHAT WITH THE WHOLE NEGATIVE "ANGRY GOD" IMAGE I HAVE.

אָרַח

This message is a reply to:
 Message 52 by RAZD, posted 05-19-2005 9:12 PM RAZD has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 55 by RAZD, posted 05-20-2005 7:09 AM arachnophilia has not replied
 Message 57 by New Cat's Eye, posted 05-20-2005 8:22 PM arachnophilia has replied

  
Ooook!
Member (Idle past 5805 days)
Posts: 340
From: London, UK
Joined: 09-29-2003


Message 54 of 77 (209927)
05-20-2005 5:14 AM
Reply to: Message 47 by Dead Parrot
05-19-2005 8:20 PM


!!;:;:;::!! ...
You're supposed to put spaces around ellipses ... .
Be careful, or I will unleash my army of indiscriminate commas, colons, semi-colons and multiple exclamation marks.
I've got a keyboard ... and I'm not afraid to use it!!!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 47 by Dead Parrot, posted 05-19-2005 8:20 PM Dead Parrot has not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1395 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 55 of 77 (209936)
05-20-2005 7:09 AM
Reply to: Message 53 by arachnophilia
05-19-2005 11:50 PM


Re: brennakimi from another topic
Not quite it.
You need spontaneous insertions with non-sequitur phrasing.

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAAmerican.Zen[Deist
{{{Buddha walks off laughing with joy}}}

This message is a reply to:
 Message 53 by arachnophilia, posted 05-19-2005 11:50 PM arachnophilia has not replied

  
coffee_addict
Member (Idle past 467 days)
Posts: 3645
From: Indianapolis, IN
Joined: 03-29-2004


Message 56 of 77 (209998)
05-20-2005 12:05 PM
Reply to: Message 22 by Adminnemooseus
05-17-2005 3:41 PM


Re: The "shift key impaired" are starting to piss me off!
AM writes:
The "shift key impaired" are starting to piss me off!
For once, I agree completely with AM.

King Nadkicker

This message is a reply to:
 Message 22 by Adminnemooseus, posted 05-17-2005 3:41 PM Adminnemooseus has not replied

Replies to this message:
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New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 57 of 77 (210095)
05-20-2005 8:22 PM
Reply to: Message 53 by arachnophilia
05-19-2005 11:50 PM


IT MAKES ME SOUND LIKE I'M SHOUTING ALL THE TIME
The voice in my head gets louder when I read something in all caps. Its annoying, although I can quiet it down to regular volume if I try.
But, when I read something without caps, the voice in my head doesn't get quieter, so it doesn't bother me a bit.
Maybe the people who don't use caps are annoyed by having to reach all-the-way over to the shift key. It just happens automatically for me so its no problem, but if they have to think about pressing shift everytime, I could see how that would be annoying.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 53 by arachnophilia, posted 05-19-2005 11:50 PM arachnophilia has replied

Replies to this message:
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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1395 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 58 of 77 (210105)
05-20-2005 8:53 PM
Reply to: Message 56 by coffee_addict
05-20-2005 12:05 PM


New Priorities?
I find it interesting that suddenly dealing with capitalization is more important than, oh I don't know, dealing with misrepresentations maybe?
Color me underwhelmed.
{{Edited to change subtitle}}
This message has been edited by RAZD, 05*25*2005 08:45 PM

This message is a reply to:
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Sylas
Member (Idle past 5250 days)
Posts: 766
From: Newcastle, Australia
Joined: 11-17-2002


Message 59 of 77 (210111)
05-20-2005 9:34 PM
Reply to: Message 50 by purpledawn
05-19-2005 8:36 PM


Re: Capitalization
purpledawn writes:
As someone who spends a lot of time reading and editing what others have written and truly appreciates proper capitalization, I find this a needless battle since this forum seems to be an informal arena.
I find very large paragraphs (which I tend not to read) much more annoying than no capital letters.
I think lack of style is only a problem when we are unable to comprehend the post. I haven't found that to be the problem with brennakimi or Arach or anyone's lack of capitalization.
Isn't being able to understand the message more important than a perfect presentation?
I agree 100%. I wrote the original Style Guide post in Message 1 with this in mind. From my original post:
In the Proposed Style Guide post, Sylas writes:
A well presented post will help you communicate your views better.
I focussed on those matters which hinder communication. I had five points; and I certainly do not want to make it fifteen. The points were:
  • Follow forum rules.
  • Proof read. (That is, check it is the way you want it to be.)
  • Use paragraphs.
  • Use tags; but not too much! A little bit, to help presentation.
  • How to quote text from others.
Under proof reading:
In the Proposed Style Guide post, Sylas writes:
If you have a look at your posts before submission, then you are likely to pick up various errors. Check your basic use of language, like spelling and grammar. Most people are relaxed about a few slips up now and again; but a post that is filled with errors is not giving the message you want.
I want us to remain relaxed about a few minor slip ups. I find ALL CAPS very trying, but lack of capitalization is not a problem for me. I do advise using formally correct writing, including capitalization; but in practice it is much less of a problem than ALL CAPS, or bad paragraphing, or bad justification.
This thread is now at the point of poking fun at overly rigid rules, and that's cool with me. I think the original post has sufficient support that it should really now be a separate page linked from the main menus; not just a post. It's not presented as a long list of rigid rules, but as a set of gentle suggestions that will help people who want to improve their presentation. It could be combined also with Assistance w/ Forum Formatting; although of course the capitalization in the title of that thread must die.
I don't much mind people who understand the possibilities, and choose something a bit non-standard. brennakimi is no problem for me, and I hope he was not serious about leaving.
It's a bit subjective, but my other pet hate is posts that use too much formatting. Lots of colours and font changes are evil. If the whole post is using different fonts, I object.
Cheers -- Sylas

This message is a reply to:
 Message 50 by purpledawn, posted 05-19-2005 8:36 PM purpledawn has not replied

  
Sylas
Member (Idle past 5250 days)
Posts: 766
From: Newcastle, Australia
Joined: 11-17-2002


Message 60 of 77 (210112)
05-20-2005 9:40 PM
Reply to: Message 45 by macaroniandcheese
05-19-2005 4:14 PM


Re: brennakimi from another topic
Bump bump for brennakimi. i hope you were not serious about leaving. i may have a minor disagreement with the noble moose on this matter, but as author of the style guide i'm sympathetic to your perspective on this. the guide was not intended by me as a set of rules, but as a set of suggestions for those who are struggling with the medium and keen to get the most value from it.
frankly, i don't normally write like this. i like correct capitalization. but if you know what you are doing and have some weird reason for it, so be it. we love you for the substance, not the formatting.
cheers -- sylas
ps. start using lots of blinking colors, and you're toast.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 45 by macaroniandcheese, posted 05-19-2005 4:14 PM macaroniandcheese has replied

Replies to this message:
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