What d'ya mean, it's only a smile? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Ainaserkewen · 04-05-2005, 04:43 PM

But I haven't touched a smilie in over 9 months...*sighs in relief* I'm going to be okay.

No, that's a lie. I never liked Emoticons because they were yet another thing to remember when either posting or chatting it up on MSN. I never mastered the text based ones either, and I much prefer to just write down what I would have said (though maybe a little grander because I have more time to think) and usually I have no problems. I understand the need for some validation of a funny post or mocking, but then, maybe some of you have seen my version of such emotion:

(Smilie boycott: Cheeky Grin) Which is essentially the same thing. It is just as simple anyway.

I don't hate smilies, but it's always fun to play-boycott stuff. Anybody want to join my rally?

Most of this forum's posts are written either persuasively or descriptively, and both ways are pretty easy to write in and don't require the help of little illustrations. It's when the posts go to something else. When you're reading an essay, for example, certainly smilies would be inappropriate and discredit the writer. When we have conversations, however, such clear signals are needed. A conversation is the connection between two or more people, right? So in a sense you're speaking to someone or someones specifically, so you would have to use more personal language so that your tone and mood would be clear to your listeners, or in this case, your readers. When one is expressing themselves not in conversation, such personal connections are not required, and the art of written language takes care of everything.

So I guess, it's the difference between the kind of post your're posting.

Hookbill the Goomba · 05-08-2005, 01:43 PM

I usually associate;

,

and

with a sarcastic comment. Because you can't always get you're tone of voice across in typing. Unless you rite "*SARCASUM*".
So, I always use them for that.

Eruanna · 05-08-2005, 02:03 PM

I had no idea that

is meant to convey sarcasm! I have always used that particular smiley to indicate that I've somehow made a stupid error or been a doofus of some description! Colour me

(confused)

wilwarin538 · 05-10-2005, 01:59 PM

this smilie looks more like a sad one then a confused one, because you can't see the little question marks above his head since they're black and they blend in with the background. When your making a post then you can see them cause that background is more a dark grey, but you can't tell in the actual post. That should be ajusted.

the guy who be short · 06-24-2005, 03:33 PM

I definitely agree with Wilwarin about the

smiley.

I often wonder why we have a

smiley. What is it for? It doesn't really have a use does it? I think people just put it in to make their posts look cool...

I was going to say it should be replaced by some emotion but due to my lack of memory, I've forgotten which smiley emotion I want to be represented. I will return when my wits are less clouded by sleep. Perhaps it was jealousy, though I hardly ever feel jealous on the Downs, so I doubt that was it.

Child of the 7th Age · 06-24-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

I often wonder why we have a smiley

. What is it for? It doesn't really have a use does it? I think people just put it in to make their posts look cool...

For the origins of that smiley see Heren's first post and the comment by BW earlier on this same thread:smiley thread. It's my understanding that this smiley was named after the famed poster Squatter of Amon Rudh who was one of the coolest and most erudite writers on the Downs. If anyone knows anything more about its origin, I would be curious to hear it.

the guy who be short · 06-24-2005, 04:01 PM

I thought it may have been related to Squatter (ah, fond memories. His fondness of long words used to completely baffle my 13 year old self).

Anywho, I haven't been able to find a reference to the Squatter question in this thread, though I've looked through it twice. Perhaps it's the drowsiness talking... If you could link the precise post, that would be helpful.

I also couldn't help but smile when I saw that you posted a link to... the same thread we're already on!

04-05-2005, 04:43 PM	#1
Ainaserkewen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A cosmic waiting room Posts: 651	Hello, my name is Aina and I'm a smilie-oholic... But I haven't touched a smilie in over 9 months...sighs in relief I'm going to be okay. No, that's a lie. I never liked Emoticons because they were yet another thing to remember when either posting or chatting it up on MSN. I never mastered the text based ones either, and I much prefer to just write down what I would have said (though maybe a little grander because I have more time to think) and usually I have no problems. I understand the need for some validation of a funny post or mocking, but then, maybe some of you have seen my version of such emotion: (Smilie boycott: Cheeky Grin) Which is essentially the same thing. It is just as simple anyway. I don't hate smilies, but it's always fun to play-boycott stuff. Anybody want to join my rally? Most of this forum's posts are written either persuasively or descriptively, and both ways are pretty easy to write in and don't require the help of little illustrations. It's when the posts go to something else. When you're reading an essay, for example, certainly smilies would be inappropriate and discredit the writer. When we have conversations, however, such clear signals are needed. A conversation is the connection between two or more people, right? So in a sense you're speaking to someone or someones specifically, so you would have to use more personal language so that your tone and mood would be clear to your listeners, or in this case, your readers. When one is expressing themselves not in conversation, such personal connections are not required, and the art of written language takes care of everything. So I guess, it's the difference between the kind of post your're posting. __________________ Solus... I'm eating chicken again. I ate chicken yesterday and the day before... will I be eating chicken again tomorrow? Why am I always eating chicken?

05-08-2005, 01:43 PM	#2
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	I usually associate; , and with a sarcastic comment. Because you can't always get you're tone of voice across in typing. Unless you rite "SARCASUM". So, I always use them for that. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket...

05-08-2005, 02:03 PM	#3
Eruanna Memento Mori Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Past The Point Of No Return Posts: 1,117	I had no idea that is meant to convey sarcasm! I have always used that particular smiley to indicate that I've somehow made a stupid error or been a doofus of some description! Colour me (confused) __________________ "Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."

05-10-2005, 01:59 PM	#4
wilwarin538 Fluttering Enchantment Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 2,508	this smilie looks more like a sad one then a confused one, because you can't see the little question marks above his head since they're black and they blend in with the background. When your making a post then you can see them cause that background is more a dark grey, but you can't tell in the actual post. That should be ajusted. __________________ Comme une étoile amarante Comme un papillon de nuit C'est la lumière qui m'attire La flamme qui m'éblouit Fenris Muffin

06-24-2005, 03:33 PM	#5
the guy who be short Shadowed Prince Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Thulcandra Posts: 2,343	I definitely agree with Wilwarin about the smiley. I often wonder why we have a smiley. What is it for? It doesn't really have a use does it? I think people just put it in to make their posts look cool... I was going to say it should be replaced by some emotion but due to my lack of memory, I've forgotten which smiley emotion I want to be represented. I will return when my wits are less clouded by sleep. Perhaps it was jealousy, though I hardly ever feel jealous on the Downs, so I doubt that was it. Last edited by the guy who be short; 06-24-2005 at 03:35 PM. Reason: Wits clouded by sleep

06-24-2005, 04:01 PM	#7
the guy who be short Shadowed Prince Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Thulcandra Posts: 2,343	I thought it may have been related to Squatter (ah, fond memories. His fondness of long words used to completely baffle my 13 year old self). Anywho, I haven't been able to find a reference to the Squatter question in this thread, though I've looked through it twice. Perhaps it's the drowsiness talking... If you could link the precise post, that would be helpful. I also couldn't help but smile when I saw that you posted a link to... the same thread we're already on!