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Internet Etiquette? What about UPPERCASE?

IS UPPERCASE STILL CONSIDERED SHOUTING?

I just had an interesting conversation via emails, with one of our fellow Network Creators. We were specifically discussing whether or not UPPERCASE, is still considered SCREAMING or SHOUTING.

Since day one of the Internet bang, I've considered it to be improper, and in fact: SHOUTING. However, during our conversation I actually found one site that said it was considered cool. ;-) LOL! That's a new one on me. But, who am I to say what's considered proper? And HEY, occasionally I use it for emphasis.

WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?

What other Internet Etiquette Rules can you share?

Great contributing posts:

Permalink Reply by The Douglas Archives

Here is my contribution to netiquette:

Remember that subtle emotions and meanings do not transmit very well over email. Satire and humour is particularly hard to transmit, and sometimes comes across as rude and contemptuous. Particularly avoid sarcasm, which rarely communicates well. Similarly, don't over-react to email or postings you receive. What looks to you like an insulting or mean message may only be an absent minded and poor choice of phrasing, and not meant the way you perceived it.

Be particularly polite when disagreeing with others. Wherever possible, acknowledge good points made, and then respectfully describe the areas where you disagree to produce the most productive conversation.

For those who find this hard to read, try using Ctrl and the + button

Permalink Reply by The Human Touch: Yes, I consider it against "netiquette". I find it annoying and hard to read. BUT in some cases it's okay, like if:

1. You are trying to put an EMPHASIS on a word, phrase, etc.
2. If you are writing an acronym (LOL, ATT, NBC, etc)
3. If you really ARE mad and are trying to convey that.

I actually had a friend send me a LONG email entirely in caps. I emailed her back and requested she not do so again. She is of the same mind as some posters here, and refused. I try not to email her much... I don't want an all-caps reply.

Permalink Reply by Fantasyland

Caps to me is shouting, and sometimes needed for getting a important part to explain. like this.

1. I HAD A BAD DAY
2. I had a BAD day

Permalink Reply by Allan Nelson: Some people just use caps, because they do. I guess they just got used to it this way. Without getting too pedantic, CAPS have much less emphasis than varied type and tend to make the writer look like an idiot according to numerous researches. If CAPS were so get your point accross, you'd find all advertising done exclusively in them, of course you don't find this except for headlines. Constant cap typers do not get taken as seriously in their subject presentations as non constant CAP people, which I feel is not fair. But it's true.

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on April 24, 2010 at 2:38am

It's an animated gif.
This time I am gone. ;-)

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Permalink Reply by The Human Touch on April 24, 2010 at 2:48am

LOL take the advice you gave me... TAKE A BREAK:) *Hugs*

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Permalink Reply by Paranormal Mind on April 23, 2010 at 7:11pm

Some people just use caps, because they do. I guess they just got used to it this way. Without getting too pedantic, CAPS have much less emphasis than varied type and tend to make the writer look like an idiot according to numerous researches. If CAPS were so get your point accross, you'd find all advertising done exclusively in them, of course you don't find this except for headlines. Constant cap typers do not get taken as seriously in their subject presentations as non constant CAP people, which I feel is not fair. But it's true.

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on April 23, 2010 at 7:13pm

I agree. Even most Search Engines, Directories, and Advertising platforms do not allow CAPS.
Thanks for your input,
:-)
Jen

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Permalink Reply by Raymond G Seapno on June 21, 2010 at 7:49pm

You have a point, as a logo artists CAPS can be too over the top, while small caps are subtle but yet direct. My eyes don't work that great either, I'm far and near sighted with a huge case of color blindness, that's probably why I named my company BlindDog and the motto is, "Sees You From Within". You know what? It helps me come up with great logo ideas, sometimes seeing things a little blurry stops all the unnecessary judgements in life. Hearing and feeling is more 'ninja/jedi' like.

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on June 21, 2010 at 8:10pm

Nice way of thinking - - "...sometimes seeing things a little blurry stops all the unnecessary judgements in life."
Thanks for your input!
Jen

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Permalink Reply by Prophecies on April 23, 2010 at 9:21pm

NO IT'S NOT SHOUTING BUT FOR THE MILLIONS YES MILLIONS OF PEOPLE OVER 40 THERE IS A VERY COMMON EYE DISORDER KNOWN AS MIOPIA IT AFFECTS ABOUT 80% OF US IT'S WHERE OUR EYES CAN NOT FOCUS ON THINGS THAT ARE UP CLOSE AND THAT IS WHY WE USE READING GLASSES OR IN THIS CASE THE "UPPER CASE" LETTERS.
WE KNOW THAT READING CAN BE A PAIN, AND GLASSES CAN BE A HASSLE SO IF YOU THINK I'M SHOUTING JUST REMEMBER, I'M BLIND NOT DEAF, LOL!

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Permalink Reply by Magic Happens on April 23, 2010 at 9:28pm

You were the dear friend l was speaking of. l was telling taxi that you also did the caps, but like him it was easier for you. BUT I STILL LOVE YOU.

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on April 23, 2010 at 9:33pm

Prophecies,
I hear you. But, although as you say, there are millions with eye disorders; I believe that overall, it is STILL considered shouting, online. I was just doing my typical move, and playing the "Devil's advocate", as they say - - to get the opinions of many, like yourself. It's interesting to hear all the different opinions on this.

You make an excellent point. It's a shame we can't wave a magic wand, and make it an overnight Internet Etiquette standard, to add some type of special character before all CAPS discussions, to indicate the discussion is being entered by someone with bad eye sight. That would be great wouldn't it? Internet users and developers really should pay more attention to this type of situation - - bad eyesight. You should start a website for that one purpose. Come up with the special character, and spread the word. ;-)

Thanks for the input,
:-)
Jen

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Permalink Reply by ELVIS PRESLEY FAN CLUB on April 23, 2010 at 10:02pm

I feel when it comes to using uppercase that it would not be considered shouting and/or screaming dependant on the context that you are using it in. Charmaine

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Permalink Reply by Prophecies on April 23, 2010 at 11:06pm

Ok, Allow me to rephrase, in the sense of writing like this a few words LIKE THIS can express a louder tone of writing, however if the whole letter is written in upper casng
or the whole comment let's have a little sympathy for us old folk, who are a little less knowlegable about the web. For me I can't use that excuse, so if it pleases everyone to use the lower casing letters ....................so be it, I can increase my page to 150% if need be.......................and that's cuz I care!