Off-Topic > Off-Topic - Tiny Core Lounge

informal writing - email, irc, forums, social networks

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ttz:
in informal writing, i've shunned use of caps. i abbreviate. use concocted accronyms. except where i mean to show respect, i don't use caps. a period-space combo is delimiter enough; i don't need to add an uppercase to show start of next sentence.

in informal context, does that hurt communication?

NewUser:
I'm an old fart, so consider the source.

Yes, it does.

ttz:
@NewUser

You have said my habits do hurt communication. I hear that. Would you please tell me more; tell me why; expand?

nitram:
It depends on your target audience and how well the other person(s) know you, your writing style and your language. Age is also a factor, different generations write and communicate differently. So can't comment on personal emails and such but in regards to public forum posts my viewpoint below. Is a forum informal? Yes and no, not writing a letter to the Queen of England but clear communication is important.

Tiny Core forum rule #3:

--- Quote ---3. Posts should be reasonably readable...

--- End quote ---

Some forums are quite strict on the issue and edit posts or ban users after repeated violations.

As an example, here's the first rule of formatting from the BSD forum:

--- Quote ---1. Please write as clearly as possible. Use English punctuation and capitalization, and avoid abbreviating things. This helps to improve the clarity of messages and make problems easier to solve.

--- End quote ---
https://forums.freebsd.org/threads/formatting-guidelines.49535/

Many users speak English as a second language, imagine trying to interpret and understand something formatted like a hip tweet.

Especially if requesting assistance, why intentionally make it harder for others to understand what you are saying.


--- Quote ---ttz wrote:
...except where i mean to show respect...

--- End quote ---

Please be respectful at all times.

thane:
Well, I tend to be tolerant about spelling, punctuation, etc. on a forum like this because for many posters here English is not their first language, and/or they're looking for help and typing in a hurry. I'm not clear why you'd shun capitals though if you know when it's appropriate to use them. And I agree that using abbreviations or acronyms of your own devising might leave people wondering what you're trying to say.

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