Complaints about sillyness...

[maritza0486]

I realize that many individuals on this website complain about such silly and minor things and then they report because they wont accept another person as they are. For example, I like to type with capital letters and someone complained about that and said they dont like it because its considered yelling in the online world. I do understand its considered yelling but why would anyone take such a thing into offense? What if I was yelling now? I am very disappointed with certain people and I am going to cancel my account with this site. Its very unfortunate but its how I feel about it because it is a free country to speak your mind and do what you want to a certain extent. I didnt think I would be reported about capitalizing my letters when there are people out there who write on paper with all capital letters. I just dont see what the big deal is unfortunately. I hope everyone good luck in their lives and I know the Lord is there to bless all of us through every day that we struggle and walk this earth. We shall all be ok. Thanks for the support of certain individuals. I appreciate quite a lot.

[willowtreewren]

Maritza,
I'm so sorry you are leaving us over this.

There is so much benefit to be gained from this site.

The problem with e-mail and electronic forums is that there is a lack of inflection that we communicate when talking with one another in person. It makes electronic communication more problematic.

It is for that reason that conventions of etiquette for electronic communication have evolved (called netiquette). One of these conventions is that writing in all caps represents shouting.

Even if you like to type in all caps, it is important to consider how that message will be perceived on the receiving end.

Here is more information if you are interested:

http://www.cit.gu.edu.au/~davidt/email_etiquette.htm

I wish the best for you.

Aleta

[rose1999]

I find it quite hard to read a post that is all in capitals so appreciate the convention that we only use them if shouting.  But don't take the huff and leave, people are already trying to help by responding to your posts whatever case you've typed them in, you have such a lot that you can gain by staying here, please take the comment in the way it was intended and stay. 

[twirl]

the exact same thing happened to me concerning capital letters -
I still use them when I want to shout -
and I use - instead of punctuation - and yes, I am a teacher -
but it is the way I am -
one person made a comment about it and I posted back - then do not read my posts -
I do not take offense to capital letters -
please stay with us -
twirl

[monrein]

Maritza, I hope you will change your mind and stay but if you do decide to leave us, I wish you all the best.  I find it difficult to read a long message in caps and I almost PMed you about it, figuring that perhaps you didn't realize that many people find it distracting.  When you say that typing in caps is who you are I'm confused.  Your avatar is a good way of expressing to others some of who you are.  Typing is just a way to communicate with others so why would you want others to have more trouble than necessary in order to understand your points or comments.  Some people like to type in colours too and depending on the colour that is also very difficult to read quickly (the quickly part is important because there's a lot to read in my world).  I don't want to skip reading your posts due to a technical difficulty because I care about you and am interested in what you have to say.

I used to teach at various universities, many years ago, well before computers were so widespread and I had many students who had no access to typewriters.  Some liked to write in all caps but it was too hard to read and I refused to accept those papers and tried as respectfully as possible to explain that I didn't have the extra time to spend just trying to read those papers.  I also asked the students who dotted their i's with hearts to please stop that too.  I taught French so there were also a ton of other distracting things like wrong grammar and incorrect words that meant nothing etc.  My husband's handwriting is so awful that no one will read anything he writes...they can't basically and many times I've had to write things out for him if he wants anyone to actually read it.  He's not insulted but has to find a way to make it easier for others.

This "report" or "complaint" that someone made about the caps isn't a personal thing, it's a technical detail.  I don't  see it as taking offense at you or being offended by you but simply that it's harder to read.  Period.  Despite what you may think, writing in caps is NOT who you are.  A person's handwriting is not who they are either in my view.   What you say, the choice of words you use to say it, how you respond to others, how you behave in the world...those are reflections of who you are.  In terms of netiquette, caps are considered shouting.  I know something about shouting since I have relatives who are hard of hearing and the TV shouts, they shout and I have to shout too so they can hear.  It's exhausting and not even necessary since we make very good hearing aids these days.  In the same way, your computer is capable of typing in a way that is easier and smoother for others and requires no more of you.  It's easier to read small letters even if you choose to skip capitals all together although I myself find it  easier to read sentences whose beginnings and endings are clearly marked.

I hope you will reconsider leaving and if you do stay, caps are good for emphasis, just like shouting.  If you feel you must leave, I enjoyed your posts while you were here and if you decide to return you'll be welcome again.   

[del]

No need to take it personally.  I find it really hard to read when it is all capitalized as well. I teach grade 2 and I spend a great deal of time trying to teach students when and where to use capital letters. I also find it really hard to read when people type using short forms of words like you would use in text messages or emails!!!  Spelling doesn't bother me as much!!!  But that is just me.  Keep posting. 

[Wenchie58]

I wish you would reconsider leaving the site over the "caps" issue.  Caps are very difficult to read for many...myself included, when you do as much reading as we do here.  You obviously can communicate well without the caps.
I have issues with misspellings and misuse of words ie: loose instead of lose, there instead of their.  If I read many posts with words like that I find myself clenching my jaw to the point of a headache.
I never got to meet Epoman (damn) but I have read his posts about spell check and keeping the forum looking good and doing our best.  We ALL make mistakes.
I am just sorry that I don't know how to "politely" tell a person to learn to spell and use the proper words without hurting feelings.  So I clench my teeth and read on through.
Babble Babble...I will shush, but don't leave such an informative and supportive site over a clerical issue.

[twirl]

spell check will not correct  their/there
I don't see the problem -
some people may not know the difference or maybe English is a second language to them

[Sluff]

I realize that many individuals on this website complain about such silly and minor things and then they report because they wont accept another person as they are. For example, I like to type with capital letters and someone complained about that and said they dont like it because its considered yelling in the online world. I do understand its considered yelling but why would anyone take such a thing into offense? What if I was yelling now? I am very disappointed with certain people and I am going to cancel my account with this site. Its very unfortunate but its how I feel about it because it is a free country to speak your mind and do what you want to a certain extent. I didnt think I would be reported about capitalizing my letters when there are people out there who write on paper with all capital letters. I just dont see what the big deal is unfortunately. I hope everyone good luck in their lives and I know the Lord is there to bless all of us through every day that we struggle and walk this earth. We shall all be ok. Thanks for the support of certain individuals. I appreciate quite a lot.

Sorry you feel that way. If someone were to visit you in your home wouldn't you want them to act in a respectful manner while in your home? It is the same concept here. Epoman set certain guidelines and rules for anyone who wants to be here and share in conversations with others who share the same common issues regarding ESRD and Dialysis. This site is Epomans on-line home and his rules will be followed and they will never go away. If anyone can not have the common courtesy to follow the few simple rules to keep his home orderly then it is best that you leave.  If you change your mind and the rules are not too much for you to follow then you are welcome back at anytime.

Sluff/Admin

[paris]

I, too, am sorry you feel that way.  With over 3,000 members, if everyone did things their own way, there would be no continuaty or order to the site.  There is a lot of pride in how the site looks.  You will notice, that if a smiley error is made, a moderator will correct it. Just to keep everything tidy and cared for.  The rules are simple.  Epoman took great care to make a safe home for all of us.  I hope you stay. 

[dwcrawford]

I am new and not too much into rules.  I think we should follow their rules or etiquette, etc. but I do think people could let you know in a more delilcate way.  I repeat this, that since I've been here, two or so months, I've been called a smart ass, vain  and a bad speller.  I  am all three granted but I believe I could have been told in a kinder way.  I saw the post your were talking about, and though I don't type in CAPS I was slightly offend and rather embarassed for you because of the way it was said.  I could have been done in a PM.  Sometimes people just llike to show  their computer savey.  This old dude has been around computers since the abacus and isn't impressed but some of these displays.  Don't leave because of that.  It is petty on both sides.  Hell, you need to be told everything once (politely is best).

[dwcrawford]

a question of etiquette.  I have a problem using my left hand a lot now because of the fistala.  what infranction of etiquette am I breaking by typing all lower case?

[kellyt]

Using all capital letters is not isolated to IHD.  Go to any forum or message board and type in all caps and someone will comment, nicely or otherwise.  It's difficult to read and is considering shouting in the cyber world.

Don't leave Maritza!  You will benefit far more from this site if you just swallow your pride and enjoy the banter. You are apparently not a wallflower and we can all appreciate that!       We all truly love and care about each other.  Believe me there are a few members who at times could use a nice long vacation to regroup (myself included), but we all have our crosses to bear.  Please stay.

[kitkatz]

I have to spell check and repost and modify all of the time.