First, let me say that I enjoy Mouse Planet's columnists--particularly Al Lutz's work. But there is a little online writing habit that annoys the heck out of me: the use of the "wink" ;)

Mouse Planeteers, I admit that you know your subject; after all, that's why I check out this site regularly (and even chip in two bucks on occasion). That being said, one thing I don't like to see in your columns is the "wink." This "emoticon" is often the equivalent, it seems to me, of "Gotcha!" or "I told you so!" or "Look at me--I'm a genius!" It's every bit as annoying as people who wiggle their fingers to draw quotation marks in the air just to show that they are being ironic. Your words should be enough.

In other words, if you're going to wink at me online, you better mean business!

Thus ends my mild rant. Keep up the good work.

Originally posted by Horace Horsecollar
First, let me say that I enjoy Mouse Planet's columnists--particularly Al Lutz's work. But there is a little online writing habit that annoys the heck out of me: the use of the "wink" ;)

Mouse Planeteers, I admit that you know your subject; after all, that's why I check out this site regularly (and even chip in two bucks on occasion). That being said, one thing I don't like to see in your columns is the "wink." This "emoticon" is often the equivalent, it seems to me, of "Gotcha!" or "I told you so!" or "Look at me--I'm a genius!" It's every bit as annoying as people who wiggle their fingers to draw quotation marks in the air just to show that they are being ironic. Your words should be enough.

In other words, if you're going to wink at me online, you better mean business!

Thus ends my mild rant. Keep up the good work.

Aw heck. I was just starting to get really good at showing my emotions by using those little faces.

Personally, I use it {I am thinking, without checking} to show tht I am joking about something.

I am not a genius. :crying: I hate people who say I told you so or Gotcha! :mad: And I don't hate many people. But, grrrr.

I hope to use the faces properly. You may call me on it if I don't.
And you catch me. ;)

{What did you think? Did I do it right? Oh, and I am not a real 'Planeteer', I just portray one on this board.}

That's OK, MouseWife--wink, blink, and nod away. I understand why people use the smileys on the message boards--God knows who you're writing to. But the regular columnists (Al Lutz and Co.) shouldn't resort to such typographical tricks--we're the amateurs, they're the prose. Prose, pros! Hah! Now there was a pun! Never found a pun I could pass up--it's a very bad habit. Chalk it up to a pop-up book from my childhood.

Originally posted by Horace Horsecollar
That's OK, MouseWife--wink, blink, and nod away. I understand why people use the smileys on the message boards--God knows who you're writing to. But the regular columnists (Al Lutz and Co.) shouldn't resort to such typographical tricks--we're the amateurs, they're the prose. Prose, pros! Hah! Now there was a pun! Never found a pun I could pass up--it's a very bad habit. Chalk it up to a pop-up book from my childhood.

That was a very good pun!!!

Yes, I sometimes find it hard to think of certain words, better words to fit what I am trying to say. I would think that someone who writes constantly would have a wider vocabulary base than I do.

I was doing pretty good last year. I homeschooled my 8th grader. I loved his Literature class, we didn't have the same in my high school. Wonderful pieces. And, we had to do vocabulary from each story and a spelling test, too. He did so well. I am afraid that going back to regular school is too easy. And I miss the work.