Smilies / emoticons

Discussion in 'Forum Announcements and Feedback' started by Daniel Mosquin, Apr 21, 2008.

?

Should smilies be enabled?

Poll closed May 5, 2008.
  1. Yes, I would find them useful.

    4 vote(s)
    28.6%
  2. No, I like things as they are.

    10 vote(s)
    71.4%
  1. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    A few people have requested the use of smilies / emoticons lately (or made a point of mentioning that they're not used on here). Perhaps time to revisit this?

    Here's a poll question on whether I should enable them or not. Let's say 2/3 of members need to be in favour of it to pass.
     
  2. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Nope. This is a serious place - no need.
     
  3. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    What, no dancing bananas?
     
  4. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Oh goodness. On Bananas.org, maybe. Not here, please. Our humour is more Pythonesque.
     
  5. edleigh7

    edleigh7 Well-Known Member

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    I agree, no need
     
  6. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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    It may be helpful to know the details of what the change would be. There's a big difference between a small set of static smilies and a large set of animated ones. If we go ahead with a change I suggest using a very limited number of smilies that are static, well known, and commonly understood.
     
  7. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Well, I think it would be a small set of classy-as-can-be ones. I don't think I'd ever cross the Rubicon of animated smilies (meaning no dancing bananas).
     
  8. SUNRIZE

    SUNRIZE Active Member

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    I wouldn’t mind a few smileys…I think it helps communicate and convey emotion to the reader which is not always easy to do in cyber world also it helps lighten up the atmosphere and make it seem a little more friendlier ..and its up to the individual to decide whether they want to use them or not… : )
     
  9. photopro

    photopro Well-Known Member

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    Not suggesting this would happen here, but there was a forum for "serious" plant growers that went bust about a year ago. One of the things they added a few months before the bust was "smilies". The serious growers hated the things because frequently the less serious growers would "decorate" their posts with them. People got to the point they would purposely insult someone else but then add a smilie. The people who enjoyed talking about science as well as their plants finally gave up on the site and it no longer exists.

    It is my opinion that UBC has the most knowledgeable growers on the net responding to questions. I am often amazed at how many people know the scientific names and scientific background of the species they love to grow. There are a few growers on here (Michael F comes to mind) that teach me something new all the time.

    Just my personal opinion, but I like it the way it is. This forum does a great job of educating while answering the questions of growers that are still new to the craft.
     
  10. Margaret

    Margaret Active Member 10 Years

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    The personalities and interests of regular contributers shines through their posts and personally I find that smilies / emoticons trigger a "knee jerk reaction" similiar to my response to noisy, in-your-face advertising on tv which I just tune out of. To quote that old but still relevant phrase " use your words". Just my view!
    Margaret
     
  11. pierrot

    pierrot Active Member 10 Years

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    Daniel

    I thought we were a serious bunch of scientists and plant lovers with some humour but No thank you to smilies or any other flashing doodad.

    your work here is too good to spoil with gizmometers
     
  12. Silver surfer

    Silver surfer Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    Whole heartedly agree with all the "no" comments above.Luddite
     
  13. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

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    well, i voted yes. (i just luv to be difficult...erm, i mean DIFFERENT, lol ;) )

    yes, we're a serious bunch. scholarly and very knowledgeable...nothing wrong with having a little fun, sometimes, though!! a few generic-type smilies would be nice on occassion.

    i certainly wouldn't expect this little guy (as wonderful as he is) to be bouncing around the forum though...

    sorry, folks! i just HAD to do it...
     

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  14. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Oh now you've done it. There will be tears before bedtime.
     
  15. edleigh7

    edleigh7 Well-Known Member

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    All we need now is a dancing monkey to eat the dancing banana!! ; )

    Ed
     
  16. Megami

    Megami Active Member 10 Years

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    Here we go ;)
     

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  17. edleigh7

    edleigh7 Well-Known Member

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    Me and my BIG mouth!!
    See how these emoticons make this thread look more botanical and scientific ; )
     
  18. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    I was thinking more something like this, actually....
     

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  19. Megami

    Megami Active Member 10 Years

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    Yes very scientific indeed!!

    For the record, I voted no to the emoticons ;)

    They have their place, but I'm not sure this is it.
     
  20. Margaret

    Margaret Active Member 10 Years

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    Perhaps a warning sign could be posted along with the post so that we can decide if we wish to open it?! Yes, I know yet more work for Daniel and I suppose that I am half joking.
    Margaret
    ps. I have already voted.
     
  21. SUNRIZE

    SUNRIZE Active Member

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    I knew I would be a minority here voting for the smileys…lol….Thanks, Joclyn I don’t feel so alone now …and yes! I have used the banana in the past!… (Holding my head up with out shame)…LOL
     
  22. tipularia

    tipularia Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Perhaps a time to resurrect this thread about animated gifs, etc. for those of us who did not see it at the time.
     
  23. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Oh rats, I missed the poll. I'd have voted no, but I think it's first time I've read this thread and I did have a good laugh.
     
  24. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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