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.
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.
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).
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… : )
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.
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
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
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...
Me and my BIG mouth!! See how these emoticons make this thread look more botanical and scientific ; )
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.
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.
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
Perhaps a time to resurrect this thread about animated gifs, etc. for those of us who did not see it at the time.
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.
I was reminded of this old thread when I came upon the following article. The study's findings, which I find surprising, support the decision to not allow the use of emojis. It also shows that even mundane things get studied by the scientific community. Study finds emojis are differently interpreted depending on gender, culture, and age of viewer | Phys.org
