[colivigan]

Originally Posted by AWR And I thought the *...* around a word was called a *Windswept*? What does this practice imply exactly?

Only that you're probably an old-timer.

As drew pointed out, it was a commonly accepted method of indicating *emphasis* in plain text email, newsgroup, or BBS postings before we had fancy GUI tricks like bold or italics.

I still do it too.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by murbot There's more than that. Read the poster a little, like, closer. Like, the name.

Zing!

[Windswept]

Originally Posted by UncleJohn Only that you're probably an old-timer.

OH! Such an unfortunate choice of words, John.

Please speak for yourself.

Personally, I picked up the *asterisk* habit during a spate of extensive emailing with a London friend two years ago. He was 27 at the time; but perhaps you consider '27' old-timer status? I guess on a board replete with teenagers, perhaps it would be.

As drew pointed out, it was a commonly accepted method of indicating *emphasis* in plain text email, newsgroup, or BBS postings before we had fancy GUI tricks like bold or italics.

I use 'bold' and 'italics' rather frequently; but using 'asterisks' is quicker and therefore more efficient, imo.

[psmith2.0]

As long as it's not with ME, I always enjoy watching Carol get a bit torqued-up and feisty with folks.

[EmC]

He's one woman joke away from a banning.

[colivigan]

Originally Posted by Windswept OH! Such an unfortunate choice of words, John. Please speak for yourself.

Sorry about that. I meant it only in the best sense. Really. Badge of honor, if you will.

Personally, I picked up the *asterisk* habit during a spate of extensive emailing with a London friend two years ago. He was 27 at the time; but perhaps you consider '27' old-timer status? I guess on a board replete with teenagers, perhaps it would be.

Yes, that was pretty much my frame of reference. I think anyone who has been noodling around on teh intraweb for 10 years or more probably qualifies.

I use 'bold' and 'italics' rather frequently; but using 'asterisks' is quicker and therefore more efficient, imo.

Yep, I agree. Plus, I stubbornly adhere to the old-fashioned traditional view that email should really be a text-only medium.

[psmith2.0]

Me?!? No way.

She can be a fireball, really stand her ground and put people in their place. I totally dig it (as long as I'm not the one on the receiving end).

When those and smileys come out, you know it's your ass.

[alcimedes]

ctrl-i and ctrl-b will do the Vb tags for bold and italics automatically.

[drewprops]

yes but we *like* using asterisks because they're all pointy in the right places.

like carol

[Windswept]

Originally Posted by EmC He's one woman joke away from a banning.

Originally Posted by pscates2.0 Me?!? No way.

Paul, I think EmC was referring to UncleJohn.

Plus, I hardly ever ban people. Only for spam, really. If it's a transgression 'other' than spam, I fly in outrage to the mod forum for intense consultations with the other mods/admins; and then we generally come to agreement on what to do to the offender.

Heh. Hoppin' good times in the mod forum.

She can be a fireball, really stand her ground and put people in their place. I totally dig it (as long as I'm not the one on the receiving end).

Aw shucks, Paul. I've never really leveled (what alcimedes calls) my keyboard cannon at *you*, have I???

(Alc calls it that because it was recently leveled at 'him' in the mod forum. heh. )

When those and smileys come out, you know it's your ass.

[alcimedes]

NM.

an inappropriate comment on my part.

[Windswept]

Originally Posted by alcimedes NM. an inappropriate comment on my part.

Ah-HA!

Getting a bit more cautious, are we?

[colivigan]

Thanks for the chaff cloud, guys! I think it may have worked.

[alcimedes]

Ask me what I said in a couple of days and I'll be happy to tell you.

[EmC]

I think I figured it out.