I know I'm barking up the wrong tree!!!

[Thomas]

But I still have to say it:

The overuse of the stupid emoticons is distruptive to reading people's posts.

Go ahead and emoticon me to death for this comment.

Regards,
Thomas

[MaryLou]

Thomas, we really missed you around here
I'm so glad you are back

[rollerdonna]

Mary Lou said it all!
Love having you back Thomas!

donna
(hope you don't mind me colouring myself purple!)

[TBug]

Actually I agree with you Thomas.

There is a reason and need for them, because it is sometimes hard to get a point or feeling across with only written words. So the use of them can set a tone. Like a wink. When you are kidding.
It's the internets way of showing facial expressions,. Half of what communication is about. The overuse or misuse of them sorta defeats the whole point of them. All you see is flashing yellow dots and it takes your attention away.

Tina
Thats my two cents!

[bigjohn461]

I am soooo sorry you do not like them Thomas Can you see the tiny little tears falling Hope you have a wonderful day you silly Wabbit :evil:

[KimJack]

Think of the previous boards, Thomas. People showed their moods with <lol> and <wink> and <BG> and <VBG> and <ROFLMAO> and ...well, you get the idea. I think the emoticoms are a fresh and easily understood way of doing the same thing, as long as they're not overdone (which, I admit, they often are).

So show your wicked wit with one of these :evil:, Thomas, and your occasional touch of humanity with something like this. Your reputation as a quiet and somber gentleman will be safe with us , even if you occasionally punctuate your prose with silly faces.

Jack

[CruisinK n J]

I think they're cute. I try not to overdo, but sometimes . . .

Judy

[Kuki]

Thomas.. overuse of the emoticons can be disruptive, but I think we see very little of that here.

But Tbug is correct They do provide "emotions" to a post, and in a two dimensional world like this, where meanings and emotions are often misunderstood, they do serve a purpose to clarify the tone of a post.

BTW.. I too am happy to see back with us in the CruiseMates neighborhood

[MichelleP]

I'm just glad you're here, Thomas, and giving the new board format a try! I thought we'd never see you again.

Did you see my post to you further down the page, titled "Thomas"?

Cheers,
Michelle P.

[Luanne Russo]

Thomas, When our dog barks up the wrong tree, we pop him with a newspaper. (Smile)

I have noticed that when we got all these new toys to play with, we all pretty much over used them. But as time has gone on, it seems to have calmed down, and everyone is pretty much back to the normal way we did things.

I am glad you are back too.

Luanne (smile)

[Sailing gal]

Hi Thomas,
I think of you and try not to use them too much. I remember you had made a comment in the past about your disdain for them.
Cannot wait to hear about the latest Thomas news. Sorry about your Mom.
Karen

[Thomas]

Thanks all for the "welcome backs" to the boards. I do not like the new format since every other stinking board I'm on uses the same, and I like different options. But since this is the only cruise site whose members are decent folks I will have to suck-it-up and conform.............yep, uh-huh.

Regards,
Thomas

[Lombard]

LMAO! Thomas.
Thanks for the laugh.
I hope you were being funny as that is how I read the last part of your message and you didn't use any emoticons or lol's etc.

[Cruise Cynic]

since this is the only cruise site whose members are decent folks I will have to suck-it-up and conform.............yep, uh-huh.

Alright. Just WHO are you and what have you done with Thomas???

[Phyllbo]

Welcome back Thomas. I'm really glad you have decided to come back and post again. It is so good to have you around here.

Phyll

[sue]

I know I missed you a lot and I am so happy you are back I hate the new format too but what can we do? My reward is having you around 8) 8) 8) 8)

[bigjohn461]

Ya'll quit it... ..I got tears running down both legs..and I got my short sleeve pants on..

[dezertcruzer]

It's so nice to "talk" to you again, Thomas!

[Travelnut]

Welcome back Thomas,,,
Will [/i] try to refrain from using all those little yellow guys,,,
glad you are back.

[DougR.]

Th mas I am n t sure what y u are c 8) mplaining ab ut

[BW]

Hey Thomas:

Don't look at this as sucking up for a free beer if I ever visit your pub but, the overuse of these emoticons is disruptive. I'm with Tina of this.

Bill

[Dorothy]

You asked for it.......glad people were able to oblige. I can't say I never use them, but I try for only one per post, if any.

I agree that the extensive use of them is annoying. I especially dislike that exclamation point for some reason. I mean don't we already have an exclamation point? Does making it big and yellow really add anything?

Welcome back! (See? It worked just fine...)

dorothy

[Thomas]

Holy sewer rat Batman the exclamation point really works fine! Bless you Dorothy for bringing that up, I agree that is most annoying. I'd rather hear fingernails across the blackboard.................ooooh blackboard; now I'm really showing my age.

Regards,
Thomas