talkmagic.co.uk

As all this took place while I was away, I've only just seen the thread. The key words for TM are Courtesy and Consideration, we're all aware that the written word can be misinterpreted or seem overly harsh so a little pause for thought before hitting the submit button often allows a bit of tactful editing to take place. Some newcomers will arrive and say all the wrong things, let's give them chance to get up to speed with how we do things here and be less swift with the sarky comments. And in that respect I know I've done my unfair share so apologies all round.

Sorry, Gary, but italics can also be used for foreign phrases and for titles of books, films and shows.

Bold can be used for emphasis, and has little other obvious use on a forum. Also, it stands out on the page, while italics is not as effective at that.

That's why I use bold for emphasis.

I agree with you about not using capitals.

Part-Timer wrote:Sorry, Gary, but italics can also be used for foreign phrases and for titles of books, films and shows.

Bold can be used for emphasis, and has little other obvious use on a forum. Also, it stands out on the page, while italics is not as effective at that.

That's why I use bold for emphasis.

Perhaps you're right. Bold is certainly easier to see, and as you say italics can have several functions.

As I hope I've made clear, my aim in this is not to impose a rigid value structure, or a set of rules on people. Rather it is to raise awareness about how we communicate with each other.

All the best
Gary

I use caps because I can't be bothered to wrap the bold tag around what I'm saying. Personally, I have never read caps as shouting. The only time I would ever read caps as shouting, would be if the entire line of text was in caps. A single word (to me) reads as emphasis.

Content of the post speaks more for emotion, and while I agree that we should remain civil, I don't see a problem with emotion in our conversations.