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25 Rules of Tech Etiquette
9. Why does my dad insist on using ALL-CAPS for e-mail?
Because he doesn't get that you are literate and can parse his subtle writings without extra help. It's probably a well-intentioned, if lazy, habit, as for some it's just too much to bother with capitalized sentences and spelling and grammar. To him, putting everything in all-caps seems like a tidy solution. Unfortunately, he doesn't realize that caps are the online equivalent of yelling, and that, to those in the know (most people nowadays), it's the psychological equivalent of being screamed at. Tell him in a nice way that you don't really mind the all-caps, but that other people might interpret those messages as tirades. Also let him know that, incidentally, the tactic masks whatever tone he's trying to impart with his message.
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Comments
88
Subscribe to commentsJaniceJan 6th 2009 7:08PM
Dad may not be able to see the font on his screen unless it is all in caps. Show him how to find one he can read on screen easier while typing. Then, if necessary, how to decrease the size to normal for the recipients.
LisaNC54Jan 9th 2009 7:29AM
Hello there. Check your Dad's PC and look for accessories, accessibility. It has the accessibility for magnifying. Hope this helps and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
KERRYJan 9th 2009 6:51AM
ON USING CAPS: I HAVE BAD EYE SIGHT AND HAVE MS. IF PEOPLE THINK IT`S RUDE TO BAD. ON WHAT I JUST WROTE MAYBE RUDE SORRY FOR PEOLPLE DON`T UNDERSTAND. I`M NOT STUPID JUST ILL
MIKEJan 9th 2009 6:44AM
WHEN DID SOME COMPUTER NERD WHO MOST LIKELY HAS NOT BEEN OUT OF HIS OR HER HOUSE IN 11 YEARS,BECOME AN EXPERT ON ETIQUETTE?
LisaNC54Jan 9th 2009 7:24AM
Common sense folks. No one wants a forward that has ten zillion email addresses or attachments. Use BCC.
BREMIJan 9th 2009 7:44AM
USING ALL CAPS IN EASIER ON THE EYESIGHT. IF I WANT TO EMPHASIZE A WORD, I'M PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF USING ITALICS, BOLDTYPE, AN UNDERLINE, OR EVEN PUNCTUATION! YELLING? FERCRYIN'OUTLOUD! TYPING ETIQETTE!? JEEZ-LOO-EEZ!!!
FRED TILLMANJan 9th 2009 7:53AM
I AGREE WITH YOU 100%. THIS IS MY COMPUTER! IF THEY DON"T LIKE IT CALL ME ON THE TELEPHONE LIKE WE USED TO DO IN THE OLD DAYS!
PARKERJan 9th 2009 12:53PM
I AGREE, ALSO. THOSE THAT INSIST UPON SADDLING THE REST OF US WITH THE RIDICULOUS NOTION THAT WE ARE "SHOUTING"... OR "BEING RUDE", ARE THE VERY ONES WHO ARE RUDE AND INTRUSIVE.
MOREOVER, THE PEOPLE THAT REALLY IRK ME, ARE THOSE WHO REFUSE TO USE PUNCTUATION.
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ANNOYED, INSULTED, AND NON-RECEPTIVE, BY/OF THE CONCEPT OF WHAT 'SOME' CONSIDER TO BE "POLITICALLY CORRECT". IN MY MIND, "PC-ISM" IS NOTHING LESS THAN AN ATTEMPT AT "SOCIAL CENSORSHIP"; USUALLY, BY A MINORITY GROUP OR NOTION.
I'VE BEEN MAKING DECISIONS... AND LIVING WITH ANY CONSEQUENSES... SINCE I WAS A WEE LAD. I'VE RARELY FELT THE NEED TO BE CORRECTED, BY ANY ONE; MUCH LESS, BY SOMEONE NOT SHARING A SIMILAR OPINION OR PERSPECTIVE. I'M PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF CENSORING MYSELF, BEFOREHAND. I DO NOT WELCOME, NOR TOLERATE, COMPLETE STRANGERS ATTEMPTING TO "PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH". I'VE MOST OFTEN FOUND THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO BE WOEFULLY INEPT, INTRUSIVE, INSULTING, AND, RARELY SUFFICIENT TO HANDLE THE TASK.
AS FOR TYPING IN ALL CAPS... I FIND IT MUCH EASIER TO READ; ESPECIALLY, SINCE I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE SIZE OF FONTS USED BY OTHERS... BE THEY, "AUTHORS OR RECIPIENTS".
BREMIJan 9th 2009 1:28PM
BRAVO, FRED AND PARKER!!!!
ericJan 9th 2009 7:48PM
I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT IT'S EASIER TO TYPE IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE IT ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR HITTING SHIFT ALL THE TIME TO CAPITALIZE LETTERS AT THE BEGINNING OF SENTENCES, NAMES, ETC. I ALSO FEEL THAT IT'S JUST EASIER TO READ. I HAPPEN TO WRITE IN ALL BLOCK LETTERS, THIS IS DUE TO MY MANY YEARS OF DRAFTING & I'VE JUST GOTTEN USED TO IT. IT BOTHERS ME MORE WHEN I GET EMAILS THAT ARE DONE IN ALL LOWER CASE.
RichardJan 9th 2009 8:14AM
If ALL CAPS, IS YELLING..........is lower case....wispering
BABSJan 9th 2009 9:14AM
WHAT'S THE "BIG" PROBLEM? I LIKE CAPS AND I LIKE WHEN OTHER PEOPLE USE THEM...IT IS EASIER TO SEE FOR US "OLD" FOLKS...SO, LEAVE US ALONE, IF YA DONT LIKE IT, DONT READ IT.
TONYJan 9th 2009 8:25AM
TO TYPE OR NOT TYPE IN ALL CAPS? THAT IS THE QUESTION!
IS IT EASIER TO TUPE IN ALL CAPS AND NOT MAKE MISTUKES, WHICH ONE CAN SEA, OR JUST UTILIZE MY PINKIES ON THE "SHIFT" KEYS FOR TUPING?
WHEN I TYPED MY NEWSCASTS FOR READING, IT WAS MUCH EASIER READING THEM IN CAPITAL LETTERS, THAN IN UPPER-LOWER CASE AND IF MY RECIPIENTS THINK I'M SHOUTING, THAT'S THEIR PROBLEM! I'm not!
Enjoy your day!
carolJan 9th 2009 8:25AM
All caps actually hurt my eyes. People have their reasons why they use caps but I don't mind. It doesn't happen that often.
GivraJan 9th 2009 8:28AM
To the three people (so far) who intentionally posted in all caps, I know you think it makes your post easier to read. But for most people, including many with poor eyesight it doesn't. It makes your post harder to read. And yes, it is proper internet ettiquette to not use all caps. People may scoff, but consider this, would you just belch as loudly as you can during a meal with friends at a restaurant? Or would you try to stifle it? It is considered rude to type in all caps, just like overtly belching loudly would be. But, if you do wish to come across as rude and inconsiderate, feel free to continue to use all caps for e-mails and posts. Even though despite what some thing, it honestly doesn't make your posts easier to read.
sue, SUEJan 9th 2009 12:02PM
I HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH READING SMALL TYPE, SO YES IT IS EASIER TO READ ALL CAPS. THANK YOU
bremiJan 11th 2009 12:26PM
are you nuts? ARE YOU NUTS!? OOPS, GUESS I'M YELLING.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!
LORIJan 9th 2009 8:28AM
I PRINT USING ALL CAPITALS WHICH I LEARNED IN ARCHITECTURAL COURSES IN COLLEGE SO WHY CAN'T I TYPE AND EMAIL THE SAME WAY? HMMMMMMMM
stacyJan 9th 2009 8:31AM
I also would like to comment on the fact that a lot of times caps is used for people that cannot see well, and yes, it is easier on the eyes!! There are places online I have been where it is requested for people who have bad eyes to PLEASE USE CAPS, THEY CAN SEE BETTER.
Yes it is fun to communicate on line, and try to show emotion through what you type, but saying that caps is YELLING only?? What if its excitement, or just plain courtesy to someone who cant see very well?? My husband uses caps all the time, he can see it better and he generally does everything in caps on the computer and his text.
janikczynsJan 9th 2009 8:38AM
Some people can't see. See?