Shifty or Shiftless

[Sally, la reina]

What's the importance of the conventions of standard written English? Does it not really matter all that much, as long as your point and your tone manage to get across? Or do you feel like the subtle intonations of language need the shift key (and punctuation) to properly be conveyed?

[janine]

i like punctuation, but choose not to use the shift key.

[Félix]

In this context, being shiftless is acceptable to me. I dislike it more when people don't use the space bar enough. Or when they refuse to avatar up.

[Jim]

I prefer use of the shift key, but can live with whatever the user uses.

[Jonathan]

In this context, or in casual emails, not using conventional capitalization seems fine to me. But employing haphazard punctuation can sometimes be a problem because meanings get jumbled in the process. That said, much of the fun of TC comes from jumbled meanings.

[Kevin]

i've told you guys it's not easy for me to use the shift key. dangit

[Jammies]

Lynne Truss calls people like me "sticklers," and I am happy to wear that title. I make every effort to use capitalization, punctuation and grammar correctly, and to break the rules when I know what rule I'm breaking and why.

I am less successful at stopping myself from correcting others and/or thinking less of them for having different standards than I do. I'm still working on it, though!

[janine]

Kevin "El Liso Grande" wrote: "

i've told you guys it's not easy for me to use the shift key. dangit"

your hands and arms looked pretty normal in that turkey video.

[Jonathan]

That was a stunt double.

[Kevin]

i have a great prosthetic hand that i bought at Chubb's garage sale

[Sally, la reina]

janine wrote: "your hands and arms looked pretty normal in that turkey video."

hahahHA! The Dutch strike again!

[Jackie "the Librarian"]

I like to use all the tools available for me in expressing myself online.

It's hard enough to convey nuance using only text. Since you all can't HEAR me, of COURSE I'm going to use the shift key, as well as proper punctuation. I may go nuts and even italicize, when I'm in the right mood! :)

[ms.petra]

Kevin "El Liso Grande" wrote: "i have a great prosthetic hand that i bought at Chubb's garage sale"

that reminds me of the show American Pickers. :)

[Félix]

I love that show!

[Jonathan]

What is it?

[Félix]

http://www.history.com/shows/american...

[ms.petra]

it is addictive!

[Jonathan]

Cool! I have to check it out.

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

The conventions of standard written English are important to me. Not using them is the equivalent of going out in public in your pajamas. Yes, you're wearing "clothes," but everyone else made more of an effort. Are you a toddler? Are you on a gurney being wheeled into the emergency room? Then okay.

[Michele]

For me it's a combination of laziness and rebellion.

[Félix]

You've gotten better with the spacebar, though, Michele.

[Michele]

I have been trying to better myself, Larry.

[Félix]

:)