%META:TOPICINFO{author="ChrisBartram" date="1170379356" format="1.1" version="1.2"}%
%META:TOPICPARENT{name="Hp3000lNetiquette"}%
---+ Acronyms and Emoticons used on the HP3000-L Mailing List

As 'network communication' traditionally lacks the 'personal touch' and human expressions so important in personal communications, you may also see network mini-expressions mixed with text (also referred to as 'smileys'), intended to impart some sense of the emotion of the sender. Little 'smiles' ( :-) a smiling face as viewed when you turn your head to the left) are intended to impart humor, winks ";-)" are intended to impart off-the-collar remarks or wisecracks, and a variety of others will be seen in messages. "8-)" surprise, ":-(" frowns, ":^)" tongue-sticking out, etc. When in doubt, look at them sideways and use some imagination! 

<verbatim>
  Some common abbreviations:

  BOF    - "Birds of a Feather" - groups of users with common interest
  BTW    - By the way
  FAQ    - Frequently asked Questions
  FWIW   - For what its worth              
  FYI    - For your information
  IMHO   - In my humble opinion
  IMNSHO - In my (not so) humble opinion
  OTOH   - On the other hand...                                        
  RFC    - Request for Comments (the documents that define/decide Internet standards
  ROTFL  - Rolling on the floor laughing  
  RTFM   - Read the (bleep) manual
  RUG    - Regional Users' Group
  SIG    - signature file (name/contact info) appended to messages
         - also Special Interest Group (common among HP users - most
           SIGs are sponsored by Interex or local users' groups)
  TTFN   - Ta ta for now                                                 
  YMMV   - Your mileage may vary                                       
</verbatim>

-- Main.ChrisBartram - 14 Mar 2006