I find it grating to be called "u" just like I would find it grating disrespectful insulting to read someone calling me "Kvn" like I'm not worth the milliseconds to be called Kevin or you instead. It downgrades your message, says it's not important. Well if it's teens babbling it's probably not important.

On the other hand, standards like lol omfg kthxbai etc I'm cool with.

meow said the dog: Look, I realize that not everyone can type perfectly, but at least try. Damn. Is that so much to ask?

It's because of the fatness of American thumbs, amirite?

Fine, go ahead and shorten "you" to "u", and "four" to "4", but don't biatch when I tell you I think less of you because of it.

Two Hearted: "four" to "4"

I'm okay with that. "For" to "4" is unacceptable.

All that matters anymore is that you consume.

tricycleracer: Two Hearted: "four" to "4"

I'm okay with that. "For" to "4" is unacceptable.

Oh, wait, I'm dumb. I meant the latter.

tricycleracer: meow said the dog: Look, I realize that not everyone can type perfectly, but at least try. Damn. Is that so much to ask?

It's because of the fatness of American thumbs, amirite?

No - it's due to walmart and too many guns.

/Do try and keep up

Yes, I try to use correct grammar when I text, and no, I won't apologize for it.

Texting isn't bad english, it's a different form of english adapted to a new medium. It's english lite.

It's called predictive text and heuristic keyboards. Anyone not using actual words runs the risk of taking more effort to be hard to understand than it would be to let their phone predict proper grammar.

And that's not a problem, that's how English works. Some changes are accepted, and the world embraces them. Other changes are rejected. We've rejected txt speak. Baby boomers just figuring it out after it's already dying back out doesn't make relevant.

It made sense when everyone was typing out words using the numpad, but now that everyone has a smart phone with an onscreen keyboard and spell check, there's really no reason to talk like an idiot anymore.

It's even more enraging when people send work e-mails in text speak.

FirstNationalBastard: meow said the dog: Look, I realize that not everyone can type perfectly, but at least try. Damn. Is that so much to ask?

LAUGHTER OL!

What is this I don't even

Mr Guy: We've rejected txt speak. Baby boomers just figuring it out after it's already dying back out doesn't make relevant.

Yeah. Using txt speak now makes you sound like a Congressman, and who would want that?

downstairs: meow said the dog: Look, I realize that not everyone can type perfectly, but at least try. Damn. Is that so much to ask?

Exactly. I get the occasional typo... I do it all the time. The keyboard is tiny. But substituting "wud" for "would".... ugh, that kills me!

tricycleracer: meow said the dog: Look, I realize that not everyone can type perfectly, but at least try. Damn. Is that so much to ask?

It's because of the fatness of American thumbs, amirite?

Hey guys... let me introduce you to meow said the dog. Often this person's posts are convoluted to the point of being incomprehensible, but this post was a thing of beauty from said poster.

I love the shortcuts. I think they're clever. I think anyone that has an issue with it is too uptight.

Grammer dropped her storeboughts down the septic tank in the 80's, and has been gummin' since then.

Sounds like the clueless dummies are [once again] trying to "explain" why they do stupid things. Period .

Hoboclown: It made sense when everyone was typing out words using the numpad, but now that everyone has a smart phone with an onscreen keyboard and spell check, there's really no reason to talk like an idiot anymore.

It's even more enraging when people send work e-mails in text speak.

Which is pretty much what I was going to come in to post. On phones that don't have full keyboards, it's excusable. If you have a full keyboard, or touchscreen, it's absurd. You actually have to intentionally misspell words.

""It's a tool to communicate - the more efficient you are, the better."

Well, eating is a tool to nourish the body. Directly injecting nutrients into your stomach (or bloodstream) would be more "efficient."

Efficient isnt always "better"

You (auto)complete me.

I think the fact that I frequently deal with networking protocols may partially explain why I value proper grammar and spelling. "Wht r u doin 2nite" just makes me want to smack someone with a rolled up newspaper and scream, "No! Badly formed packet! Follow the spec!"

So let me get this straight ... a period at the end of a text message makes you sound sarcastic? Huh?

Frankly, when I see a text message that doesn't have some form of punctuation, I think the person is ridiculously lazy.

I despise text speak. I understand it for kids, but if you're a grown-up and you use text-speak with me, I assume you've got the intelligence of a 12-year-old.

I understand lines are graying and changing constantly between formality and efficiency. Yes, most of us don't wear suits and ties to work anymore (if you even work in an office and don't telecommute). But, on a warm day, it would probably be most efficient to just wear a T-shirt, boxers and flip-flops out of bed and into the office. You go through the formality of at least putting on a polo and some slacks to look and feel somewhat professional.

Go through the formality of using human words and spelling so you look a little more impressive and intelligent. Furthermore, last time I checked "LOL" and "Ha!" have the same amount of characters and, if anything, the latter has more meaning.

My father, who is close to 60 years of age, texts like an 11 year old. For example, "What are you doing?" becomes "wutcha doin" sans any punctuation. "What are you up to?" becomes "wut u up 2" (again, without a question mark). Frankly, I refuse to respond to any such texts. We're both grown adults, and I prefer to communicate with other adults in a manner befitting adults.

Now, if only I could find a kind way of explaining why I "ignore" his texts that won't offend him...

tgambitg: downstairs: meow said the dog: Look, I realize that not everyone can type perfectly, but at least try. Damn. Is that so much to ask?

Exactly. I get the occasional typo... I do it all the time. The keyboard is tiny. But substituting "wud" for "would".... ugh, that kills me!

tricycleracer: meow said the dog: Look, I realize that not everyone can type perfectly, but at least try. Damn. Is that so much to ask?

It's because of the fatness of American thumbs, amirite?

Hey guys... let me introduce you to meow said the dog. Often this person's posts are convoluted to the point of being incomprehensible, but this post was a thing of beauty from said poster.

I'm very familiar with her work. I miss the head-trauma posts.

Typos are not grammatical errors. Please stop suggesting that they are. Thank you.

FizixJunkee: My father, who is close to 60 years of age, texts like an 11 year old. For example, "What are you doing?" becomes "wutcha doin" sans any punctuation. "What are you up to?" becomes "wut u up 2" (again, without a question mark). Frankly, I refuse to respond to any such texts. We're both grown adults, and I prefer to communicate with other adults in a manner befitting adults.

Now, if only I could find a kind way, a way that won't offend him, of explaining why I "ignore" his texts...

Dagnabbit, I erred on that last line. FTFM

Smoky Dragon Dish: I thought it was three periods at the end of a text message.

Non-sarcastic: Nice job on the dishes.
Sarcastic: Nice job on the dishes...

This...

My problem with texting isn't the grammar. It's that people are using texts to further insulate themselves from actual inter-personal communications. Sure, there are some situations when it makes sense to text - but those are relatively rare. More often texting seems just an excuse to avoid having to think and talk at the same time.

And what you don't use, you lose. I see it constantly in kids of a certain age. None of them seem capable of carrying on a conversation in real-time. It's like you can almost see their thumbs working the keys before they speak.

Oldthinkers unbellyfeel newspeak.

Smoky Dragon Dish:
I thought it was three periods at the end of a text message.

Non-sarcastic: Nice job on the dishes.
Sarcastic: Nice job on the dishes...

An ellipsis is a different story. That's sarcasm. However, the article doesn't indicate an ellipsis, just a period.

I prefer the AP style of a space before the first and after the last dot of the ellipsis, but no spaces in between. But I'm more than OK with any other style ...

dudicon: FizixJunkee: FizixJunkee: My father, who is close to 60 years of age, texts like an 11 year old. For example, "What are you doing?" becomes "wutcha doin" sans any punctuation. "What are you up to?" becomes "wut u up 2" (again, without a question mark). Frankly, I refuse to respond to any such texts. We're both grown adults, and I prefer to communicate with other adults in a manner befitting adults.

Now, if only I could find a kind way, a way that won't offend him, of explaining why I "ignore" his texts...

Dagnabbit, I erred on that last line. FTFM


WAT DOING?

[throws macbook at doodoocon]

gopher321: Publik edyukayshun made me the man i am todaye.

/*drool*

Is dat a shakespeare quote?

Grammar is what your teachers want you to use. Communication is what shows your education. Txt messages, like pig latin, are more about talking to your group and keeping the 'other guys' out. Rules of grammar are old-fashioned and out-dated. But text is language only if used right, otherwise, it's just babble.

I actually find it more irritating that people tend not to realize how little context text to text communication has. Maybe I just suck at acting excited via punctuation.

Phony_Soldier: tricycleracer: meow said the dog: Look, I realize that not everyone can type perfectly, but at least try. Damn. Is that so much to ask?

It's because of the fatness of American thumbs, amirite?

No - it's due to walmart and too many guns.

/Do try and keep up

No, no, no. It's President ODUHMA and his cronies.


Sheesh!