Re: Excessive use of bold text

DavidG · #1 November 10th, 2002, 04:34 AM

Is it just me or is the excessive use of bold text about as annoying as in the old days when some guys typed in all capitals?

Ragnarok · #2 November 10th, 2002, 05:02 AM

I agree. It gets very annoying. Just about, if not as bad as the all capital days.

Quikngruvn · #3 November 10th, 2002, 05:53 AM

WHAT'S WRONG WITH ALL CAPS?

(Ouch, my ears are ringing now....

)

Quikngruvn

[ November 10, 2002, 03:54: Message edited by: Quikngruvn ]

tbontob · #4 November 10th, 2002, 05:54 AM

In itself, I don't think caps are annoying. It is the intent behind the use of capitalization which seems to be the determining factor.

For example, if my young daughter creates a note for me all in capitals, I would think it is cute.

But for someone who knows better, whether it be verbal shouting or written capitalization, the intent is the same... to overwhelm a person with force. The person makes the choice to use this tactic rather than present his position in a clear and open manner to his listener/reader.

Edit: The above applies to bold text as well, but possibly with a bit more latitude such as in the case where the person wants to make sure an important point is noticed. Excessively done, it can be as annoying as capitalization.

[ November 10, 2002, 04:03: Message edited by: tbontob ]

Quikngruvn · #5 November 10th, 2002, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tbontob:
But for someone who knows better, whether it be verbal shouting or written capitalization, the intent is the same... to overwhelm a person with force.

Methinks you give people who use all caps too much benefit of the doubt. Most times I've seen all caps used, my impression was that the person was too clueless to turn off the Caps Lock.

Note that this is not the same impression I get from the person(s) allegedly overusing boldface. At the very least, there certainly appears to be a plan and reason behind the boldface. Indiscriminate use is different from (and worse than) excessive use....

Quikngruvn

tbontob · #6 November 10th, 2002, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Quikngruvn:
Methinks you give people who use all caps too much benefit of the doubt. Most times I've seen all caps used, my impression was that the person was too clueless to turn off the Caps Lock.
Quikngruvn[/QB]

You make a good point.

But, the typest can see that he/she is typing all in caps just as the shouter can hear he is shouting.

Both continue with their offensive acts when they could stop.

My young daughter would be clueless.

Most of the individuals we are talking about do not fall in the same Category as my daughter since they are aware on some level of what they are doing but have made the choice to continue with their behaviour.

[ November 10, 2002, 05:07: Message edited by: tbontob ]