Why are caps not allowed?

[MaGGster]

I write in caps a lot, and I don't understand why everyone thinks a person is upset. I am an easy going person who isn't yelling because i use caps. but ty for response back

[Homer]

Posting in CAPS is considered bad netiquette. See below.

Do not type in all caps. Typing in all caps is considered yelling or screaming online. Those who type in all caps are perceived as lazy and not being considerate of those who will have to read their email. Various studies on the topic reflect that it is more difficult and takes longer to read text that is typed in all caps. And for those who question "What studies?" here is one example for your reading pleasure:

http://www.psych.utoronto.ca/~muter/pmuter1.htm
Searching for words is faster with uppercase characters, but reading of continuous text is slower (Vartabedian, 1971), perhaps because interline masking is greater with uppercase (Nes, 1986). In addition, lowercase enhances reading efficiency because word shape is helpful in word recognition (Rudnicky & Kolers, 1984).

One is free, at their convenience, to review the entire document above which goes into detail about how eyes react to what they have to read based on how the content is presented.


Stating certain professions are required to type in all caps (that's the first time I've heard that one) does not jive either. Would you send any off-line communications in all caps - the answer is probably no.
NOTE: It should go without saying, however, since I was chastised for not saying so, this rule certainly doesn't apply to the vision impaired or to those who are disabled or handicapped and cannot use the shift key. However, since typing in all caps is considered yelling online, it would behoove those who do so because of these reasons to take the time to include a brief note why they are typing in caps so that their emails and intent are not misinterpreted.

[disneyland lady]

Right off the bat I figure God would be one of those worthy professionals. I am thinking that my profession of drummer (studio musician not fancy drummer) but sheesh 37 yrs ... I should have a dang uppercase. But my son is always considered Medical Examiner .... not medical examiner even though he is a cop (lowercase) or policeman.



disneyland lady insane diego

[Runner]

Posting in CAPS is considered bad netiquette. See below.

Do not type in all caps. Typing in all caps is considered yelling or screaming online. Those who type in all caps are perceived as lazy and not being considerate of those who will have to read their email. Various studies on the topic reflect that it is more difficult and takes longer to read text that is typed in all caps. And for those who question "What studies?" here is one example for your reading pleasure:

http://www.psych.utoronto.ca/~muter/pmuter1.htm
Searching for words is faster with uppercase characters, but reading of continuous text is slower (Vartabedian, 1971), perhaps because interline masking is greater with uppercase (Nes, 1986). In addition, lowercase enhances reading efficiency because word shape is helpful in word recognition (Rudnicky & Kolers, 1984).

One is free, at their convenience, to review the entire document above which goes into detail about how eyes react to what they have to read based on how the content is presented.


Stating certain professions are required to type in all caps (that's the first time I've heard that one) does not jive either. Would you send any off-line communications in all caps - the answer is probably no.
NOTE: It should go without saying, however, since I was chastised for not saying so, this rule certainly doesn't apply to the vision impaired or to those who are disabled or handicapped and cannot use the shift key. However, since typing in all caps is considered yelling online, it would behoove those who do so because of these reasons to take the time to include a brief note why they are typing in caps so that their emails and intent are not misinterpreted.

ROFLMAO----  Has anybody looked at the dates for those studies?  How ancient were computers in 1984? One of those studies was done in 1971. ROFLMAO still.  How many people had home computers that you could even hook up to the net on in 1971?

That is funny.

[Homer]

ROFLMAO----  Has anybody looked at the dates for those studies?  How ancient were computers in 1984? One of those studies was done in 1971. ROFLMAO still.  How many people had home computers that you could even hook up to the net on in 1971?

That is funny.

Regardless of when the studies were done it still holds true.

[FreecellFanny]

ROFLMAO----  Has anybody looked at the dates for those studies?  How ancient were computers in 1984? One of those studies was done in 1971. ROFLMAO still.  How many people had home computers that you could even hook up to the net on in 1971?

That is funny.

Homer is right.

The study may be old but the facts remain: typing in all caps is rude and is considered shouting.

Personally, it gives me a damn headache and I consider those who do type in all in caps to be uneducated and ill mannered.

In fact, I have banned people from my bulletin board for that.

And consider this: if the practice were widely accepted do you really think Pogo themselves would have UPPERCASE chatrooms?

[Mary]

could`nt have said it better myself Free  :D

[edfshr]

I have a lot of opinions about folks who type only in uppercase.  I started using computers in 1964 and got my PhD in Computer Science.

Among those observations (might be considered opinions):  People who typed in upper case only around 1980 had primarily business oriented computers with apps for banking and accounting, their terminals were frequently bottom of the price curve and only had UC..  My own business was newspaper typesetting so lower case was an everyday thing and required in all aspects of the software.

When I was in Japan on business I learned that their highly touted "Everybody learns Engrish" was a joke.  If I used lower case more than  have the people I encountered could not read it.  All of the "English" signs in the subway were uppercase only.  (they would probably blame it on the non-Japanese Asians)

I remember one graduate student who was retyping a consultant's report entirely in upper case so that it loooked like it came from a computer and "they will believe anything that comes from a computer".

[Stinkerbell]

When I read anything typed entirely in upper case, I become very confused.  Disoriented even.  Come to think of it, that applies to lower case as well.  Ummm..... any case actually.   :-*

[Stinkerbell]

 :ooo

[FreecellFanny]

When we go to school we are taught to write properly with good grammar and punctuation.

And that is the way it should be done, period. End of story. Finita la musica.  >>:D

:/\

[BadgeBabe]

Could someone send these answers to the freaking tournament directors? ASAP? Pogo needs to change their protocols about tourney directors using all caps immediately. I think that's why they drive me up the wall and usually out of the room.

[disneyland lady]

Could someone send these answers to the freaking tournament directors? ASAP? Pogo needs to change their protocols about tourney directors using all caps immediately. I think that's why they drive me up the wall and usually out of the room.

Yet another computer term would cover this one: GIGO <:> Garbage In, Garbage Out  :xx

disneyland lady insane diego

[FreecellFanny]

Being as I am part of a league I understand why the directors use all caps; it makes it easier to see their messages when a tournament is being played.

However, the use of caps by the director in the room my league always uses doesn't seem to irritate the non-leaguers

That being said, on a regular, day to day basis, using all caps is unacceptable as previously stated. When people in the rooms that are not caps dedicated insist on typing in caps people usually tell them why it isn't an accepted practice. And yes, sometimes people jump all over them in an attempt to drive them out of the room.

If it becomes a huge issue I will message the offender privately and let them know about it.

It certainly doesn't help to get involved in the public discussion.

[Stinkerbell]

I usually have my chat closed anywho, so it's a non issue.  However, when I DO happen to have the chat open, I find all CAPS very distracting, so I almost always immediately change rooms.

[~Sassy~]

When I read anything typed entirely in upper case, I become very confused.  Disoriented even.  Come to think of it, that applies to lower case as well.  Ummm..... any case actually.   :-*

:)) :)) :))