Does anyone have any idea

[Nova_C]

Does anyone have any idea why people type in all caps?

I mean, I've thought about it and I can't really come up with any reason that makes sense. Writing in all caps makes posts harder to read and understand. Yahoo news comments are horrendously bad for this.

I mean, even on this board there are people who title their threads in all caps and I just don't get it. It's the textual equivalent of constantly screaming in peoples ears.

 

[Mr. Maya]

:shrugs::duck:

 

[Nanci]

I hate it at work when a keyboard has the caps lock on. One program we use requires three uppercase initials as a log in. Really- can't you use the shift key for three letters?

 

[Nova_C]

Well, how about the people who are doing the all caps thing? I'm not being hostile here - why do you post or title threads in all caps?

 

[DaGiant]

It got your attention didn't it?
That's why I do it... if is ticks you off.....
OH WELL!!!!!!

LOL

 

[The_Thunderer]

In my opinion, its just a perceptual thing. If I were to write in caps, you might think that I were screaming at you, but I simply might be excited, wanting everyone to "TAKE NOTICE" of my post, so I'd capitalize the title.

I think the thing that bugs me more... and it too is a perceptual thing... is when people, upon seeing caps, ALWAYS assume that the person writing is screaming at everyone. It is not always true and can usually be determined by the context of the message. Case in point, there was a person (I don't remember if it were here or on another board I frequent), who was asking for help... and happened to be using all caps. Instead of just giving him the help he wanted, folks got on his case about the caps. Post after post was "GET RID OF THE CAPS" or "YOU'RE YELLING AT ME!" All it took was one answer, and the "CAPS" were gone. LOL!

OR

What about the folks that don't space or add punctuation to their posts? THAT bothers me more because it IS more difficult to read.

I tend to write certain words or phrases in caps to accentuate or "stress" where I do. Like if I were to tell my wife that my son, Kevin, forgot to take out the garbage, I might literally say (without yelling), "KEVIN, forgot to take out the garbage AGAIN." All in normal conversational tones, just adding stress for effect. Kinda like italicizing but not... LOL. It is much easier to capitalize than go back and italicize everything.

And really, it I don't think (IMHO) it should be harder or easier to read CAPS or not, as all of it is only words that we look at and process.

Not trying to put a bugger on anyone, but just sharing my opinion! LOL.

 

[98xjsport]

How about the ones that type like they are texting? That gets annoying fast...

 

[airenlow]

What about handwriting? I tend to write in all caps...would that bother you guys? Or is it just a computer thing?

 

[kathylove]

I also like to use caps to accentuate a word. I might say "CONGRATULATIONS!" and then add a note to it. Whenever I read a post with some or all of the words in caps, I DO read them to myself with extra emphasis, almost as if shouting. So it kind of hurts my inner ears when they are all in caps, lol!

If the post is is in "texting shorthand" or the spelling, grammar, or punctuation is really bad, I usually just skip it and I don't even bother to read it. I suppose if the subject seemed really interesting, I might be lured into reading it, but that doesn't usually happen. There is not enough time to read EVERY interesting post, so why waste my time on the ones that are difficult to decipher?

 

[Nova_C]

In my opinion, its just a perceptual thing. If I were to write in caps, you might think that I were screaming at you, but I simply might be excited, wanting everyone to "TAKE NOTICE" of my post, so I'd capitalize the title.

I think the thing that bugs me more... and it too is a perceptual thing... is when people, upon seeing caps, ALWAYS assume that the person writing is screaming at everyone. It is not always true and can usually be determined by the context of the message. Case in point, there was a person (I don't remember if it were here or on another board I frequent), who was asking for help... and happened to be using all caps. Instead of just giving him the help he wanted, folks got on his case about the caps. Post after post was "GET RID OF THE CAPS" or "YOU'RE YELLING AT ME!" All it took was one answer, and the "CAPS" were gone. LOL!

OR

What about the folks that don't space or add punctuation to their posts? THAT bothers me more because it IS more difficult to read.

I tend to write certain words or phrases in caps to ANNUNCIATE or "stress" where I do. Like if I were to tell my wife that my son, Kevin, forgot to take out the garbage, I might literally say (without yelling), "KEVIN, forgot to take out the garbage AGAIN." All in normal conversational tones, just adding stress for effect. Kinda like italicizing but not... LOL. It is much easier to capitalize than go back and italicize everything.

And really, it I don't think (IMHO) it should be harder or easier to read CAPS or not, as all of it is only words that we look at and process.

Not trying to put a bugger on anyone, but just sharing my opinion! LOL.

Well, to be fair, I can't know someone's intentions when they're writing their posts, but using caps as a way to emphasize (Enunciation is simply speaking every word clearly. certain words or phrases is a pretty well known convention. I do it myself. I'm cool with people who don't know, but the ones who are unapologetic about it grate on me.

The thing is, I'm like Kathy - when I read something in all caps, it really does seem as if they're yelling. It makes it harder to read because I can't roll through the sentences in my head without losing the subject. I read it as monotonous shouting.

I agree with the lack of punctuation making it impossible, but proper capitalization is also a visual trigger for sentence structure and is just as important, in my opinion. Writing in all caps has the same effect on me as writing with no periods or commas.

 

[Nova_C]

PS. Dagiant, if your intention is to get me to notice you've written something, then yeah, it worked. If you intention is for me to actually read what you wrote, then it didn't. I guess it all depends on what you're going after.

 

[DaGiant]

I personnaly do it for Birthday threads since its an exciting day
for someone. Caps (as stated before) acentuate certain words
and/or statements. If the caps get your attention, then it worked!
If you chose not to open it to read it then thats up to you.
MOST threads that have all caps in the title don't have all caps in
the body of the message, of course you wouldn't know if it did or
not if you don't open it.
It's all a matter of individuality and freedom of choice, just like
choosing make a berating thread on the subject instead of maybe
PM'ing someone with your opinion. Just my .02 worth......
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

 

[The_Thunderer]

(Enunciation is simply speaking every word clearly...

I read it as monotonous shouting.

Writing in all caps has the same effect on me as writing with no periods or commas.

Thanks for the correction... I just fixed it after reading Kathy's post! I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't the the word off my "tongue" before I had to leave. LOL.

I do understand as I have often had to actually READ what is being written with the caps lock on and then determine, purposefully, in what way to react. As in my previous example, just answering the question eliminated reading any more CAPS!!! LOL.

Anyway, this was FUN! LOL.

 

[Nova_C]

It's all a matter of individuality and freedom of choice, just like
choosing make a berating thread on the subject instead of maybe
PM'ing someone with your opinion. Just my .02 worth......
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

Huh? Who was I berating, and who would I PM? I wasn't talking about anyone in particular, just the trend in general. I asked people that do it to be involved to get their perspective.

 

[jenneses]

Some people who are visually challenged type in all caps, also some people with learning disabilities. It makes the letters easier to read for them.

 

[98xjsport]

I know a few ex-military type that write in all caps, but they don't transfer it to typing.