I'm not a fan of smileys in emails. Firstly, they're lazy. Secondly, they rarely demonstrate the emotion that the writer is trying to convey.
I wouldn't usually beam at somebody with a big cheesy grin after saying "see you next week", so why would I want to write "See you next week :)"?
The Smiley Obliterator would identify a smiley in a body of text, look at the context in which it was written, and replace it with an erudite phrase. In this example, maybe something like "See you next week, my thighs are already tingling with anticipation".
And they are.-- Fishrat, Nov 13 2003 [Phundug]'s answer... http://www.halfbake...Anti-smiley_20Virus [Fishrat, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004] Smiley pop-up hell. http://www.halfbake.../www.dictionary.comThe worst of both worlds. [Fishrat, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004] Given that many systems already replace the typed smileys with little icons, what was the problem again?
Btw, if your thighs are already tingling with anticipation, you may be seeing me next week, but not if I see you first.-- DrCurry, Nov 13 2003 I would use this in outlook and on my mobile. Good Idea ;-), oh sorry I mean "I tremble with delight and admiration as if I had just watched Thierry Henry score a forty-yard curler against the scum (Man U)".-- dobtabulous, Nov 13 2003 =8-O-- PeterSilly, Nov 13 2003 (+) Oops, I hope that doesn’t offend you.-- ldischler, Nov 13 2003 I agree completely, and this idea satisfies me quite like taking the perfect Yorkshire pud out of the oven. Ideally your Obliterator could identify and replace AOL-speak also, then I might Laugh Out Loud.-- lintkeeper2, Nov 13 2003 [DrCurry]//Given that many systems already replace the typed smileys with little icons, what was the problem again?// Whether the smileys (smilies?) are typographic or iconic, they are still lazy, and often still fail to convey the writer's true meaning. That's my problem.-- Fishrat, Nov 13 2003 @..@ ..^.. '-----'-- RayfordSteele, Nov 13 2003 I dunno, I think a succinct :P conveys my meaning much more clearly than words.-- DrCurry, Nov 13 2003 I am trying to picture a fishrat with quivering thighs. I hope he doesn't get onto Rod's' nude underground - well not my train anyhow..-- po, Nov 13 2003 why has fishy needed an emoticon in his summary then?-- po, Nov 13 2003 I think they have a place. When conversing via e-mail or IM, I try to write informally, as I would speak. When speaking, I can make a sarcastic comment or poke fun at someone. I can convey the humorous intent "in-line" with tone of voice or, for greater effect, delay the conveyance of this intent by deadpan delivery followed, after a short delay, by a grin or maybe even a wink (though I'm not much of a winker).While they can be easily abused and become tiresome, I think that a creative person can apply the "smileys" judiciously to infuse "color" in to a fast paced written conversation.-- half, Nov 13 2003 //why has fishy needed an emoticon in his summary then?// If I'm honest [po], it's because I couldn't remember the word 'emoticon'. Would "EmotiGone" be a better subheading?-- Fishrat, Nov 13 2003 no leave it, I like the irony..-- po, Nov 13 2003 I might change the title to EmotiGone. I have trouble resisting buns... sorry, puns.-- Fishrat, Nov 13 2003 ..., the washingy, the cookingy and the laundery...-- silverstormer, Nov 13 2003 I prefer the new name, sorry for any confusion...-- Fishrat, Nov 14 2003 [jutta] More of a suggestion to improve emails that I receive, and to encourage proliferation of language, in the same spirit as Thesaurusoetry. I've removed the bit about how I feel about smilies. ;)-- Fishrat, Nov 14 2003 ><)))*> Just for you Fishy!! ^_^-- flamingcrackmonkey, Nov 14 2003 I was hoping you'd give me a nice <) V )>-- Fishrat, Nov 14 2003 Already did!-- flamingcrackmonkey, Nov 14 2003 random, halfbakery