Input/Feedback Requested On Expanded “Smilie” Choices For FlyerTalk
 

As those of us who frequent other IBB’s realize, the “smilie” choices on FT are somewhat rudimentary. We’ve got the standard :), :(, ;), :D, etc. Pretty much the same choices we’ve had for years.
Other sites have a much wider choice of smilies. And some are quite obnoxious and distracting IMO. Especially the ones with motion. But I think there’s room to add a few additional smilies that may help us express ourselves more effectively.
During my campaign for TalkBoard I mentioned that I would solicit input on this issue and thus the purpose of this post.
Smilies are not solely for entertainment value. As FlyerTalk increases it’s international reach, the judicious use of smilies can cut across language barriers and promote more effective communications. :) pretty much means :) in whatever language you speak. Plus even when we all speak the same language, the written word is not nearly as expressive as the spoken word. Sometimes smilies can substitute for the inflection or gesture we might add to a spoken sentence.
Adding additional smilies to FlyerTalk will be an uphill battle so we need some solid input from members who are either pro or con on the idea.
If you have any feedback on this issue, TB would love to hear from you.
:)

I would say no. I think people have already gotten carried away with the use of colours and differents sized fonts in their posts & signatures to the point it can become distracting.

Thanks for asking though.

Take away the fonts and sizes, and you can have some more smileys.

I'm very relieved to see that we finally do get some input on these important decisions. I don't use smilies much, and I don't visit other sites, so it's hard for me to make an educated decision. To remedy that, I'd be willing to read through a report (say, 30-35 pages), but I suspect many members have less time on their hands and would thus prefer a power point. What amount of funds have been committed to thoroughly research the issue?

Appreciate the offer to help out here, jpdx. For those interested in what some of the other bulletin boards do as far as avatars, smilies and the like, you can drop by big-boards.com. It’s a list of all the major internet bulletin boards. You can click on the board name and see what the board is all about and how they handle graphics.
BTW, FlyerTalk is at position #102 in the big-boards list as of this morning.
As to the budget for this project, it’s pretty much just sweat equity. :)

I'm up for more smilies.. just simple icons.. nothing animated or bulky please.

I'm fine using the current ones. ;)

Anything big/bulky and animated would make for harder reading, and that I would not welcome.

I would appreciate some strong arguments from people who advocate the addition of more smiles.

On other websites where they have a lot more emoticons available than FT, I actually find myself distracted by them... and actually frustrated because some members choose to use them all the time.... and often.

So, I need to hear how this will enhance the basic mission of flyertalk.... I do know that emoticons can help convey a message... just concerned over the distractions.

Thanks,

William

I don't mind addtional emoticons, but please no animated emoticons. They are just annoying. As for avatars, I always suppress them on any board I read.

I'd only support more smilies if they were airline/travel related.

I've found myself needing the :sickie: smilie many times, especially when discussing the egg salad that AA offered as a lunch entree.

I've wanted the : party : icon like MSN Messenger has on many, many occasions... ;)

Let's take a trip down memory lane


http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost....&postcount=169


http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost....&postcount=172

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost....&postcount=179


So, wanted to thank Cholula for keeping his word if he was to be elected

All those are my suggestions for smilies


Why do we need more smilies, it's because they are fun. There are some people here that are set against them, they say that believe that a point can be made eloquently without the use of any graphical aid.

All I can say to you is























:p


At least bring the sick/puke smilie



Which can be used in multiple circumstances, such as

• Flight experiences
• PAX breath/smell
• Turbulence
• Airline Food
• My sister-in-law's cooking

We definitely need the puke smilie :eek:

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost....4&postcount=41

Nobody needs a “smilie” to clearly understand what Cholula posted so eloquently.

It is truly frightening how vivid the image in my mind became as I read that.

As for additional “smilies” available on FlyerTalk, I am neither for nor against this idea as long as whatever is added is not distracting, but I personally never use them in whatever I post.

The only exceptions are “post icons” used next to titles, such as the green circle with the black arrow (chiefly for the Who Will Be The Next FlyerTalk Member To Post? An OMNI Game thread, which makes it easier for me to tally points for the latest scores), the paper with the text on it (which I use when posting news), and the yellow triangle with the exclamation point — although I can see how the blue circle with the question mark can be quite useful.

For FlyerTalk, it might be useful to have such icons as an airplane, train, automobile, dining (the familiar knife, fork and plate icon), clock, ticket, bed (for hotel rooms, you perverts!), etc. to better and more quickly convey as to what the message is about. Used properly, these icons have the potential to be time-savers, especially to those who have limited time to peruse FlyerTalk.

More “symbol” icons such as those would certainly be welcomed by me.