Sorry to all LIW

[TravelingGal]

Erin, I hope my post did not offend you! Like I said, it''s MY problem if I can''t handle reading the pink, not yours! I just wanted you to know that so if you ever addressed me and I didn''t read it, you didn''t think I was ignoring you because I didn''t like you or something.

I am on the computer all stinking day as I work from home, and my eyes are just cranky as it is, that''s all.

It''s no big deal if I skip over your posts...there are plenty who will read them! But I will say...I did think you were very young...eek...that does mean I''m a font judger?

 

[MissErin]

Date: 1/5/2008 6:38:03 PM
Author: TravelingGal
Erin, I hope my post did not offend you! Like I said, it''s MY problem if I can''t handle reading the pink, not yours! I just wanted you to know that so if you ever addressed me and I didn''t read it, you didn''t think I was ignoring you because I didn''t like you or something.

I am on the computer all stinking day as I work from home, and my eyes are just cranky as it is, that''s all.

It''s no big deal if I skip over your posts...there are plenty who will read them! But I will say...I did think you were very young...eek...that does mean I''m a font judger?

I have NO RIGHT to be offended so don''t feel bad. I took it to personally and it was my fault. I should have just stepped back, looked at it from your angle, and not complained like a whinny child. So now that I am aware of what you ladies feel, I have learned I need to change it. I have now learned that I act like a child with my font and as you have proven. I don''t wish to be "looked over" and so it needed to be changed. I am glad you took time to give me the heads up on how you feel vs ignoring me all together.

I just want to make it clear that I am sorry for causing a commotion about something so insignifigant. I also want to point out (that appearently the integrity of my posts could not define) that yes I am a 23 year old woman. Hopefully that helps people to see that I can be wise and not just a child with silly fonts.

Thank you again ladies for your help in this matter. It is something I appreciate greatly.

 

[diamondfan]

Some people might be sensitive when reading a colored post, but there is no real way of knowing who reads and who skips a post, and for what reason, unless they tell you. You cannot please everyone all the time, but if you felt this change is for the better, go for it! I did not mind the pink, and I did read your posts! Your age did not occur to me, and I digest what the words are, but I guess for some people the color was off putting or led to conclusions...do not sweat it to much!!

Fontial profiling at PS! Pretty funny...

 

[Smurfysmiles]

As a graphics major I have studied the internet a lot, particularly fonts. It has actually been proven by many different people that if you use certain fonts and sizes and "loud" colors on a webpage that people will automatically push their back button. The same can be said for forums. Certain colors such as teal, perhaps, and fonts such as Arial (the most accepted font worldwide) are preferred to others as they let readers concentrate on the material and not what is hitting them in the face.


From Website Do''s and Don''ts
3. Don''t Give Your Customers A Headache.
There are 256 colors available for site design. 216 of those
are browser ''safe.'' Just because there are an abundance of
colors does not mean that they all should be used at once.
Warm colors shouldn''t be used with cool colors because of the
conflicting hues. Meanwhile, bright colors make the eyes work
harder to focus and after a few minutes will likely give your
viewers a headache.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 1/5/2008 6:54:11 PM
Author: diamondfan
Some people might be sensitive when reading a colored post, but there is no real way of knowing who reads and who skips a post, and for what reason, unless they tell you. You cannot please everyone all the time, but if you felt this change is for the better, go for it! I did not mind the pink, and I did read your posts! Your age did not occur to me, and I digest what the words are, but I guess for some people the color was off putting or led to conclusions...do not sweat it to much!!

Fontial profiling at PS! Pretty funny...

It''s horrible. What is this world coming to....

I grammatial profile too...which is so unfair because TGuy is not a great speller...but one of the more intelligent people that I know.

 

[MissErin]

Date: 1/5/2008 6:54:11 PM
Author: diamondfan
Some people might be sensitive when reading a colored post, but there is no real way of knowing who reads and who skips a post, and for what reason, unless they tell you. You cannot please everyone all the time, but if you felt this change is for the better, go for it! I did not mind the pink, and I did read your posts! Your age did not occur to me, and I digest what the words are, but I guess for some people the color was off putting or led to conclusions...do not sweat it to much!!

Fontial profiling at PS! Pretty funny...

Thank you for your advice with this matter. I fully agree that it is IMPOSSIBLE to please everyone but no one seems to complain about those who use the default font so it''s better off that I do so. Thank you for the support you have shown with what you wrote. I agree with you on many levels, especially when it comes to the age concept. I don''t know how someone can decide a maturity level based on font alone - rather then content... But if it is so, then I am here to dispell what was judged of me.

I also wanted to change my icon so it did not lead to more immature conclusions of who I am and what I may know.

Hopefully this will settle what needs to be settled and people will hear my voice, in some cases, for the first time.

Thank you again for replying to this - Every bit of wisdom helps.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 1/5/2008 6:56:51 PM
Author: Smurfysmiles
As a graphics major I have studied the internet a lot, particularly fonts. It has actually been proven by many different people that if you use certain fonts and sizes and ''loud'' colors on a webpage that people will automatically push their back button. The same can be said for forums. Certain colors such as teal, perhaps, and fonts such as Arial (the most accepted font worldwide) are preferred to others as they let readers concentrate on the material and not what is hitting them in the face.


From Website Do''s and Don''ts
3. Don''t Give Your Customers A Headache.
There are 256 colors available for site design. 216 of those
are browser ''safe.'' Just because there are an abundance of
colors does not mean that they all should be used at once.
Warm colors shouldn''t be used with cool colors because of the
conflicting hues. Meanwhile, bright colors make the eyes work
harder to focus and after a few minutes will likely give your
viewers a headache.

This is so true! Several years ago, we decided to start a newsletter to our business channel. Knowing that people tend not to read their mail, I printed the newsletter on hot pink paper with all sorts of fonts...readable, but not exactly reader friendly. We had so many people call us asking "WTF?" it was hilarious. The next edition was on white people with times new roman. It ended up being a widely read and much anticipated newsletter, since we always made it fun to read (content wise, not font wise!) But we certainly got their attention with the first edition!

 

[MissErin]

Date: 1/5/2008 6:56:51 PM
Author: Smurfysmiles
As a graphics major I have studied the internet a lot, particularly fonts. It has actually been proven by many different people that if you use certain fonts and sizes and ''loud'' colors on a webpage that people will automatically push their back button. The same can be said for forums. Certain colors such as teal, perhaps, and fonts such as Arial (the most accepted font worldwide) are preferred to others as they let readers concentrate on the material and not what is hitting them in the face.


From Website Do''s and Don''ts
3. Don''t Give Your Customers A Headache.
There are 256 colors available for site design. 216 of those
are browser ''safe.'' Just because there are an abundance of
colors does not mean that they all should be used at once.
Warm colors shouldn''t be used with cool colors because of the
conflicting hues. Meanwhile, bright colors make the eyes work
harder to focus and after a few minutes will likely give your
viewers a headache.

This is VERY enriching information to digest!! Thank you for the knowledge I would only be able to obtain from someone who really does understand the concept. Wonderful knowledge indeed.

 

[TravelingGal]

Erin, to be honest, it wasn''t font alone...it was a combination of font and enthusiastic tone. I guess I associate older age with crankiness.

And for the record, I still consider you young...just not VERY young. Hell, I still consider MYSELF young, whether I am being dellusional or not!!!

 

[MissErin]

Date: 1/5/2008 7:06:00 PM
Author: TravelingGal
Erin, to be honest, it wasn''t font alone...it was a combination of font and enthusiastic tone. I guess I associate older age with crankiness.

And for the record, I still consider you young...just not VERY young. Hell, I still consider MYSELF young, whether I am being dellusional or not!!!

Why would an enthusiastic tone denote age?? I have met quite a few people in my short life that are enthusiastic. But if that is the case, that I am judged based on my enthusiastic tone, then I will tone it down to mild/low. I am really learning a lot about myself here and I thank you yet again for your feedback. It is helping me take it down a notch to fit in better with this crowd.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 1/5/2008 7:20:02 PM
Author: MissErin

Date: 1/5/2008 7:06:00 PM
Author: TravelingGal
Erin, to be honest, it wasn''t font alone...it was a combination of font and enthusiastic tone. I guess I associate older age with crankiness.

And for the record, I still consider you young...just not VERY young. Hell, I still consider MYSELF young, whether I am being dellusional or not!!!

Why would an enthusiastic tone denote age?? I have met quite a few people in my short life that are enthusiastic. But if that is the case, that I am judged based on my enthusiastic tone, then I will tone it down to mild/low. I am really learning a lot about myself here and I thank you yet again for your feedback. It is helping me take it down a notch to fit in better with this crowd.

Erin, as people said, you can''t please everyone. And I did not mean for you to tone anything down! I don''t think there is anything wrong with being enthusiastic...in fact, it is a good thing! I was just trying to explain that it was not your font alone that made me think you were young.

But all this people pleasing IS starting to annoy me, so for goodness sake woman, just be yourself!!!

 

[musey]

Date: 1/5/2008 7:20:02 PM
Author: MissErin

Why would an enthusiastic tone denote age?? I have met quite a few people in my short life that are enthusiastic. But if that is the case, that I am judged based on my enthusiastic tone, then I will tone it down to mild/low. I am really learning a lot about myself here and I thank you yet again for your feedback. It is helping me take it down a notch to fit in better with this crowd.

No no no! Be yourself! This forum does not discriminate against certain personality types

(I don't think that that's what TGal was saying, at aLL). You'll fit in just fine by being your cute self.

ETA: We definitely lean towards cynical snark around these parts, so I understand if you feel like a minority - but that's not a bad thing. It takes ALL kinds to make PS what it is.

 

[MissErin]

Ok. I understand. Thanks for the tips and advice.

 

[Kaleigh]

I can see if the font is too small, I'd say hey any chance you can make it bigger so I can read it?? Meaning I like to read what you have to say, so if it's a little bigger I can do so. But asking you to change the color of your font??? It's your creative flair, your signature... What's next asking someone to change their avatar because it's distracting?? Just kidding here

, but seriously there are more important things to focus on than the color of one's font. But perhaps I am in the minority??

 

[MissErin]

Date: 1/5/2008 7:57:09 PM
Author: Kaleigh
I can see if the font is too small, I'd say hey any chance you can make it bigger so I can read it?? Meaning I like to read what you have to say, so if it's a little bigger I can do so. But asking you to change the color of your font??? It's your creative flair, your signature... What's next asking someone to change their avatar because it's distracting?? Just kiddding here

, but seriously there are more important things to focus on than the color of one's font. But perhaps I am in the minority??

Yeah - you and I are in the minority and that is ok with me. It's better off in the end to change things to help others since like I said earlier, no one complains about the default font. I really appreciate you coming to my aide in this but I think the debate is over. I plan on sticking with this to keep people reading my posts and to stop hurting peoples eyes. It's not a big deal - it's just different then what I have been in the past.

P.S. And as for your avatar comment - I actually did change mine to help prevent the stereotype little girl feelings. At least with this new avatar I can keep the pink but also present a 23 year old demenor.

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 1/5/2008 7:57:09 PM
Author: Kaleigh
I can see if the font is too small, I''d say hey any chance you can make it bigger so I can read it?? Meaning I like to read what you have to say, so if it''s a little bigger I can do so. But asking you to change the color of your font??? It''s your creative flair, your signature... What''s next asking someone to change their avatar because it''s distracting?? Just kiddding here

, but seriously there are more important things to focus on than the color of one''s font. But perhaps I am in the minority??

Kaleigh, using a harshly colored font that hurts the eyes for one''s entire post, each and every time, is indeed an issue IF the poster hopes that people are going to read/respond to their posts. People have clearly said that they do indeed skip over posts that hurt their eyes...I know for me, I never read Erin''s posts because they just plain hurt my eyes. If it was me, I''d like to know that - then I can make a decision on whether or not I want people to read my posts or not and if I can change something simple and make my posts more readable, then it''s my decision to do so. Or not. That said, rarely is just one person thinking something on PS, especially on a forum with so many people.
And yes, I also do find quite a few avatars incredibly annoying on the eyes as well! All that blinking and what not is also quited hard on the eyes. And dont even get me started on those freaking emoticons! What can I say? I''m apparently an anti-fontite, and an anti-emoticonite, an anti- poor grammarite, as well as an anti-distracting avatarite! Maybe I need an intervention?!

Seriously though, I think smurfysmile''s post is really dead on. As someone with an arts background, I too always notice use or mis-use of color, graphics, etc. Whether it''s in ones posts, avatars or a website, it does make a big difference on whether or not people want to read that site, post, whatever. To take it a step further, screen names and avatars also contribute to how one is perceived and received, like it or not. I think that''s human nature though. There was someone recently who had "princess something or other" in her screen name and whose posts were bordering on being in need of psychiatric intervention...IIRC, I think quite a few people mentioned that her screen name alone contributed to their immediately thinking "huh? So you think you''re a princess as well? Well that could be your problem..." So everything one presents on a website forum represents who they are to some extent - color, font, avatars, emoticons (bah!), etc. Whether intentional or not, I think that''s one of the oddities of internet communication. Just my two cents though...

 

[MissErin]

Date: 1/5/2008 8:15:42 PM
Author: surfgirl

Date: 1/5/2008 7:57:09 PM
Author: Kaleigh
I can see if the font is too small, I''d say hey any chance you can make it bigger so I can read it?? Meaning I like to read what you have to say, so if it''s a little bigger I can do so. But asking you to change the color of your font??? It''s your creative flair, your signature... What''s next asking someone to change their avatar because it''s distracting?? Just kiddding here

, but seriously there are more important things to focus on than the color of one''s font. But perhaps I am in the minority??

Kaleigh, using a harshly colored font that hurts the eyes for one''s entire post, each and every time, is indeed an issue IF the poster hopes that people are going to read/respond to their posts. People have clearly said that they do indeed skip over posts that hurt their eyes...I know for me, I never read Erin''s posts because they just plain hurt my eyes. If it was me, I''d like to know that - then I can make a decision on whether or not I want people to read my posts or not and if I can change something simple and make my posts more readable, then it''s my decision to do so. Or not. That said, rarely is just one person thinking something on PS, especially on a forum with so many people.
And yes, I also do find quite a few avatars incredibly annoying on the eyes as well! All that blinking and what not is also quited hard on the eyes. And dont even get me started on those freaking emoticons! What can I say? I''m apparently an anti-fontite, and an anti-emoticonite, an anti- poor grammarite, as well as an anti-distracting avatarite! Maybe I need an intervention?!

Seriously though, I think smurfysmile''s post is really dead on. As someone with an arts background, I too always notice use or mis-use of color, graphics, etc. Whether it''s in ones posts, avatars or a website, it does make a big difference on whether or not people want to read that site, post, whatever. To take it a step further, screen names and avatars also contribute to how one is perceived and received, like it or not. I think that''s human nature though. There was someone recently who had ''princess something or other'' in her screen name and whose posts were bordering on being in need of psychiatric intervention...IIRC, I think quite a few people mentioned that her screen name alone contributed to their immediately thinking ''huh? So you think you''re a princess as well? Well that could be your problem...'' So everything one presents on a website forum represents who they are to some extent - color, font, avatars, emoticons (bah!), etc. Whether intentional or not, I think that''s one of the oddities of internet communication. Just my two cents though...

Well why not break this mold?? Why fall victim to judging others. In this case, I can see why you felt she was not stable and the screen name could attribute to it... But I had an avatar for a while that said "Princess In Waiting" to which I thought was a clever way to change the LIW name. It wasn''t that I believe myself to be a princess, but just that it was something different. I just think that we should be more aware of getting to know someone before judging their fonts, colors, avatars, or smilies. I agree with your point about my font being hard to read due to the color and changed it because you made me aware of it. That was simple and I don''t mind doing so. But lets start something important here and not judge based on whether someone has "princess" in their screen name or avatar. Let''s get to know them as you would anywhere else.

 

[Independent Gal]

I confess I also found myself skimming the pink font sometimes... even though I love pink too! But indeed Miss Erin, it is (almost) always best in life to just be yourself.

 

[mimzy]

Thanks for changing your font erin - i''m in the camp that will start reading your posts now

Of course no one is going to endorse judging people based on things like font color and avatars - BUT the fact is that on an online forum we have so little to go on. When we respond to a post we have to wrap our minds around everything that we can gather about the person in order to address them in the most productive way. and people choose things like font color and avatars that they feel represent them - you did this yourself with the bright pink. So i don''t really think that trying to conclude basic things about a person from these things has no merit.

 

[MissErin]

Date: 1/5/2008 8:45:35 PM
Author: mimzy
Thanks for changing your font erin - i''m in the camp that will start reading your posts now

Of course no one is going to endorse judging people based on things like font color and avatars - BUT the fact is that on an online forum we have so little to go on. When we respond to a post we have to wrap our minds around everything that we can gather about the person in order to address them in the most productive way. and people choose things like font color and avatars that they feel represent them - you did this yourself with the bright pink. So i don''t really think that trying to conclude basic things about a person from these things has no merit.

While I understand what you are saying, I still can not agree. I think because this is an online forum we should be even LESS judgemental. Why not ask about the person or read others posting rather then just assume?? It may take a little more time and consideration, but I think in the long run it is better for EVERYONE.

On another note... I am actually a bit depressed that people truly skipped my postings because of the color. I understand your reasoning but I do try to put thought into each post, especially those requesting advice, and to know they are just disreguarded does hurt a bit. I guess it dosen''t matter now... People who didn''t like it will have written me off, and those who did we keep reading. It''s just a shame in general.

 

[Independent Gal]

Don't be depressed, Miss Erin! We are not skipping your posts because we have anything against pink. Why, I'm wearing a pair of pink pj's right now! And lovin' it. In my case at least, it's just laziness. When something's hard on the ol' eyes, sometimes you skim instead of putting in the extra effort and concentration to make out the words. I'm sure you do put a lot of thought and heart into each post, and lots and lots of people have been reading, appreciating, and responding to your posts. But no one on here reads EVERY post. In fact, it's been weeks since I popped into, e.g., the coloured stones thread. But I hope the ladies who post there aren't depressed because I haven't been reading their posts! They are still getting read. Just not by me. And only because I'm too lazy / busy to read ALL the boards encyclopedically.

So don't be depressed about it. Pink has its place. It's a great colour. It just happens to be tough on us squinty old folks' eyes sometimes.

 

[MissErin]

Date: 1/5/2008 10:10:14 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Don''t be depressed, Miss Erin! We are not skipping your posts because we have anything against pink. Why, I''m wearing a pair of pink pj''s right now! And lovin'' it. In my case at least, it''s just laziness. When something''s hard on the ol'' eyes, sometimes you skim instead of putting in the extra effort and concentration to make out the words. I''m sure you do put a lot of thought and heart into each post, and lots and lots of people have been reading, appreciating, and responding to your posts. But no one on here reads EVERY post. In fact, it''s been weeks since I popped into, e.g., the coloured stones thread. But I hope the ladies who post there aren''t depressed because I haven''t been reading their posts! They are still getting read. Just not by me. And only because I''m too lazy / busy to read ALL the boards encyclopedically.

So don''t be depressed about it. Pink has its place. It''s a great colour. It just happens to be hard tough on us squinty old folks'' eyes sometimes.

Your words are very kind and have lifted my spirits. I think being sick with a cold is attibuting to my "hurt feelings". And you are correct - no one reads EVERY single post so I really shouldn''t think anything of it. I was just surprised to hear it from so many I think. So thank you, truly, for writing this and helping me see it''s not against me - it''s just against my font. This I''m sure will be silly tomorrow or a few days from now but your words have really helped for right now.

 

[iheartscience]

Aww, don''t take it so personally MissErin! Although I still read your posts, I confess that the pink did hurt my eyes a little...and I have good eyesight! The old ladies like surfgirl and TGal with bad eyes must have been having an even harder time!

Can I also confess that the pink made me think of you as "younger" also? However, your posts have always sounded intelligent and mature, so I definitely didn''t look down on you for it. I think that since we don''t get to see each other face to face and make our usual judgements (and I''m not talking bad judgements, either-even just judgements like age, accents, etc.) based on each others'' appearances and voices, we infer quite a bit from avatars, names, etc. I know I do!

Sometimes I even have a real picture in my mind of what certain posters look like in real life when I haven''t even seen a photo. And sometimes I''m right if the person ends up posting a picture of themselves!

Anywho, I''m in a rambling mood since I just wrote two papers for my stupid intersession class. But the thesis of this post is: don''t take it personally-I''ll read your posts no matter what color they are!

 

[princesss]

Date: 1/5/2008 8:31:18 PM
Author: MissErin

Date: 1/5/2008 8:15:42 PM

Author: surfgirl

Date: 1/5/2008 7:57:09 PM

Author: Kaleigh

I can see if the font is too small, I''d say hey any chance you can make it bigger so I can read it?? Meaning I like to read what you have to say, so if it''s a little bigger I can do so. But asking you to change the color of your font??? It''s your creative flair, your signature... What''s next asking someone to change their avatar because it''s distracting?? Just kiddding here

, but seriously there are more important things to focus on than the color of one''s font. But perhaps I am in the minority??

Kaleigh, using a harshly colored font that hurts the eyes for one''s entire post, each and every time, is indeed an issue IF the poster hopes that people are going to read/respond to their posts. People have clearly said that they do indeed skip over posts that hurt their eyes...I know for me, I never read Erin''s posts because they just plain hurt my eyes. If it was me, I''d like to know that - then I can make a decision on whether or not I want people to read my posts or not and if I can change something simple and make my posts more readable, then it''s my decision to do so. Or not. That said, rarely is just one person thinking something on PS, especially on a forum with so many people.

And yes, I also do find quite a few avatars incredibly annoying on the eyes as well! All that blinking and what not is also quited hard on the eyes. And dont even get me started on those freaking emoticons! What can I say? I''m apparently an anti-fontite, and an anti-emoticonite, an anti- poor grammarite, as well as an anti-distracting avatarite! Maybe I need an intervention?!


Seriously though, I think smurfysmile''s post is really dead on. As someone with an arts background, I too always notice use or mis-use of color, graphics, etc. Whether it''s in ones posts, avatars or a website, it does make a big difference on whether or not people want to read that site, post, whatever. To take it a step further, screen names and avatars also contribute to how one is perceived and received, like it or not. I think that''s human nature though. There was someone recently who had ''princess something or other'' in her screen name and whose posts were bordering on being in need of psychiatric intervention...IIRC, I think quite a few people mentioned that her screen name alone contributed to their immediately thinking ''huh? So you think you''re a princess as well? Well that could be your problem...'' So everything one presents on a website forum represents who they are to some extent - color, font, avatars, emoticons (bah!), etc. Whether intentional or not, I think that''s one of the oddities of internet communication. Just my two cents though...

Well why not break this mold?? Why fall victim to judging others. In this case, I can see why you felt she was not stable and the screen name could attribute to it... But I had an avatar for a while that said ''Princess In Waiting'' to which I thought was a clever way to change the LIW name. It wasn''t that I believe myself to be a princess, but just that it was something different. I just think that we should be more aware of getting to know someone before judging their fonts, colors, avatars, or smilies. I agree with your point about my font being hard to read due to the color and changed it because you made me aware of it. That was simple and I don''t mind doing so. But lets start something important here and not judge based on whether someone has ''princess'' in their screen name or avatar. Let''s get to know them as you would anywhere else.

MissErin, you''re a sweet person. You really are, and over the past month I''ve enjoyed reading many of your posts. But you''re putting a lot of weight on the opinions of people who don''t know you. People are going to make judgments about every poster on here based on any number of things; I understand going a little out of your way to smooth things over, but I can''t understand how you would allow yourself to do something you seem to view as compromising your personality.

Look, bottom line is that you need to do what makes you happy. Sometimes PS requires a thick skin. Other times it''s a sunshiney place with sparkles and love. What I''m trying to say (and apparently not very well) is that you can keep the enthusiasm without the pink. That''s you. Enthusiasm is good on this board. Don''t tone down your personality for us. By changing your font you just made it easier for people to get to know the excited, enthusiastic person that you clearly are. I mean, heck, with all this "princess" stuff being thrown around, look at my screen name! I''ll bet that people have judged me because of it, and I really couldn''t give a rat''s patoot. Please, don''t waste any more time being upset over what people that don''t know you think, and look at this as a way for more people to realize how sweet you are.

 

[MissErin]

Date: 1/5/2008 10:29:45 PM
Author: thing2of2
Aww, don''t take it so personally MissErin! Although I still read your posts, I confess that the pink did hurt my eyes a little...and I have good eyesight! The old ladies like surfgirl and TGal with bad eyes must have been having an even harder time!

Can I also confess that the pink made me think of you as ''younger'' also? However, your posts have always sounded intelligent and mature, so I definitely didn''t look down on you for it. I think that since we don''t get to see each other face to face and make our usual judgements (and I''m not talking bad judgements, either-even just judgements like age, accents, etc.) based on each others'' appearances and voices, we infer quite a bit from avatars, names, etc. I know I do!

Sometimes I even have a real picture in my mind of what certain posters look like in real life when I haven''t even seen a photo. And sometimes I''m right if the person ends up posting a picture of themselves!

Anywho, I''m in a rambling mood since I just wrote two papers for my stupid intersession class. But the thesis of this post is: don''t take it personally-I''ll read your posts no matter what color they are!

That was heartwarming and you were not rambling!!

The more I hear feedback, the more I am feeling better about the initial suggestion from Surfgirl. It''s hard to hear what you think is perfect is quite the opposite for others BUT it is always good to hear the truth. I had NO idea it was affecting this many people and I am glad I did find out. I won''t take it personally anymore - it would be childish for me to do so and I am all about getting away from that trait. As far as you thinking I was younger, I don''t blame you or the others. It is human nature to assume certain things and this was an absolute in the long run. I guess I lose sight of it simply because 1) I am a disney fanatic which sometimes comes across at immature 2) I used to be a preschool teacher so acting foolish here and there is in my blood 3) I can be overly expressive which can iritate people. Luckily I am over it and just happy to know you girls were generous enough to tell me the truth. Otherwise I''m be in the pink dark about it.

Thank you so much for adding to this and helping me overall.

 

[MissErin]

Date: 1/5/2008 10:31:32 PM
Author: princesss

Date: 1/5/2008 8:31:18 PM
Author: MissErin

Date: 1/5/2008 8:15:42 PM

Author: surfgirl

Date: 1/5/2008 7:57:09 PM

Author: Kaleigh

I can see if the font is too small, I''d say hey any chance you can make it bigger so I can read it?? Meaning I like to read what you have to say, so if it''s a little bigger I can do so. But asking you to change the color of your font??? It''s your creative flair, your signature... What''s next asking someone to change their avatar because it''s distracting?? Just kiddding here

, but seriously there are more important things to focus on than the color of one''s font. But perhaps I am in the minority??

Kaleigh, using a harshly colored font that hurts the eyes for one''s entire post, each and every time, is indeed an issue IF the poster hopes that people are going to read/respond to their posts. People have clearly said that they do indeed skip over posts that hurt their eyes...I know for me, I never read Erin''s posts because they just plain hurt my eyes. If it was me, I''d like to know that - then I can make a decision on whether or not I want people to read my posts or not and if I can change something simple and make my posts more readable, then it''s my decision to do so. Or not. That said, rarely is just one person thinking something on PS, especially on a forum with so many people.

And yes, I also do find quite a few avatars incredibly annoying on the eyes as well! All that blinking and what not is also quited hard on the eyes. And dont even get me started on those freaking emoticons! What can I say? I''m apparently an anti-fontite, and an anti-emoticonite, an anti- poor grammarite, as well as an anti-distracting avatarite! Maybe I need an intervention?!


Seriously though, I think smurfysmile''s post is really dead on. As someone with an arts background, I too always notice use or mis-use of color, graphics, etc. Whether it''s in ones posts, avatars or a website, it does make a big difference on whether or not people want to read that site, post, whatever. To take it a step further, screen names and avatars also contribute to how one is perceived and received, like it or not. I think that''s human nature though. There was someone recently who had ''princess something or other'' in her screen name and whose posts were bordering on being in need of psychiatric intervention...IIRC, I think quite a few people mentioned that her screen name alone contributed to their immediately thinking ''huh? So you think you''re a princess as well? Well that could be your problem...'' So everything one presents on a website forum represents who they are to some extent - color, font, avatars, emoticons (bah!), etc. Whether intentional or not, I think that''s one of the oddities of internet communication. Just my two cents though...

Well why not break this mold?? Why fall victim to judging others. In this case, I can see why you felt she was not stable and the screen name could attribute to it... But I had an avatar for a while that said ''Princess In Waiting'' to which I thought was a clever way to change the LIW name. It wasn''t that I believe myself to be a princess, but just that it was something different. I just think that we should be more aware of getting to know someone before judging their fonts, colors, avatars, or smilies. I agree with your point about my font being hard to read due to the color and changed it because you made me aware of it. That was simple and I don''t mind doing so. But lets start something important here and not judge based on whether someone has ''princess'' in their screen name or avatar. Let''s get to know them as you would anywhere else.

MissErin, you''re a sweet person. You really are, and over the past month I''ve enjoyed reading many of your posts. But you''re putting a lot of weight on the opinions of people who don''t know you. People are going to make judgments about every poster on here based on any number of things; I understand going a little out of your way to smooth things over, but I can''t understand how you would allow yourself to do something you seem to view as compromising your personality.

Look, bottom line is that you need to do what makes you happy. Sometimes PS requires a thick skin. Other times it''s a sunshiney place with sparkles and love. What I''m trying to say (and apparently not very well) is that you can keep the enthusiasm without the pink. That''s you. Enthusiasm is good on this board. Don''t tone down your personality for us. By changing your font you just made it easier for people to get to know the excited, enthusiastic person that you clearly are. I mean, heck, with all this ''princess'' stuff being thrown around, look at my screen name! I''ll bet that people have judged me because of it, and I really couldn''t give a rat''s patoot. Please, don''t waste any more time being upset over what people that don''t know you think, and look at this as a way for more people to realize how sweet you are.

You''re right and I can thank you enough for taking the time out to really explain things to me. It''s a blessing to have so many women on her that are willing to be honest. I can be overly emotional and take things to heart a little too much. I realize I can continue being Erin without the pink. And by doing so I will gain MUCH more respect and admiration from others. I guess I can be a little too sweet sometimes and blow things way out of the water. It''s something I intend on working on.

And as you said, maybe people will get to know me more because of this change I am willing to make. Either way it turns out positive because it''s a learning experiece. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking time out to let me know how you feel.

I am very lucky to be a part of this.

 

[diamondfan]

Hey, I say, love me, love my fonts! Just joshing a bit.

BUT I will say, though I cannot figure out how to, I do like, sometimes, seeing something new and fresh. It makes a post easier to pick out of a large thread...and some of the avatars are fabulous, though some can induce an epileptic seizure if you watch them too often. I recall one I loved of Linda Carter turning into Wonderwoman, and it was amazing! I really liked seeing her spin around and become a superhero! And some of the emoticons are cute, though too much can be a bit much if you know what I mean. I happen to be bad with changing things, no ability, so I set the big ole smiley face and left it at that. But it is a pleasant visual break to see some different things, breaks up the monotony. I also think Princess can be a cute thing, it is one of my nicknames in real life, and I am 42. I love pink, I love Hello Kitty, I do have a bit of a youthful side, which I embrace as I do not look 42. Now, I might not post in pink here and use tons of doodads (sour grapes maybe since I cannot figure HOW to!!!) If people, based on the little they get from here, make those assumptions, there is not much you can do. Just be you, and it all will work out in the end. I think it is human nature to take various factors and come up with a whole, but it is also nice to look beyond those assumptions and give the benefit of the doubt. Of course no one has to do anything, really, in life or on the web...and I am sure there have been plain font left aligned non colored posts that make some eyebrows raise too...so please, know that many people I am sure have read and appreciated and benefited from your words, and do not worry about those who do not...it is their loss, or their choice, and life will go on in any case.

 

[FrekeChild]

I for one am going to miss the pink posts. I have to tell you that I would scan over most with the default font and stop when I saw pink.

I''m sure people have judged me by my name: FrekeChild. Most men think I''m a wh*re and most women think I''m a little kid. Honestly, I''ve had the nickname (and used it as an online personality) for going on eleven years. And I don''t give a shiz what people think about me because of it. It''s actually been kind of nice to have such a random name because I can easily surprise people when they find out more about me-especially when I''m not a child. Or an internet **** star. They also don''t think I can spell-which is far from being the case. But FreakChild was not an option when I was looking for it.

I think it''s not good to change yourself to please other people. I know that it''s been awkward myself because I''m a noob and have been doing my best to not offend people on this board, because I am brutally honest most of the time, and what comes out of my mouth (and fingers) is not what people want to hear. I am also as bad as a sailor-and THAT has been really REALLY hard to contain. I always go back and reread what I''ve written to make sure I haven''t let out some random profanity. Although in my real world, they aren''t so random, and more every other word. Heh.

Please don''t change yourself to please other people Erin. If you really feel to need to change your font, perhaps you could leave the size and style the same, but change the color to a dark purple or something, so it doesn''t hurt these old people''s eyes. Then I''ll still skip over everyone else''s and still manage to spot yours.

Don''t sweat the small stuff, it''s just an online identity.

 

[TravelingGal]

OK, bottom line....

If someone doesn''t like your font, they don''t have to read it. As Kaleigh says, where do you draw the line? It doesn''t take very long to scroll past any offenders.

If they don''t read your posts, don''t take it personally...lots of other people are reading them, and the ones who aren''t, why are they so important anyway? You don''t even know these people.

And whether one thinks readers should be less judgmental or not, the fact is that they are...so don''t let it get under your skin. It''s an online forum and it is what it is, and what that is is different things to different people (there are way too many is''s in that sentence). Some people obviously are sweeter than others. Some are a lot more sour. All add flavor to the the pot.

 

[FrekeChild]

TGal- Are you familiar with this quote:

"It depends on what the definition of is...is."

Makes me and the bf laugh hysterically and your post reminded me of it.