Right, firstly, thank you for answering my question. Now as for the advantages and disadvantages of emoticons. I agree with those who think emoticons are poor form, lazy and generally a bad thing; too often they are used instead of a proper, considered response, or to evade any criticism of a post. I personally would be loathe to use them in any serious discussion.
However, in a jovial, frivolous thread, I feel they can serve a purpose, in that they do enable you to make it absolutely clear, in a very easy and brief manner the tone of your comment.
And anyway, whatever your opinion on emoticons surely you would rather they were done correctly, rather than in a half-arsed manner?
P.S apologies for any mistakes in grammar or spelling, I am somewhat the worse for wear. |
and the like. Not sure if they still work. Let's find out. 
