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People often have to type SMS messages with their thumbs on a tiny keyboard, while riding on a subway, being bumped by fellow passengers. Sometimes they have to pay by the character! Therefore, in an SMS, it's somewhat acceptable "4 u 2 wrt lk ths" (for you to write like this.) I have seen “tks” and “btw” instead of “thanks” and “between”. They can cause confusion even to users who use Google translate because Google Translate wouldn't translate them like that.

But if you're posting on JavaRanch, you're probably using a real keyboard, sitting at a desk, in a comfortable chair. We don't charge by the character, and in fact, we strongly encourage you to use all the characters you need to express yourself clearly. Using abbreviations like "u" and "r" and "2" for "you", "are", and "too" makes your writing much harder to understand, especially for the many Ranchers for whom English isn't their native language. It also suggests that you don't care enough to ShowSomeEffort when presenting your question.

Likewise, calling the many adult Ranchers "d00dz" is not going to win them over to your cause; in fact, using that sort of horrid "h4x0r353" is likely to drive many people away -- people who likely would have been able to help you.

Please take the time to write out words in full, to check your spelling, and keep your language standard. If you use abbreviations please explain them all when they are first used, for example:-

This Java Language Specification (JLS) section says that . . . The JLS can be difficult to read.

The atmosphere of the Ranch will benefit, but more importantly, you will benefit because doing so will lead to your questions getting better answers.

"Plz" is not a word in the English language.

Also take a look on our other tips on HowToAskQuestionsOnJavaRanch!


See also

  • http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html#writewell

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