Emoticons in the Chatbox

[Lenny]

Rather than let this drown in another thread, I'm making a brand new one, with a poll and everything!

It's not uncommon that you'll see people using ":D", or "=D" or even "D:" in the Chatbox. It breaks my little birdy heart to see emoticons being typed, but left in text form. And so, I ask this - would it be possible to use emoticon images in the chatbox, and if so, who would like it?

Now, I've been doing a bit of measuring, and I've found that each line in the Chatbox is 10 pixels high, whilst the forum emoticons are 15 pixels high. If those are used, I believe it will force the line higher, leaving blank space to either side of itself.

So, I opened up Fireworks, and I set to work making my own 10px by 10px emoticons, based on the default ones that show up next to the post box when replying/making a new thread (old, mine, description):

If these look too... strange, then I'll happily redo them to other specifications. The ones below were quick thirty second jobbies. Haven't turned out too badly, actually.

:) --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/smiley-face.png = smile
;) --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/wink-face.png = wink
:killgrin: --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/kill-grin.png = kill-grin
:D --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/smiley-face-grin.png = big-grin
:( --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/sad-face.png = sad
:mad: --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/angry-face.png = angry
:eek: --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/eek-face.png = shocked
:weird: --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/buh-face.png = weird
:p --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/stick-out-tongue.png = amused
:rolleyes: --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/rolleyes-face.png = rolleyes

Also (picture, description):

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/question-mark.png = question mark
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/exclamation-mark.png = exclamation mark
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/english-flag.png = english flag
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/swedish-flag.png = swedish flag
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/american-flag.png = american flag

---

The poll options speak for themselves. I've added two variations of "Yes" (w/ old emoticons and w/ new emoticons) because some people might not care about the lines being forced higher. If there's a more or less equal number of votes for the two "Yes" options, then would it be possible to make the option with more votes the default (i.e., the emoticon that pops up when you type in the text equivalent), with maybe a drop down box next to the post textbox with them all in?

EDIT: If people want to look at bigger versions, please ask, and I'll put together a sheet of them all at three or four times the size.

[Randuin]

Rather than let this drown in another thread, I'm making a brand new one, with a poll and everything!

It's not uncommon that you'll see people using ":D", or "=D" or even "D:" in the Chatbox. It breaks my little birdy heart to see emoticons being typed, but left in text form. And so, I ask this - would it be possible to use emoticon images in the chatbox, and if so, who would like it?

Now, I've been doing a bit of measuring, and I've found that each line in the Chatbox is 10 pixels high, whilst the forum emoticons are 15 pixels high. If those are used, I believe it will force the line higher, leaving blank space to either side of itself.

So, I opened up Fireworks, and I set to work making my own 10px by 10px emoticons, based on the default ones that show up next to the post box when replying/making a new thread (old, mine, description):

:) --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/smiley-face.png = smile
;) --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/wink-face.png = wink
:killgrin: --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/kill-grin.png = kill-grin
:D --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/smiley-face-grin.png = big-grin
:( --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/sad-face.png = sad
:mad: --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/angry-face.png = angry
:eek: --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/eek-face.png = shocked
:weird: --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/buh-face.png = weird
:p --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/stick-out-tongue.png = amused
:rolleyes: --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/rolleyes-face.png = rolleyes

Also (picture, description):

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/question-mark.png = question mark
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/exclamation-mark.png = exclamation mark
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/english-flag.png = english flag
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/swedish-flag.png = swedish flag
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/american-flag.png = american flag

---

The poll options speak for themselves. I've added two variations of "Yes" (w/ old emoticons and w/ new emoticons) because some people might not care about the lines being forced higher. If there's a more or less equal number of votes for the two "Yes" options, then would it be possible to make the option with more votes the default (i.e., the emoticon that pops up when you type in the text equivalent), with maybe a drop down box next to the post textbox with them all in?

EDIT: If people want to look at bigger versions, please ask, and I'll put together a sheet of them all at three or four times the size.

Um... No

[Lenny]

None at all? Why not?

[WetWired]

The line size is variable, and IRC -- I mean chatbox -- emoticons are retarded.

[Randuin]

The line size is variable, and IRC -- I mean chatbox -- emoticons are retarded.

Yeah pretty much

[HandOfHeaven]

Sorry Len Len...

[D3V]

I like them, i'm down for them. If any, i'd want the ones you suggested implemented. And there is nothing retarded about them, they just seem to offend the Asian crowd for some reason?..

[Lenny]

Bump. I'll keep this open for two more days before I close it to prevent further discussion - it'll keep being revived every three months, otherwise... most probably by me. :rolleyes:

So that's two more days to vote if you want to.

[Chruser]

I like emoticons, but I find them unsuitable for the chatbox. Text is more pure, easier to comprehend, requires less bandwidth and retains a sense a seriousness; similar to what you see in a post on Zelaron which is devoid of emoticons.

[D3V]

I feel using Emoticons enhances chat in both, weather you're using sarcasm that tends to float over the heads of others you can just use the :rollseyes: one.

[Randuin]

If you have to TELL the person you're talking to that you're utilizing sarcasm they're probably too retarded to be worth talking to anyway.

[D3V]

utilizing Oh yeah? Yes, because they're completely futile for everything. Just leave the boards the same, and let everything die because nobody comes here anymore anyways.

[Randuin]

Oh yeah? Yes, because they're completely futile for everything. Just leave the boards the same, and let everything die because nobody comes here anymore anyways.

You're not getting me troll

[D3V]

You're not getting me troll


:lol:

If you have to TELL the person you're talking to that you're utilizing sarcasm they're probably too retarded to be worth talking to anyway.




Uh okay. I still just think they'd be a nice addition, and don't see the harm in adding them.

[WetWired]

Besides it ruining the flavor?

That and bored people doing stuff like
:killgrin: :) :) :) :) :) :killgrin:
:) :killgrin: :killgrin: :killgrin: :killgrin: :killgrin: :)
:) :killgrin: :) :killgrin: :) :killgrin: :)
:) :killgrin: :killgrin: :killgrin: :killgrin: :killgrin: :)
:) :) :killgrin: :killgrin: :killgrin: :) :)
:) :killgrin: :) :) :) :killgrin: :)
:killgrin: :) :) :) :) :) :killgrin:
much the same as GLG does his stupid waves and cheese spam

[D3V]

Hahaha. No, I just view the chatterbox as a similarity to AIM or something of the sort..

[Lenny]

In which case, we've got a nifty little group for people banned from the Chatbox, don't we?

[D3V]

Problem solved!

[Coffeedagger]

I think the icons in the chatbox would be cool. I like how you made the chatbox icons square as opposed to circle.

[Lenny]

More because they're so small than anything - with a 10x10 circle, you barely have the width or height to do anything. With a 10x10 square, however, there's more room to do a lot of things.

[HandOfHeaven]

Um, Lenny, how do you have a 10 x 10 circle? ......

[Lenny]

1o pixels wide, 10 pixels high. It's the width and height across the widest and heighest points.

[-Spector-]

I'll have to take Lenny's side on this one...

[WetWired]

Well, rather than just ban everyone who uses emoticons in the chatbox, wouldn't it be easier not to have them in the first place?

[Randuin]

Hahaha. No, I just view the chatterbox as a similarity to AIM or something of the sort..

Yeah and I have emoticons turned off on AIM

[Asamin]

Yeah and I have emoticons turned off on AIM
So why don't we just make the same setting. An option to turn them off.

[-Spector-]

So why don't we just make the same setting. An option to turn them off.

He does pose a good idea..o_O

[Lenny]

Well, rather than just ban everyone who uses emoticons in the chatbox, wouldn't it be easier not to have them in the first place?

You're twisting my words, WW.

You may note that I replied with:

In which case, we've got a nifty little group for people banned from the Chatbox, don't we?

to

Besides it ruining the flavor?

That and bored people doing stuff like

[cut due to too many images in post]

much the same as GLG does his stupid waves and cheese spam

Note the fugly emoticon spam in your post, and then read my reply again.

As they say - just because Ben is a cat, doesn't mean all cats are called Ben.

The use of emoticons is not the bannable offence, but rather how they are used.

An emoticon used to add effect to a sentence, such as:

"lol, that made me laugh http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/stick-out-tongue.png"

Is somewhat different to emoticons used to spam, such as your example, don't you think?

---

Asamin makes a good point. If people don't want to see them, then they should be given an option to disable them. The vote is too close to not merit the option for the minority who don't want the emoticons.

[WetWired]

Unfortunately, most of them are not pleasent for those who disable them:

:killgrin: :haha: :grin: :cry: :mad: :eek: :weird: :rolleyes: :nerd: :cool: :confused:

[Coffeedagger]

I must say i agree with asamin here.

[Goodlookinguy]

much the same as GLG does his stupid waves and cheese spam

Offensive! 馬鹿！ I won't "spam" cheese in English anymore, now, I will do it the best way...Japanese! 僕輪大好き乾酪！ Also, my waves aren't stupid!

‘-・‐’\_＿/'''‘-.._.:.::WAVE::.:._..-’'''\＿_/‘‐・-’

---------------

Now for my personal opinion on this. I don't think we should have these emoticons. Not to mention, in the end, WW has the final decision on what does and doesn't happen.

[WetWired]

Technically, Chruser could fire me and hire Mantra.

[Goodlookinguy]

Technically, Chruser could fire me and hire Mantra.

What!? Mantra knows how to do this stuff or is that supposed to be taken as a joke. I am personally taking it as a joke.

[Randuin]

What!? Mantra knows how to do this stuff or is that supposed to be taken as a joke. I am personally taking it as a joke.

Mantra is one of the more knowledgable guys around I thought.

[Goodlookinguy]

Mantra is one of the more knowledgable guys around I thought.

Maybe he is. I don't know, sense most of his posts are nonsense.

[Lenny]

Oh, he is. Very good at coding. He was making a hack for the forum at one point... don't know what happened with it, though.

---

Unfortunately, most of them are not pleasent for those who disable them:

:killgrin: :haha: :grin: :cry: :mad: :eek: :weird: :rolleyes: :nerd: :cool: :confused:

What about the alternatives that chat programs use? For example, in MSN they might be:

:) --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/smiley-face.png = smile
;) --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/wink-face.png = wink
>) --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/kill-grin.png = killgrin
:D --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/smiley-face-grin.png = big grin
:( --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/sad-face.png = sad
:@ --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/angry-face.png = angry
:o --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/eek-face.png = shocked
:|--> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/buh-face.png = weird
:p --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/stick-out-tongue.png = amused
8) --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/rolleyes-face.png = rolleyes

None of :rolleyes: things that the forum uses, but rather two character things that won't look strange in text.

:haha:, :cry:, :nerd:, :cool:, and :confused: were just chosen because they are in colons, yes? You didn't even bother to look at the smilies I've suggested.

[WetWired]

The question was about emoticons in general, not neccesarily your emoticons.

Have you considered the fact that the chatbox is real time? You don't get the opportunity to correct such blunders as:

East side HS (Class of 199http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/rolleyes-face.png
here's the biggest problem in the worldhttp://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/eek-face.pngppression of the weak
Things I seehttp://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/sad-face.pngin no particular order)
Directionhttp://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/smiley-face-grin.pngown

and so forth.

[Goodlookinguy]

The question was about emoticons in general, not neccesarily your emoticons.

Have you considered the fact that the chatbox is real time? You don't get the opportunity to correct such blunders as:

East side HS (Class of 199http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/rolleyes-face.png
here's the biggest problem in the worldhttp://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/eek-face.pngppression of the weak
Things I seehttp://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/sad-face.pngin no particular order)
Directionhttp://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/smiley-face-grin.pngown

and so forth.

I considered it, that's the reason why I'm against it. I might design a wave that has one of those shapes in it, and bam, it is destroyed, no more fun wave.

[Lenny]

I considered it, that's the reason why I'm against it. I might design a wave that has one of those shapes in it, and bam, it is destroyed, no more fun wave.

Awww. Diddums. What shall we do without your waves?

---

The last three would be avoided - I've not seen anyone who puts brackets after a colon, and a majority of people put spaces after colons. Plus there's the fact that the :o, :( and :D are more or less universal for those three emoticons (those three are used within the forum for the same emoticons - if they weren't, then alright, maybe you'd have had a point... but come on). You'd expect people to know that.

The only problem I see is your first example - 8), as I can see people using it. In which case, use a hyphen for a nose: 8-).

[WetWired]

:o is embarassed, not shocked, on vB forums by default.

[Lenny]

:o is embarassed, not shocked, on vB forums by default

In that case, then:

:) --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/smiley-face.png = smile
;) --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/wink-face.png = wink
>) --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/kill-grin.png = killgrin
:D --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/smiley-face-grin.png = big grin
:( --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/sad-face.png = sad
:@ --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/angry-face.png = angry
:| --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/buh-face.png = weird
:p --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/stick-out-tongue.png = amused

8-) --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/rolleyes-face.png = rolleyes
8-o --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/eek-face.png = shocked
:o --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/Lenny1882/embarrased-face.png = embarrased

[D3V]

Those look great, still. When can we expect them to be implemented?

[Lenny]

I'm going to ask for the poll to be closed tomorrow morning when I log in - it will have been open for a week, and the thread has been in New Posts long enough for those who want to vote to have voted.

If "Yes" stays ahead of "No", then hopefully ASAP. If "No" gets ahead of "Yes", then they won't get implemented.

If things stay the same (8 - 5 in support of "Yes"), then Asamin's idea of an option to turn them off will be put forward because there's such a small gap between "Yes" and "No".

[WetWired]

Of course, realize that even if I do decide to implement this, that it is behind a long list of more important features (http://zelaron.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44875), and even those are competing with vB3.7.

[Goodlookinguy]

Of course, realize that even if I do decide to implement this, that it is behind a long list of more important features (http://zelaron.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44875), and even those are competing with vB3.7.

Ha. I don't think it should be implemented. How many people honestly like to use emoticons. I use them as a joke because I hate emoticons. Though I have a feeling that before this, only my brother knew that.

[Lenny]

Of course, realize that even if I do decide to implement this, that it is behind a long list of more important features (http://zelaron.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44875), and even those are competing with vB3.7.

As long as it gets done, then I don't mind waiting a while.

And seeing as it's looking like more people want them than don't, well, democracy and all that, you know?

---

How nice, GLG. You keep telling yourself that.

[Goodlookinguy]

How nice, GLG. You keep telling yourself that.

Where did you get the idea I honestly like emoticons? They are perfect spam tools, and that's it.

[Lenny]

Spam tools? Sure... :rolleyes:

And where do waves fit into the grander scheme of things, out of interest?

[Goodlookinguy]

Spam tools? Sure... :rolleyes:

And where do waves fit into the grander scheme of things, out of interest?

Waves are fun, emoticons are not. Waves take time to make, the emoticons are already made, and by someone else for that matter. Waves look nice, emoticons are well, emoticons, blah.

[Lenny]

.-’''‘-.__.-'**'-._::.:HELLO:.::_.-'**'-.__.-’''‘-.

‘-・‐’\_＿/'''‘-.._.:.::WAVE::.:._..-’'''\＿_/‘‐・-’

\__.-’''''‘-..__/￣\/￣\__..-’''''‘-.__/

Nice? WW thinks they're annoying, and to me they're spam. Every time I see a "wave" in use, whether it be in the Chatbox, in a post, or in an MSN username, I feel the need to claw my eyes out.

One of the many different definitions of spam is: Any large, annoying, quantity of output. And an interesting backronym for spam just so happens to be stupid, pointless, annoying messages.

Whilst emoticons can add effect to a sentence, waves do not, but are rather spam. I class them as spam, WW (in finding them annoying) would class them as spam. Without even having to ask I know that !K_A! would class them as spam. If you want to argue your case as to why they're not spam, then I look forward to a thread somewhere.

Thus, emoticons are not spam tools, and would be good in the chatbox, particularly seeing as they're so small and unintruding.

[Lenny]

Could I ask for the poll to be closed now, please?

And just so that no-one tries to be sneaky and votes before an Admin can get round to closing it:

Eight voted "Yes w/ 'New' Lenny emoticons"

- -Spector-
- Asamin
- Coffeedagger
- D3V
- Draco2003
- Lenny
- Thanatos
- Wed-G

And five voted "No":

- Chruser
- GLG
- HoH
- Randiun
- WW

---

If it were thirteen to nothing, then fine, but seeing as there are so many against it, I'll formally put forward Asamin's idea:

So why don't we just make the same setting. An option to turn them off

[Asamin]

‘-・‐’\_＿/'''‘-.._.:.::WAVE::.:._..-’'''\＿_/‘‐・-’
I must admit. I think this is a pretty cool symbol.
------
I also think if we take the time to make a emote option we should also make one concerning avatars and sigs. There are some that I would like to block.

[WetWired]

User CP|User Options|Thread Display Options|Visible Post Elements

Which would be the same granularity as the proposed option.

[Asamin]

Doesn't that block all avatars and sigs though?
I am talking about just one guy. Just blocking one person. Not all.

[-Spector-]

I concur with Lenny, fuck the waves.

[WetWired]

I also think if we take the time to make a emote option we should also make one concerning avatars and sigs.
Which would be the same granularity as the proposed option.

Doesn't that block all avatars and sigs though?Yes, it does.

[Asamin]

Whilst emoticons can add effect to a sentence, waves do not, but are rather spam.
They might be spam but they are some cool looking spam. A lot better than someone who just puts:
asdfksadifgygyasfysadfaf
Don't you think?

[D3V]

Just add smiley faces, that's it. You guys are overcomplicating the matter. If someone spams using them, ban them. If you don't like them, don't use them. It's as simple as that.

[Asamin]

Good point. Just make the simple ones. Smile, frown. the ones everyone uses all the time.