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1 What is Emoticon Rape?:

Emoticon Rape is where someone misuses the privilege of the given Emoticons on Gaia in their posts. The following are examples of Emoticon rape, and may not be suitable for the weak of heart:

"I duno!1!! xp domokun scream xd 3nodding redface crying "

"WHA?!?!!! ANIME IS THE BESTS YOU SUCSK!!!! scream scream scream gonk stressed scream blaugh scream domokun "

"Gold ninja ninja ninja ninja 4laugh twisted "

"Hehe 3nodding redface 3nodding heart whee xd blaugh 4laugh "

"i went to the stor the oter day and my mom was like dont by the wipcrem scream but i did it anywayz! blaugh blaugh blaugh blaugh "

Saddly, Emoticon Rape usually is seen along side exclamation point and question mark rape, which we also hope to stop.

3 How do I use a Emoticon correctly?:

Using an Emoticon correctly is really a very easy thing. Restrain yourself to using an Emoticon only twice, maybe three times in a post. If the post is long; 3 is fine. If the post is short; 3 is pushing it. Use good judgment. Ask your self, "Does this statement really need an emoticon to express my feelings?"

Emoticons are wonderful things. Adding an emoticon can change the mood/feeling of your post to express your real meaning behind a statement which, with out the emoticon, would not be exspressable over the internet otherwise. How?:

That's not the point, is it? whee
That's not the point, is it? wink
That's not the point, is it? rolleyes
That's not the point, is it? mad

As amazing, wonderful and useful as this form of 'internet expression' is, it should not be abused. In a post like this:

That's not the point, is it? 3nodding redface smile scream domokun heart eek stressed

who the heck can understand how they meant to say that? It only leads one to believe the person does not know what they are talking about, because they can not seem to express their emoticons/emotions correctly and that they are far more interested in posting pretty faces then actual words in which to provoke/engage discussion .

So;

Please try to place an emoticon after a statement with an implied feeling. Example:

"My dog died today. sad "

When writing a longer post, placing emoticons at only pivotal feelings/places to get your point across would be best.

[Paragraph]
"Because we all want that to happen. rolleyes "
[paragraph]
[paragraph]
"But you know, that's just my opinion. 3nodding "

It also works best if you place your Emoticon after the period in your sentence, so the face does not 'chop' the sentence in half.

Emoticon usage like this: " whee heart ", where the entire post is only one or two Emoticons is acceptable, because it acts as words. This technique works well when responding to statement/opinion/movement threads/comments. Where would it not be acceptable? In a 'read and response' thread. If the topic is about politics or even just two characters from a TV show " scream domokun " doesn't add much to the discussion.

Using your Emoticons responsively and wisely will show others you understand the purpose of the Emoticon and how to use it- and thus are a 'learned' poster. However; using the correct grammar, trying your best to spell right, avoiding 'chat speak' when trying to be taken seriously, avoid misusage of 'bumping', and knowing your information and posting with facts in longer debates will also show that you are a 'learned' poster and you will have your posts be respected and read (we at the ERCC would also like to stress that you should not abuse the exclamation mark, question mark, or the word 'bump' either).

5 Banner/Links/Other

Banners:
Quote the post to get the Banner Codes


By: Frosted Pirate
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By: Samurai-Katagi
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By: MahouTragicQueen
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By [Faiths Revenge]
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By guitarjunki
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If anyone wants to make banners or anything to support the ERCC, it would be much aprechiated and loved. heart

Links:

The Argument Hospital <- Learn how to not sound like a idiot when arguing your point.

<- This place is friggin' awesome.

<- the EERCC was featured here as a "Featured Thread", its a very spiffy place.

The ERCC Chatterbox Office is located here.

Other-other Links:
A thing my friends wanted me to plug. I think it's a total scam and a waste of time; but I said I'd do it, please forgive me. gonk
Free ipod

go ask a mod to remove his post.

This is very good! 'Bout dagnabbed time somebody tried to put a stop to this! Maybe you should have a branch in the chatterbox... xp