quote:

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All right; in this post there will be no smilie graphics as it would exceeded the 8 limit (:mad:), so you'll just have to pretend that they're there. :D

Now that we have that cleared up let's cover the ground rules:
As Papa Moose likes to say, smilies can be over used; but I think it's hard. They key to using smilies is to make sure that they have a purpose in your post. There are two purposes that they can fulfill: Indicating mood/tone/emotion of your statement and as actual statements. The latter is much rarer, but isn't that uncommon. For instance; a post like this: "I just got married!" could be responded to with this: :D:D:D:D:D:D! And that would be an acceptable response.

To use your smilies correctly you need to be familiar with them; so lets get started!

:) The basic smilie, it connotes happiness, good times, or an elevated mood

;) The winking smilie, one of the most common as it tells the reader that the previous statement was either a joke, and exaggeration, or something similar. It takes the place of "j/k" and can be instrumental in realizing that someone wasn't insulting you, they were just joking!

:( The sad smilie, hopefully you wont use it to often. The meaning (obviously) is that you are depressed, or that something bad just happened to you.

:o The embarrassed smilie. This one can be a difficult one since the graphic looks more like a talking mad smilie. So remember, red doesn't mean angry! This one isn't used as often, but can certainly get across an emotion!

:D The big grin, perhaps the most common smilie on this forum. It means that you are really happy, you just had a great day and you're ready to share it with the world. We at Hatrack like to see this smilie.

:p Sticking out your tongue. This one is usually used in compliment with, or in place of, the ;) For instance: "The last time Bob left his house he was attacked by a T-Rex" could be followed by either, or both (:p ;)) and adds a bit of fun to your post.

:cool: This one seems to have gone out of style lately, and is most often used a statement (i.e. "I just got a new cat!" ":cool:") but it still has it's purpose.

:rolleyes" This is most often used when dealing with someone's silly comment (that was most likely followed by a :p or ;)) or having to deal with stupid people outside of Hatrack (since there's none inside :)).

:eek: Normally used when someone makes a surprising or odd comment, it's graphic is one of the funest;)

:confused: This one (like :cool:) is most often used as a statement, if someone starts off a thread with "Jelly Beans will one day rule the Earth!" the :confused: smilie comes in handy.

:mad: This is a very common smilie, normally having to do with something that has happened to you that you're relating to the Hatrack community, it certainly lets you vent!

So there are the smilies. Keep in mind what each of them means when you use them. Please don't them in an insult ("I've noticed that you've gotten stupider ____ :) I think that you are a **************! :)) as it really degrades the smilie. Thanks-you for your time and :D:D:D:D:D!

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[EDIT: My spacing got messed up :(]

Hobbes :)

my most used --->

the hands down funniest if you can find a time to use it --->

my least used ---> and for obvious reasons

congrats Hobbes

(woops, I messed up the cool icon)

<--*Likes to always add smilies *

My most-used are and

I like as well.

I hate to use and , but sometimes I have to.

I don't use the others very much.

Congrats, Hobbes! Thanks for being the smilingest guy around! :grin:, since I think I've used up the smilie limit for this post

My favorites are also the moving ones:

Most used:

Least used: - I just never seem to find occasion to use it.

here

code:

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:D:D    :)    :)  ;)      ;)  :eek::eek::eek:
:D  :D  :)    :)  ;);)  ;);)  :eek:     :eek:
:D:D    :)    :)  ;)  ;)  ;)  :eek::eek::eek:
:D  :D  :)    :)  ;)      ;)  :eek:
:D:D:D    :):)    ;)      ;)  :eek:

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[EDIT: It took out all of my spacings! Incase your wondering, the above makes a bueatiful "BUMP" in smilies]

Hobbes :)