Why does my mom type in ALL CAPS? - PlayFirst Grapevine

2007
DEC
3
by cocogirl

When I get emails from my mom, sometimes they are in all caps. You've seen this phenomenon too. People new to the computer type in all caps when they send email or even post to forums. Unfortunately, this comes off as rude to experienced users. Nettiquette says not to use all caps because it is interpreted as screaming or shouting. It seems bizarre that people coming from a typewriter generation would even use all caps.

I was talking my friend in IT, AirshipJones, and we came up with a couple theories:
  • OH SO FORMAL. The computer screen is so formal and de-personalized. Since caps are formal, people type to match the formality of the interface. People are hyper-focused on transmitting information and not communication. Ultimately they think more about the computer than the person on the other end.
  • 2. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? People are insecure about whether their message is coming across so they over-emphasize everything. They shout to be heard.
  • 3. NOT SHIFTY. They don't know how to use the shift key. When they started typing everything was lowercase. The shift key isn't obvious so people hit Caps Lock and then don't turn it off. They don't mean to be rude, but for them all caps is better than no caps.
Why do you think people type in all caps?

Vote for your favorite reason or give one of your own.

Comments

I think they might need more practice low key because they must be stupid thats what I tjink

by daricecutie (joined Nov 24, 2007)
posted Jan 26, 2008 5:14:36 PM
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Hello there, I am new to this forum and was going to read some comments to the first question, the young lady said her mom emails her in all caps. Well, I agree with several people that posted recently about it. I am up in age, a "young" grandmother I'll say and my problem when I started to use the computer keepboard is that the cap lock key is really close to the left hand shift and tab key, so close that for some time I was typing everything in caps while looking over at the info I was typing. When I would look up to read it over I was so upset that sometimes I would use the font sizer and make the letters smaller instead of typing it all over again. My theory is to understand where one is coming from, why they are there and who really wants to be the one to tell them that they are not with the program. Hey, I still haven't gotten those letter slangs chat room people use, except LOL which I see this always in caps no matter where it is used. Well thank for letting me put my two cents in, if it is worth anything today.

by dinerdish28 (joined Nov 15, 2007)
posted Jan 6, 2008 12:14:02 AM
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sometimes i think people do it because they are typing too fast. they want to get their point across so it doesn't get jumbled up or forgotten so they type quickly and accidentally hit the capslock key. and sometimes it's because all caps are easier to read especially with poor eyesight.

by swtpepsigirl95 (joined Apr 8, 2006)
posted Dec 27, 2007 11:40:08 PM
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I THINK THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!(I am shouting now)
I'M SPEAKING FOR MYSELF & OTHERS IN MY POSITION. EVER THINK OF COMPUTER LOVERS WHO MAY HAVE A DISABILITY OR A HANDICAP? BUT COTINUES TO USE THE COMPUTER DESPITE IT? SO, YES I DO KNOW WHAT THE CAPS LOCK MEANS, HOW TO TURN IT ON & OFF AWARE THAT IT'S ON. I'M PARALYZED ON MY LEFT SIDE, SO I HAVE ONLY ONE HAND TO TYPE WITH & IT'S EASIER TO JUST TURN CAPS LOCK ON. SO THE PEOPLE I WRITE JUST HAE TO DEAL WITH IT, AS I AS DEALING WITH IT.

by TOWANNAGRAY (joined Dec 10, 2007)
posted Dec 27, 2007 5:56:23 AM
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ladyvine is so right. I have had people litterly tell me to stop shouting, but DA-it is easier to read in caps and it is so doggone monnotinous to Shift all the time. it slows you down. so get a life and live with it. I AM NOT CHANGING LESS I FEEL LIKE IT. POOPOO PEE DOO. THE COMPUTOR IS NOT THE PLACE TO HAVE PROPERLY PLACED CAPS AND LOWER CASE LETTERS. THE COMPUTOR WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY IS SUPPOSE TO BE FUN AND IF YOU ARE COMPOSING A BUSINESS LETTER THAT NEEDS UPPER AND LOWER CASE LETTERS AS THEY ARE CALLED TODAY , THEN SO BE IT. GOOD GOLLY. I WON'T ASK FOR HELP.
THAT OKEY?? that okey??

by gundich (joined Dec 17, 2007)
posted Dec 17, 2007 1:26:50 PM
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lol SLVRFX...Typing in caps is a need for attention of course. Just because your a senior citizen does not always mean your eyesight is bad. Iv'e been wearing glasses since i was 16 now in my 40's. If you prefer to type in caps the polite thing to do is explain so you don't seem rude, thanks & have a wonderful Christmas.

by sally1963 (joined Aug 15, 2007)
posted Dec 16, 2007 3:19:28 AM
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BZBZMOM lol ♥

by pink0juicy5 (joined Dec 8, 2007)
posted Dec 9, 2007 8:25:32 AM
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i dont know maybe she just wants to?? did you ever think of that?♥♥

by pink0juicy5 (joined Dec 8, 2007)
posted Dec 9, 2007 8:24:46 AM
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I JUST THINK THEY WANT TO. IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER.

by spellenma (joined Jun 8, 2007)
posted Dec 7, 2007 2:00:29 PM
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So, here's a question. The games at PF have pretty large fonts. The forums don't unless you change something in your browser. Would it help if we changed our forum look to be more like our games?

by Airshipjones (joined Apr 26, 2007)
posted Dec 5, 2007 3:52:26 PM
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