if (text = FIRST) text = [I]FIRST[/I];

[Michelle Celio]

Originally Posted by Greg Marra

If you automatically italicize it when people post it, it shows no respect, only that a filter changed my text for me.

The fact that Protronie suggested that we just ignore this is what I meant.

Having a filter will not change others use of it elsewhere but will provide a sense that someone does actually care about what FIRST wants for their image.

I'm sure if you requested "The Blue Alliance" to be used a certain way, you would want people to actually respect your decision and follow what you ask for.

----

Anyway, as for the implementation, if its a simple edit to the forums and wont affect the daily posting of the many users, I don't see why there should be any disagreement as to why it shouldn't be implemented.

If 0705920 was asking for "first" and "FIRST" to be changed to "FIRST" then I'd understand the concern becuase it would alter the context of some messages.

[Greg Marra]

Originally Posted by Michelle Celio

If 0705920 was asking for "first" and "FIRST" to be changed to "FIRST" then I'd understand the concern becuase it would alter the context of some messages.

But this is the FIRST time anyone has asked for a filter like this!

But now I'm just playing Devil's Advocate.

[BornaE]

Originally Posted by Greg Marra

But this is the FIRST time anyone has asked for a filter like this!

But now I'm just playing Devil's Advocate.

In that case, there would be checkbox "Automatically parse/italicize FIRST in text"

[SL8]

Interesting, definitely a good idea to look into.
I am guilty of not always italicizing FIRST .
But I try to not forget as much as possible.
The check box may be a good idea because it show some individual (and group) initiative.

[Tristan Lall]

In English, there's no linguistic distinction between a name or acronym being written in plain typeface versus italics—so in conventional usage, there's no standard meaning. (Contrast that with the use of italics to signify a book title, or for contextual emphasis.) So when you choose to italicize it, you'll confuse a subset of readers, who will wonder what the special significance of the name is. Is it colloquial usage? Is there something about the context that makes the name important?

So what's the point? It's pretty much like asking (very politely) that my name be written only with a drop shadow. In other words, it's a little absurd.

Actually, if I remember correctly, the intention was to distinguish the name and acronym "FIRSТ" from the word "first". It seems to me that the capitalization already accomplishes this sufficiently well.

But then again, if the filter is so desperately wanted, make sure it can be turned off and that it doesn't apply to past posts (e.g. it's applied at preview-time or submission-time, rather than at render-time).

[SL8]

Originally Posted by Tristan Lall

In English, there's no linguistic distinction between a name or acronym being written in plain typeface versus italics—so in conventional usage, there's no standard meaning. (Contrast that with the use of italics to signify a book title, or for contextual emphasis.) So when you choose to italicize it, you'll confuse a subset of readers, who will wonder what the special significance of the name is. Is it colloquial usage? Is there something about the context that makes the name important?

So what's the point? It's pretty much like asking (very politely) that my name be written only with a drop shadow. In other words, it's a little absurd.

Actually, if I remember correctly, the intention was to distinguish the name and acronym "FIRSТ" from the word "first". It seems to me that the capitalization already accomplishes this sufficiently well.

But then again, if the filter is so desperately wanted, make sure it can be turned off and that it doesn't apply to past posts (e.g. it's applied at preview-time or submission-time, rather than at render-time).

Good point....

[artdutra04]

If I wrote FIRST on a essay for an English class, the professor would either assume I'm talking about a movie, a novel, or an ship, or would just mark it as a wrong use of italicization. However if I left it as FIRST, it would be pretty clear that it is a acronym, and through context, an organization.

I will follow FIRST's guidelines, as long as they conform with those of the English language.

[iRock]

Its all about the perspective of the person typing it. If the person is like all hardcore passionate about FIRST then they can type it like that but if its just something fun and they just like participating in ir then they can just use FIRST. Personally i switch back and forth between the two so either way is chill...

[Nate Laverdure]

In traditional U.S. English, FIRST should be F.I.R.S.T. anyway. It is only recently that the full stops have gone out of style.

There's been a lot of hubbub about language on this site recently.

[Carlee10]

I think as long as you capitalize it, thats good enough. Although, most people type fats and make mistakes, and don't always remember to capitalize/italicize FIRST. It would sorta be like insulting people to say that they're incompetent to do it themselves.

[Molten]

Originally Posted by Nate Laverdure

There's been a lot of hubbub about language on this site recently.

I'm glad that someone other then me has noticed this. It is starting to annoy me. Please just let everyone speak as they wish and leave me alone.

On a different note: Italics annoy me. If I had to look at italics everytime someone said FIRST I would definitely come here less.

[Alivia]

Originally Posted by iRock

Its all about the perspective of the person typing it. If the person is like all hardcore passionate about FIRST then they can type it like that but if its just something fun and they just like participating in ir then they can just use FIRST. Personally i switch back and forth between the two so either way is chill...

A person can write FIRST without italics and still be very passionate about the organization.


In my opinion, as long as FIRST is capitalized, it shouldn't matter which way it's written. Now, if FIRST specifically said "Hey, we want you to italicize our organization name every time you use it,' that'd be a different story. But, to my knowledge, that hasn't happened yet.

Personally, I tend to not italicize it, although I have in the past.

[Taylor]

Originally Posted by Tristan Lall

So what's the point? It's pretty much like asking (very politely) that my name be written only with a drop shadow. In other words, it's a little absurd.

The point is that FIRST asked us to do it, so I shall. It's not up to me to question their intentions.

If they requested drop shadow, I'd happily oblige. (as long as somebody showed me how to do it on here)

[BornaE]

Brandon,
Do you have any preferences on this matter?

[Dordai]

This is the first time that I have heard that FIRST wants us to italicize its name, and I do think it is a bit rediculious. Like other posters have said, italics already have a specific usage in the english language, and acronyms are not one of them. It would just confuse others without intement knowledge of FIRST who read this forum.
Also, on FIRST's homepage right now, I see FIRST italicised 3 times but it is not italicised 4 times. FIRST itself doesn't even seem too particular about this.