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

[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.

[Matt H.]

I'm am very much against any kind of automatic censorship--no matter how well thought out the censor is it will still make mistakes. Similarly as noted above FIRST has shown very little regard for this rule on their own website (see news front page) and hence I will continue to simply capitalize rather than italicize the acronym.
The standard which I apply to requests from large organizations is to compare it to a request made by an individual. For example if someone requested that I always print their name in wing dings font I would pay them no heed. Similarly as first has shown no valid reason for italicizing their name I see no need to do as such.

[Brandon Martus]

Originally Posted by 0705920

Brandon,
Do you have any preferences on this matter?

I'll leave it up to the author to follow the standards (has anybody found an official source showing that it is actually a standard?)

[Joe Matt]

Originally Posted by Brandon Martus

I'll leave it up to the author to follow the standards (has anybody found an official source showing that it is actually a standard?)

No, nowhere in the Logo & Standards information does it state this. I think the post referred to is more of a reference to the use of italics in terms of promotional material, instead of actual usage day to day.

This is just anal retentive and if we start forcing this on people, lets get away from the keyboards a bit and go out to a party or something.