27th january 2006

:-o and :o !!

cingular, the states' largest mobile phone network, have to be applauded for their balls this week. they have only gone and applied to patent smileys (or emoticons as they're known on phones)! how on earth can they do this? of course, stupid thing is, they'll probably be successful.

i remember first reading that now infamous joke thread from the early 80's where, The Register now reminds me, Scott Fahlman innocently wrote the line "I propose that the following character sequence for joke markers: :-)", not knowing that he had invented a language that would be used - incessantly - in decades time by giggling office workers and pubescent instant messenger users. if only he had applied for a patent then! (of course there are now claims that they - smilies - were around a lot longer than that).

whenever they were 'invented', i think it's ridiculous that cingular are doing this, but you've got to admire them for trying.

source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/...

related:

laugh,

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