I have found this site helpful:
http://www.acronymfinder.com/

I was in the Army and I'm not a stranger to acronyms, but if someone is MAKING UP an acronym, then I want them to at least tell me what it means first. I don't really want to open a new window and have to look it up.

Heinlein put TANSTAAFL in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress and until I realized it was just some obscure dutch word, I was going crazy trying to figure it out.

Certain things, like LOL, BRB, ROFL, and so on -- should be obvious to everyone but a neophyte web user.

But...

Only hardcore Star Wars fans probably know that ESB is actually an electroseismic burst without thinking too hard or having it explained to them first. Only hardcore dog show enthusiasts probably have ANY idea that BOB is just a short way to say BYOB.

There ain't no such thing as a free lunch, you know.

When a newspaper wants to use an acronym or abbreviation in an article, their style sheet requires its writers to first state the name completely with the abbreviation immediately following in parantheses. For example: "For information about getting a real estate license in California, you should contact the California Department of Real Estate (CDRE)." From then on, the article can use CDRE freely and no one is lost. You get to use a shortcut, you've explained what the shortcut means, and you've given WARNING that you are going to use that shortcut later in the article.

Of course, I can't change the world by ranting. I know that. I rant on, anyway

It's a character flaw.

Certain things, like LOL, BRB, ROFL, and so on -- should be obvious to everyone but a neophyte web user.

Er.... BRB?

Paul R, a neophyte web user.

Er.... BRB?

Paul R, a neophyte web user.

I didn't know either, Paul. Near as I can figure, it's either "be right back" or "Birmingham Royal Ballet."

brb = be right back. Used in chat rooms and with IM's (instant messages).

brb = be right back. Used in chat rooms and with IM's (instant messages).

Thanks, Auskar. Now I can go to sleep at peace...which I will do right now...be back later.

...When a newspaper wants to use an acronym or abbreviation in an article, their style sheet requires its writers to first state the name completely with the abbreviation immediately following in parantheses. For example: "For information about getting a real estate license in California, you should contact the California Department of Real Estate (CDRE)." From then on, the article can use CDRE freely and no one is lost. You get to use a shortcut, you've explained what the shortcut means, and you've given WARNING that you are going to use that shortcut later in the article.

Of course, I can't change the world by ranting. I know that. I rant on, anyway

It's a character flaw.

To be fair, AC did give the full title "Empire Strikes Back" before using ESB in the original post. That's how I figured it out.

Otherwise, I agree that Instant Messenger (IM) abbreviations are best kept to IM applications with a cell phone - where it does save a lot of time, and probably online role playing games where seconds count. Using a full-size keyboard or even a laptop keyboard to post on a forum... we don't have much excuse for using IM abbreviations.

One final thought - since cell phone IM-ing is done mostly by teens and young adults it stands to reason that they don't necessarily want us "old" folks to know what all those abbreviations mean!

To be fair, AC did give the full title "Empire Strikes Back" before using ESB in the original post. That's how I figured it out.

Otherwise, I agree that Instant Messenger (IM) abbreviations are best kept to IM applications with a cell phone - where it does save a lot of time, and probably online role playing games where seconds count. Using a full-size keyboard or even a laptop keyboard to post on a forum... we don't have much excuse for using IM abbreviations.

One final thought - since cell phone IM-ing is done mostly by teens and young adults it stands to reason that they don't necessarily want us "old" folks to know what all those abbreviations mean!

Since I've been on this board, I recall many abreviations being used. I seem to recall these abreviations being posted on Lisa's website when the new posters began to wonder what they stood for. BTW, IMHO, e.g.

AC

Since I've been on this board, I recall many abreviations being used. I seem to recall these abreviations being posted on Lisa's website when the new posters began to wonder what they stood for. BTW, IMHO, e.g.

AC

The one that always trips me up is IINM. I always have to think about it.

BTW - even though we don't necessarily have much excuse to use them here, they're still kind of fun to use anyway, IMHO.

The one that always trips me up is IINM. I always have to think about it.

IINM: "If I'm not mistaken" (I would never have thought of that).

IINM: "If I'm not mistaken" (I would never have thought of that).

I found a pretty complete listing of text message abbreviations on Webopedia.

I like T+ (think positive).