First things first. Don’t forget to mark your calendars. MMOOS, our local Mac user group, meets this coming Tuesday, February 21st, at 7:00 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room, around back on the second floor of Brunswick High School. Get there early to get a good seat (we’re close to filling up the place and having to look for new digs). Surely a good time will be had by all (and don’t call me Shirley).

Now on to some news you can use. Many people use acronyms, abbreviations, shortcuts, and other shorthand for words and phrases to help speed up communication, both in email and during online chats. Some acronyms are pretty obvious, like FYI (for your information) or ASAP (as soon as possible). Others are a little harder to figure out.

So this week I’ve collected some common email and chat shorthand, and, as a public service, I’ll share it with you.

Amazingly, I’ve run into people who didn’t know that LOL was “laughing out loud”. Of course, we all know that there are different levels of mirth. There’s ROTFL (rolling on the floor laughing), and for those really funny lines, there’s ROTFLMAO (rolling on the floor laughing my #$$ off).

People online are certainly opinionated, and the more courteous of the “know-it-alls” will preface their tidbits of knowledge with AAMOF (as a matter of fact), AFAIK (as far as I know), AIUI (as I understand it), CMIIW (correct me if I’m wrong), and IMHO (in my humble opinion). Which, of course, really means – I’m right!

Saying “Thank You” can take many forms: TX, THKS, TNKS, TKS, and THNX.

When nature calls, people will BRB (be right back) or BBL (be back later) and become AFK (away from keyboard). When it’s time to leave the chat for good, there are many ways to say goodbye. BBFN (bye bye for now). CU (see you). CUL8R (see you later). TTFN (ta-ta for now). TTYL (talk to you later). And, my favorite, <POOF>.

Here are some commonly used acronyms that you might see when chatting or corresponding with your friends who use Windows. There’s WIDT? (why’d it do that?). GDMYPCFA (gol’ darnit my PC froze again). WSSAYY? (what security software are you using?). And, BRBIHTR (be right back, I have to reboot).

As a Mac user, you can offer them these six simple words to live by: YSHBAM. You Should Have Bought A Macintosh.

© 2006 Peter F. Zimowski