Recently, a senior here asked a newbie to spell his words out and name his "distro". Another member popped in to comment that "distro" is not a complete word too so the senior should spell his words out first. He also gave me a dictionary link saying that "Pls" is the abbreviation of "Please".

What are the rules regarding these abbreviations here?
If "IMHO" and "Distro" are acceptable and on what basis is "Pls" not acceptable?

The issue is not big, but I think we should be clear on ourselves before we dictate the terms to the newbies.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...5/#post4401496

This is a matter of opinion.

Distro has a well understood meaining in Linux circles. If one really can't figure out what it means they can do a web search for it -OR- the OP could even reply asking for it to be defined. Having another putz leap into the thread to suggest THEIR way of writing is the only valid way doesn't make it a "rule" - just an opinion that can't be enforced.

On doing a quick search for "meaning of distro" I got many hits the first of which is:
http://www.internetslang.com/DISTRO.asp

As for me I have and will continue to use distro and other common acronyms/abbreviations when I feel they're appropriate.

It's not acceptable if it makes the post harder to read.

EDIT: Someone rated this "not helpful." Was something wrong with this?

0 members found this post helpful.

As senior member said that he was just kidding around and using distro instead of distribution is alright. In my opinion "text speak garbage" means using sms language in posts. I mean when there is no character limit in LQ posts (not that I am aware of) why to use sms language because it is very difficult for some people to decode it.

Example: If I write "Pls hlp me in finding the bst OS for running on an old hw" looks irritating (I mean when OP posts a query it is already a challenge and before that you have another challenge to decode what he has written to understand what the problem is ;-) )

Using a word distro, IMHO, AFAIK are known abbreviation but I don't think you can use pls instead of please or u instead of you or ur instead of your because that shows that you are not even willing to explain the issue. This shows that you are pretty lazy to describe the issue to the people who volunteer their time here to resolve it.

As I said it is a matter of opinion. If you read it and understood it you're projecting you're own imagination of how feeble minded the OP of a post is. The link I posted above shows "distro" is not actually limited to Linux discussions so as far as you know the OP already knows the word. If I say you seem discombobulated by people not accepting you as the arbiter of syntax I won't really concern myself as to whether you understand what I just said. I'll assume that either you do or that you're smart enough to figure it out with the aid of dictionaries which are available on line -OR- even ask me what I meant. If someone isn't smart enough to do one or the other then they probably shouldn't be allowed to touch a computer in the first place.

For some reason that reminds me of the old Monty Python bit where the police are questioning a guy who created a phrase book in which he suggests the English translation of the foreign language question "What time is it?" is "Please fondle my bum."

I'm sorry but what is "sms"?

See these are the affects of using short message service (sms) language. People find it difficult to read ;-) If I would have written short message service in my first post mensawater didn't have to ask what is sms ;-)

Good one MensaWater!!!

Distro is clearly not im speak, but is an abbreviation for distribution. sms = a type of text messaging

Dude, what's "im"? Spell out your words!

im = instant messaging. Instant messaging language is used by people on chat especially on yahoo or gmail chat ;-) where Oh My GOD becomes OMG, Be right back becomes BRB ;-)

WTF?

Apparently like Alanis Morrissette you don't understand what "irony" is. Or maybe you do.

Seriously, I don't think this is going to be caught soon in any by-laws other than netiquette. Some new members may need time to realize where they are in cyberspace (Netiquette rule 3). We should help them by being lenient and pointing out things and they should actively acclimatize and try to fit in. It's clear abbreviations are a part of "LQ-speek" but texting and IM language definitely are not.

Hello unSpawn,

Your post violate LQ's 1st rule (http://www.linuxquestions.org/linux/rules.html) unless you would like to give us a better extension for wtf ;-)

2 members found this post helpful.

I don't care if someone speaks or types there replies. If I understand it I might be able to help. If I can't understand it I ignore it and move on. No one should feel afraid to post (communicate,) because they may be viewed as doing it wrong. However, it would be in the best interest of the poster to communicate clearly, especially at a forum like this. But if they don't, like I said, I move on.

Also, while I am not a senior member, I have been at this forum since 2008. So I wanted to add my two cents.