Abbreviations

[Mark Davis]

This site has many abbrevations. It makes making sense of what people write here difficult.
So here's what I am going to do. When ever I start to read a post with unexplained abbreviations I plan to ignore it.
If the message is not important enough to spell out cleary what you mean to say, why should anyone read it?
Posters type once. Lazy typers leave the reades to take up the slack. What is a few more key strokes?
Our mission is important, any newbie should be able to read and understand the subject.
Fundamental.

[Old Dog]

http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=4923.msg46764#msg46764

This got started awhile back, like to never found it.  Hope it helps.

[Mark Davis]

Thanks Old Dog,
I have visited that page before.
My point is, If you have important information to share, many people will not bother to read what they do not understand.

If we want to deliver valuable information to the masses it will get more reader understanding if we just take the time to type the words we want to use.

[POP]

Clod,
Way back in '08, when I first read this forum and attended my first Appleseed event, the abbreviations, acronyms, and pseudonyms flowed like boudin at a Louisiana Appleseed (Its a Cajun thing  ).  As I have learned since, the Appleseed POI is built on all these useful shortcuts.  They have become part of who we are.

I think I understand how you feel about those pesky nondescript linguistic black holes (LBH) of which we Appleseeders are so fond. But, since these LBHs are here to stay, let me suggest:
1.  When I think the average reader may not know the meaning of one of my LBHs I normally will write out the meaning somewhere in the document.  This is a technically correct and prudent method of handling the concern.
2.  We do not need to spoon feed new Applseeders; I they need and can handle a challenge.  Therefore, I use lots of LBHs and let them fill in the blanks.
3.  If an Appleseeder does not know and cannot determine on his own the meaning of an LBH, they can do what I do and ask someone or PM them for the meaning.
4.  Finally, life is full of these LBHs, or as Mrs. POP calls them, "Alphabet Soup."  So, new Appleseeders should be used to them by the time they get to their first event ... may not know their meaning, but, should be used to the concept.  Most young and middle age adults (and even us old guys) are familiar with the concept of LBHs from work, newspapers, internet, email, government documents, etc.  And, our youth grow up with this stuff in school, texting, computers, friends, etc., so they're a natural for our LBHs.
5.  Point is, in my view, that these pesky LBHs were here to stay long before Appleseed was a twinkle in Fred the Friendly's eye.  Let's deal with them by making them our friend.  One great way to do that, as Slim pointed out (thank you Slim  ), is the post started by JB entitled "Instructor Wiki-seedia."  I don't know if it has a prominent place on the forum, but, if not, perhaps it should.  That way, even us "old-timers" who tend to forget easily can find the answer.  Perhaps some forum administrator (scuzzy?  ) who has lots of time on his hands could do that.

Good post, Clod.

See you on the trail,
POP


BTW, that Cajun Boudin, ummmm good!    Just remember, don't ask what it is; don't tell anyone if you find out.  Just eat it and give the chef your compliments.   

[Herr_Berg]

I agree that it just makes it difficult to read, especially for a newbie (like me) that wants to understand all he can before a shooting event. Take this post for example: http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=14067.0

I'm going to that event but I have no idea what is being asked for.

BTW that link Old Dog posted doesn't work when I click it for some reason.

[CortJestir]

Gentlemen, Welcome to the Internet.

Seriously, if you come across an abbreviation you don't know, just ask in the thread. No one'll think less of ya and it'll benefit others who are reading the thread and who may not know.

[Fred]

   What CJ said..."ask, and ye shall receive..."

[TruTenacity]

Old Dog's link worked for me.  Thanks for posting it.

One of the benefits of having Western Rose in the home is I just holler over to her and ask her what "XYZ" means.  I know not everyone is as blessed as Reformed Redneck's home so taking the initiative to print out the Alphabet Soup list and keep it next to you while browsing the forum would be a good thing.  I should print one out myself and have it at the dinner table so I know what my Instructor family is talking about while we chow down.

Tru T

P.S.  Herr_Dog, I noticed you used "BTW" without saying what the letters mean.  For the longest time I couldn't figure those letters out when I saw them in e-mails, but I never took the time to respond back with the question, "What does BTW mean anyway?"  I finally asked one of my kids and it has stuck with me ever since.  I see it has stuck with you too.

[R10/22]

http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=4923.msg46764#msg46764

This got started awhile back, like to never found it.  Hope it helps.

And many of us mere newbies have NO ACCESS to the above link. I get . . .

An Error Has Occurred!
The topic or board you are looking for appears to be either missing or off limits to you. 

. . . when I click on that and many other links here.

Thus, I'm guessing that most of the links posted here are only accessible to instructors and not the casual reader.

[TruTenacity]

Oh dear, that is a problem, R10/22.

Another problem, the list isn't kept up to date.  I came across another link just moments after reading this one.  An acronym I've never seen before was used.  I jumped over to the link Old Dog posted and wouldn't you know it, the acronym wasn't there.

Tru T

[TaosGlock]

This issue does come up from time to time.

In one of the ASB's we discussed acronym's. Yes, we are acronym heavy. 
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=7115.msg92816#msg92816

Almost like another language: 
A quoted example from the above link... "to paraphrase RW, all you SB's who are planning an AS, you need to get your EIPs to SS ASAP so they can be put on the schedule. If you don't understand these TLAs, then you can need to follow OD's link".

And yes, the link does need updated from time to time.