19 March, 2018

the broken clock is a comfort, it lets me sleep at night

Oh, boy. More drama from one of my groups. But this time it was from an unanticipated direction.

[12:39] Jxx Lxxxxxx: THIS ITEM DOES IT COME WITH ISIS AND VENUS AND FREYS I ONLY SE IT SAYS BELLEZA [link to template offered, edited for anonymity of group]
[12:40] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: only venus
[12:40] Jxx Lxxxxxx: GROWLS
[12:40] Bxxxx Kxxxxxxxxx: does your keyboard comes only with caps? ;p
[12:41] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: when it says only belleza its only Venus
[12:41] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: look at the contents tab
[12:41] Sxxxxxx Dxxxxx: what was the weekend special?
[12:41] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [seasonal] costume
[12:41] Sxxxxxx Dxxxxx: oh
[12:43] Rxxxx Pxxx: that costume is bulky enough it shouldn't matter about the specific sizes of Belleza ... it's not a close to form fitting outfit :)
[12:44] Jxx Lxxxxxx: I CAN TYPE HOW EVER I WISH THIS IS WHY I DONT SPEAK IN HERE TOO MUCH PEOPLE ALWAYS COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW I TYPE

My initial reaction here, and it likely won't ever change: "Oh, she's one of those people."

[12:44] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: caps mean screaming
[12:44] Jxx Lxxxxxx: OK THANK YOU [RXXXX] I WILL TRY IT
[12:44] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: in internet language everywhere


Yeah. Pretty much everywhere, in a ton of languages, even.

[12:44] Jxx Lxxxxxx: NO FOR ME CAPS MES I CANT SEE WELL
[12:44] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: even on texting
[12:45] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol
[12:45] Exxxx Sxxxxxxx: lots of people who do not see well use caps


Everyone with a vision impairment is different. And it did make me, and likely a few others, give her a bit of charity for the caps--at least for the next minute or so.

[12:45] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: people hate when others use caps to talk
[12:45] Jxx Lxxxxxx: ANY WAY THINKS I WANTED TO GET CLARITY BEFORE I BOUGHT IT THANKS
[12:45] Emilly Orr: OKAY JAE, JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT'S GOING TO ALWAYS BE THE REACTION YOU GET. SYMPATHIES.


Of course I was being sarcastic, but I also wanted her to make sure she saw what I sent. Because that is the common reaction when people see lines of uppercase--that the other party is yelling, or just being rude.

[12:45] Axxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxx: [Jxx], you can resize the font and make it larger....
[12:45] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yup
[12:45] Emilly Orr: A lot of folks forget they can do that.
[12:45] Jxx Lxxxxxx: THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTION BUT THE CAPS ARE FINE FOR ME


Well, we tried. Can't say we didn't.

[12:46] Axxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxx: *sigh* PAI....
[12:46] Rxxxx Pxxx: YW [JXX] ... AND IT'S FINE, WE HAVE TO DO THE SAME FOR OUR FRIEND IN SL WHO IS NEARLY BLIND. GLAD I COULD ASSIST. OK BACK TO REGULAR TYPING FOR ME.. HAVE A BLESSED SUNDAY ALL :)
[12:46] Bxxxx Kxxxxxxxxx: YOU CAN ALSO INCREASE THE SCALE OF YOUR UI
[12:46] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: u can get kicked of a group for it
[12:46] Jxx Lxxxxxx: NO I KNOW I CAN BUT JUST USINT THE CAPITOL LETTERS IS JUST FINE FOR ME NO MEED FOR MT TO RESIZE MY FONT ANY WAY THANKS ALL BYE
[12:46] Bxxxx Kxxxxxxxxx: HAVE FUN LIVING IN A WORLD WHERE ONLY YOU MATTER ;P
[12:47] Jxx Lxxxxxx: [F*CK] OFF OK


So first, yes, we all know what she says, but I still try to keep cursing to a minimum, at least here. And second, really, that was uncalled for. Was the comment directly before hers snarky? Sure. But snark doesn't usually get us straight hostility back.

[12:47] Rxxxx Pxxx: I don't think anyone would kick anyone out of the group because they have difficulty seeing
[12:47] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no but they would for caps


This is actually the first I'd heard of people being kicked just for typing in all caps. Is that really a thing?

[12:47] Rxxxx Pxxx: Let's not be unkind or rude please... that will be a reason to get kicked out
[12:47] Bxxxx Kxxxxxxxxx: ONLY CAUSE THEY HAVE DIFFICULTY LIVING ;)
[12:47] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: u can't even do notices in caps


Actually, some folks do, just like some hosts and hostesses call out tip reminders and such in clubs in all caps. Doesn't make any of us respect those that do for typing in all caps, however.

[12:47] Sxxxxxxx Rxxxx: Is it really that hard to put up with for a bit of time if a person can't see?
[12:48] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: then raise the font!
[12:48] Sxxxxxx Dxxxxx: Treat people how you want to be treated, YOU typing in caps makes no sense, you know what your saying..
[12:48] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: there's a huge setting on firestorm
[12:48] Rxxxx Pxxx: Sounds like there are those accusing someone of only thinking of themselves perhaps? Maybe that person can't see to make their text bigger or do not know how to do it.


And that's a good point. I didn't know until three years in that I could make text bigger in SL. I haven't, but I know the option's there. It's good to know.

[12:48] Sxxxxxx Dxxxxx: just saying
[12:49] Sxxxxxx Dxxxxx: yeah, take it IMs and help them with preferences, this is nuts
[12:49] Rxxxx Pxxx: I don't think we are going to die over a caps lock key for a couple of simple questions.
[12:49] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: if people have problem seeing then raise the size of UI and font
[12:49] Lxx Sxxxxxxxxxx: maybe she does use that and capitals?
[12:49] Rxxxx Pxxx: Exactly [Lxx]
[12:49] Bxxxx Kxxxxxxxx: yeah, but when trying to help that person, another was told to f*** off, I wonder who is intolerant


Three guesses and the first two don't count.

[12:49] Rxxxx Pxxx: you can make the font size huge and that isn't enough for some folks
[12:49] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: seriously caps scares me


And that's another problem with typing in all caps. The most common translation for netizens is "you're yelling at me". Which is perceived as generally rude, and bad enough, but some people link yelling (for any reason) with hostility. In those cases, netizens take all caps as "please stop screaming at me, why are you angry?" Which is another problem with typing in all caps.

[12:50] Lxx Sxxxxxxxxxx: i have more problems with unreadable names most of the time
[12:50] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: everytime i see it its like people shouting
[12:50] Txxxxxxxx Mxxx: How do you raise the UI font size?
[12:50] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: preferences
[12:50] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: chat
[12:50] Rxxxx Pxxx: Well the rudeness started before the statement... and if capslock scares ya it's going to be a terrifying world the rest of your life


That's also true.

[12:50] Sxxxxxx Rxxxx: thing is, if it's thought of a person typing in caps only thinking of themselves, and doesn't want to look at it and saying to not and lower..ins't that too only thinking of "self"
[12:50] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: visuals huge
[12:51] Sxxxxxx Rxxxx: it goes both ways...
[12:51] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: chat windows font size huge
[12:51] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i don't wanna sound racist but there's a community that does it a lot online
[12:51] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and makes me not like them
[12:51] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and they do it to show off


I admit, I'm wondering what community she was thinking of, and why it might make her sound racist.

[12:52] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: in firestorm -- Avatar --Preferences -- user interface -- 2D overlay and mine is at 1.53
[12:52] Txxxxxxxx Mxxx: It worked! I can see the chat windows a bit better now.
[12:52] Sxxxxxx Dxxxxx: thank you [mxxxxxxxxxxxx]
[12:52] Txxxxxxxx Mxxx: Thank you!
[12:52] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: your welcome
[12:52] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I need glasses
[12:52] Bxxxx Kxxxxxxxxx: just saying, but didn't have any troubles reading and responding rudely to this... [12:41] Becky Koolhoven: does your keyboard comes only with caps? ;p which wasn,t in caps...


Which is another very good point. Guess it's always easier to be rude, huh?

[12:52] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: but any bigger will mess up your menus
[12:53] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: unless u got a big screen
[12:53] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I do
[12:53] Txxxxxxxx Mxxx: Is there a way to make the text bigger in notecards?


Pretty sure there is, yes.

[12:53] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: its not a good idea to raise UI
[12:53] Rxxxx Pxxx: Well someone very close to me has a problem with their eyes that the huge font sizes aren't enough. So in his presence we have to all type in caps so he can see them. I agree that most considering all caps shouting and to the average person it's difficult to read. We just have to be willing to deal with it for a small period of time once we are made aware of a situation. Just my humble opinion.
[12:53] Txxxxxxxx Mxxx: Because getting older sucks. LOL
[12:54] Rxxxx Pxxx: yes it does
[12:54] rxxxx Sxxxxx: You don't ask a blind person to "look at this'. live and let live.
[12:54] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Preferences - visuals - onscreen console font size


That's it.

[12:54] Rxxxx Pxxx: yep
[12:54] Emilly Orr: It does, but sometimes it's not a factor of age, just inability to see. I have a friend at the library, she's about twenty-two now, and legally blind. She's still a librarian.
[12:55] Rxxxx Pxxx smiles big
[12:55] Rxxxx Pxxx: Not letting a little thing like sight hold her back... that's awesome :)
[12:56] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: also... in preferences -- user interface -- font -- can also be increased.
[12:57] Txxxxxxxx Mxxx: I finally found it in the official viewer under Preferences Advanced UI size
[12:58] Rxxxx Pxxx: Thank you [mxxxxxxxxxxxx], I'm sure there are those here that appreciate it .. thank you also [Txxxxxxxx] for looking that up :)
[12:58] Txxxxxxxx Mxxx: i am much indebted to all of you
[12:59] Txxxxxxxx Mxxx: Thanks everyone :)
[12:59] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no problem, If it were not for those settings I would be squinting all the time


And honestly, even more than the sudden spate of drama, that's why I'm doing this. Because the rest of the chat did have useful tips--mostly for Firestorm, sure, but some for the official viewer, and really, between those two, anyone who needs it can likely figure out a good area to start searching on their viewers, at least.

[12:59] Rxxxx Pxxx: There are so many little features in the settings that even though I've been around since 2004, I run across new things all the time :)
[12:59] Nxxxx Rxxxxxxx:
[gave image link, image below]



[13:00] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: mine is set to huge lol
[13:00] Rxxxx Pxxx: I used to keep mine on small, not anymore LOL
[13:00] Nxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and folk won't reply as shouting so pointless asking for help from others unless you increase font size in your UI


Well, this spate of shouting did get us talking about font sizes and overlays and how to change both, so it wasn't completely useless.

[13:01] Sxxxx Bxxxx: Ummmm...seriously...quite wasting everyone's time with this...take your petty discussion elswehere...this is not the place

As compared to that statement, which pretty much is--keep in mind, this is a place that sells mesh templates for designers to use in their creations. Sometimes, helping those people see? WILL end up helping your business.

[13:01] Rxxxx Pxxx: You are welcome to close the window [Sxxxx] if it isn't helpful to you.
[13:01] Txxxxxxxx Mxxx: This is a lifechanger! I used to keep my setting at default until I needed bifocals last year.
[13:02] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ditto on what [Rxxxx] just said
[13:02] Sxxxx Bxxxx: wow....glad this is a discussion about product...goodbye
[13:02] Rxxxx Pxxx: The whole point of being in this group is to help others and find out about new Meli stuff. If you can't see what you are doing I'd say it's relevant
[13:02] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: bye
[13:03] Rxxxx Pxxx: Back to work for me, everyone have a blessed Sunday


And that was that. All in all, only two people really offended--the visually impaired person, who was far too quick to lash out in the beginning (and even her we tried to help!), and [Sxxxx], the one who couldn't see the point.

Well, [Sxxxx], this is the point. Make things easy to use. Make things easy to understand. Make things easy to see. And you'll have far more happy customers, full stop. What's hard to grasp in that?

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