The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsNAVY NO LONGER COMMUNICATE IN ALL CAPS
NOW HEAR THIS: THE U.S. NAVY WILL NO LONGER COMMUNICATE EXCLUSIVELY IN ALL CAPS.
THE TRADITION OF USING ALL CAPITAL LETTERS IS A LEGACY OF TELETYPE MACHINES OF 1850S THAT LACK LOWERCASE LETTERS. OFFICIAL NAVY COMMUNICATIONS AND ORDERS HAVE BEEN TYPED OUT IN ALL-CAPS SINCE THE 19TH CENTURY, BUT YOUNGER SAILORS SEE IT AS RUDE.
WHILE THIS DECISION WAS MADE TO SAVE MONEY AND GAIN EFFICIENCIES, IF AN ANCILLARY BENEFIT IS THAT SAILORS READING MESSAGE TRAFFIC NO LONGER FEEL THEYRE BEING SCREAMED AT
THATS A GOOD THING TOO, SAID A NAVY OFFICIAL.
IRONICALLY, THE ORDER WAS - YOU GUESSED IT - WRITTEN OUT IN ALL CAPS.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324049504578541813637044462.html
TheMadMonk
(6,187 posts)pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)Locut0s
(6,154 posts)In many areas they are of course the leaders in developing new technologies, at least where killing is involved But when it comes to data communications, computers and the like they can be startlingly out of date.