Technology Things That Annoy Me

This week I was alerted to this very funny cartoon that outlines Ten Things You Need To Stop Tweeting About.  At some time or another, I have violated this list but to me there is much less stringent set of approved social norms on Twitter than other social media.  This got me to thinking about some other uses of technology that aggravate me and I was able to come up with a few of them for your reading enjoyment.

Misuse of Facebook Profile Picture

This one is one of my largest peeves.  Your Facebook profile is YOUR Facebook profile, so how about we don’t post picture of your kid, your dog, a group of people that happens to include you, or some abstract photo that shows only the lower 1/8th of your chin fold.  None of these things help me determine whether or not I know who you are after 10 years.  Only mildly less annoying is those of you that dug out a hilarious photo of you at the age of four years old in a cowboy hat or naked in a bathtub.  Again, unless I knew you when you were four this does very little to help me figure out if I know you or not.

Now, for those of you that are in violation of this one (and there are some of you) I’m not mad at you (especially if I’ve had recent contact with you).  However, if you’re adding me and I haven’t seen you since High School these type of photos do not help at all.

Poor Chatting/Texting Etiquette

I know I’m in the old, codgery minority here, but I abhor anyone that uses the common teenage texting habits of massive abbreviations and disemvoweling words to make them fit.  It’s incomprehensible, immature, and stupid.  The stupid multiplier gets higher the older you are.  Spelling is a gift, people.

As far as chatting goes, I’m a lot more forgiving.  It’s immediate feedback, I don’t expect your spelling or grammar to be anywhere near perfect.  The biggest thing that gets on my nerves are people that assume they are bothering me.  If I’m not marked as Away, you’re free to chat as long as you want.  If I’m doing something else, I’ll tell you.  Also, if I’m doing something else or not replying immediately, pinging me with repeated questions about whether or not I’m there is annoying… sometimes a guy has to take a chat break to go to the bathroom or get a soda.

Email Forwarding and Comic Sans

This one is a common offender from many different people… if your mail program has marked something as SPAM don’t forward it to me, no matter how funny you think it is.  Also, anything written in Comic Sans font does not bear repeating no matter how poignant, relevant, or funny.  I would rather it get re-typed in a non-hideous font and sent my way if you think the email is that great.  Comic Sans is one of the biggest abominations plaguing the online and offline world.

Don’t Worry, This Isn’t Aimed At You

That’s right, this post wasn’t aimed at you, gentle reader.  These observations have been collected over recent months and years, and I’m not mad at anyone specifically.  Back in the day, Wired Magazine used to post articles outlining appropriate use of these emerging technologies… I wish the evening news carried THOSE so everyone can learn more.

I’m sure there are other examples, if they come to me I will do a follow up to this post later.