Acronym Definitions

[Blind Guy]

Hi All;

My name REALLY is the truth, I really am blind! However, even though I can't drive, I've always loved cars (probably because I couldn't drive).
Like many, I have been reading this board since December of 2008, and though I have never been on a forum before, I have learned so much on this forum.
My wife (who is also a car enthusiast) and we have a 2010 Blue Ribbon V with AT coming (hopefully first part of June), and in reading this forum I have labored in interpreting a myriad of acronyms. This has been hard for me since being blind, I don't text, so many of the abreviations used are not familiar to me, most I've just had to figure out!
Since this forum will no doubt have many new visitors/members, and many of those who are new to the world of Prius, may find some of the acronyms specific to the Prius difficult to interpret. After some time I was able to figure out ICE, SOC, BTW, w/o along with virtually all the others, with the exception of IMO, which I am guessing is I Mean Only!
The purpose of this Thread is to encourage one of the moderators to construct a Sticky Tread that the new visitors/members could refer to for a quick definition of any given acronym.
I apologize for this being so windy, but this is the first time I have ever posted, and though navigating this forum is EXTREMELY difficult for me, since I cannot utilize a mouse, the ONLY way to move around in this forum is by use of the keyboard, I must Tab to move from one area to the next, and that restricts me from some functions.
I plan on participating in this forum regularly, but you will have to bear with me, I may not be able to respond or post very quickly.
A special Hi to Dr. Fusco, who lives in the town that borders mine (Springfield, Mo.).
Very much looking forward to chating with many of you!

David Parker (aka Blind Guy)

[jeremiah256]

David,

I like your idea for a acronym sticky. Not only are there standard internet acronyms that can be a problem (by the way, IMO means In my opinion; you'll also see IMHO or In my humble opinion), there are also issues with car specific and hybrid specific acronyms that are used here. Until either the mods add an acronym sticky or someone points out where it may already exist, just ask. I'm also new here and the regulars have been nothing but friendly and helpful.

Take care and hope you have a happy Memorial Day weekend.

Jerry

[The Electric Me]

David,

First of all, sorry but I'm not the person to ask about internet acronyms. I tend to communicate very old school, writing responses most feel are too long. I refuse to use "smileys" or "emoticons" which are commonly used bits of animation that people place within written internet posted reply to hopefully further illuminate tone or intent of message. To me, that's the work of the devil. Okay, not really but I don't like them.

I'm responding because of what you said in your first sentence. I think you have illuminated for me something that puzzled me for a long time. You said, even though you couldn't drive, you've always loved cars (probably because you couldn't drive). I had a nephew who was deaf since birth. I couldn't understand why he liked to collect antique Radio's, Record Players and Victrollas. He used to thrill at getting a "find" at a garage sale or estate sale, and then ceremoniously he would play the record player or radio and ask me how it sounded. I don't think until I read your post, I ever fully understood why he chose that avenue of hobby. Now it makes more sense. I think similar to you, his connection was because he wanted to connect with something society or physical reality said he shouldn't or couldn't.

Anyway, thanks for the insight to a behavior maybe I should of understood better. More power to you, and to my late nephew. Hope you enjoy this forum and continue to love cars.

Sorry, I suppose this is off-topic. (this is where I would place the frowning emoticon)

The Electric Me

[rcsting]

Originally Posted by Blind Guy

Hi All;

Since this forum will no doubt have many new visitors/members, and many of those who are new to the world of Prius, may find some of the acronyms specific to the Prius difficult to interpret. After some time I was able to figure out ICE, SOC, BTW, w/o along with virtually all the others, with the exception of IMO, which I am guessing is I Mean Only!

David Parker (aka Blind Guy)

IMO = In My Opinion


Hope this helps.

[efusco]

Hi David,
I'm from Nixa, right near you. Feel free to hit me up any time for Prius related questions.

We actually do have a sticky with prius specific acronyms.
http://priuschat.com/forums/knowledg...-glossary.html

It won't have things like IMO or WTF and other more universal text/blog/internet specific acronyms however.

Glad to have you aboard.

[Blind Guy]

Hey "The Electric Me";
Thanks for the response to my first, I'm trying to learn how to manage all this chat stuff!!! And YES, I understand your nephew's afinity for antique radios. hate to hear he's passed away.
Again, looking forward to chating with everyone, and seeking your assistance.
David (aka Blind Guy)

[Blind Guy]

Dr. Fusco;
Thanks for all the information you have imparted to all of us newbes, I have already learned how better to operate a hybrid, and we don't have one yet!
We may be asking many questions of you, since you seem to be the resident expert on getting the optimum fuel economy from the Prius.
Thanks Again!

David (aka Blind Guy)

[PriusLewis]

Originally Posted by The Electric Me

I refuse to use "smileys" or "emoticons" which are commonly used bits of animation that people place within written internet posted reply to hopefully further illuminate tone or intent of message. To me, that's the work of the devil. Okay, not really but I don't like them.

As a Management Scientist, I also get into human behavior and find your response fascinating. As humans our words can say one thing while our meaning says another (such as sarcasm or jokes). People utilize visual cues from the speaker to determine the actual mood of the comment. This is so ingrained in us that in the early days of the internet people invented "emoticons" using standard typewriter characters. For example, the first smily was a colon and a right parenthesis. Variations include adding a wink using a semi-colon, and a nose using a dash ;-) These faces may be on their side, but sociologists are fascianted that we, as people, so needed these cues that we invented a typed, pictoral shorthand for them.

Blind Guy, I'm sure you use voice cues to determine the "seriousness" of the comments from soneone in person. Electric Me, your nephew had to rely on visual cues alone. But in both cases, additional cues add to the communication value.

All of this said, I also thought emoticons were silly or afectations before taking a course where I learned all this. I have since given in and just relaxed over the whole issue.

Blind Guy, do you use a braille translator, or do you have some visual ability to read large print? I was wondering how the common typed smily - being the colon, dash and right parens would come across in such a translation. Obviously the literal visual cue, since it becomes a mini-drawing of a face is lost. When all else fails, we resort to acronyms, LOL (laugh ot loud). BTW, IMHO ROTFLMAO is a bit overstated, but I still use it.

[KK6PD]

Well welcome to the forum. I assume that you are using some sort of text to speech converter. Way COOL, sounds like you are going to be in the exact car my wife would love to have!!! Since you have been lurking for a while, you probably have figured out quite a bit.

Make sure your wife takes you out to a big parking lot and puts you behind the wheel. I would think that if you start off slow, and trust the wife to give directions, you should have a blast!! After all you should take some time to enjoy the feel of the car behind the wheel.

As I sit here and think about it, you are probably the only member that I have read that would appreciate the Reverse Beep feature in the car!!!

Please post some thoughts after the car arrives!

[Blind Guy]

Hi PriusLewis;


Thanks so much for responding to my Thread.
I am TOTALLY blind (have been for about the last 9 years, had SOME vision til then, so I can't use Braile, never learned it. It's really outdated in this technical world, especially with Speech Synthesis and Text to Speech, which will allow my computer to read aloud virtually anything to me, makes you a little lazy! However, my wife and I retired from sales of Low Vision products (Electronic Magnifiers) to Low Vision individuals.
And for the animated characters, the software will ONLY ASCI text characters, the software does read things like, LOL" and "Roll Eyes"!
David (aka Blind Guy)