Some Questions to Spur Discussion

[Nate the Great]

Um, the official stance is right there in that link. To quote:

"Hormel Foods Corporation, the makers of SPAM luncheon meat, do not object to the Internet use of the term "spamming." However, they do ask that the capitalized word "SPAM" be reserved to refer to their product and trademark. [10] By and large, this request is obeyed in forums which discuss spam—to the extent that to write "SPAM" for "spam" brands the writer as a n00b."

It's that "n00b" that irks me. I prefer "newbie," but I'm told that there are people who use quite different definitions for the two. That's an odd thing about me. I know all about Leet, but I never use it, even though I also proudly call myself both a nerd and a geek. I guess I'm one of those "english purists." I'll rant about farther vs. further all day, and yet I still use corruptions like "till." For that matter, I still try to use the word "gal," even though I am told repeatedly that the feminine form of "guy" these days is (prepare to be shocked!) "guy." That's alliterative.

I'm still wondering whether my shazam joke was understood and dismissed or just ignored. Come on, it was a subtle joke that I was Captain Marvel! Am I preaching to an empty room, or did the joke just leave a rotten taste in people's ears? Savor that joke, why doncha?