# The new \[del\] function - WTF? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 29, 2005, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355 "2005-06-29T13:36:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/61 "2005-06-30T01:38:37Z")
> [@Pythian Habenero](#): > > Actually I don’t think avatars are a bad idea. They aren’t necessary, but they’re nice to have. And some animated smilies really come in useful - ref. If the animated smilies were that small, it wouldn’t be so bad. I’m talking about [big ones like these](http://www.1solo.com/AnimatedSmileyFaces.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Pythian\_Habenero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@Pythian\_Habenero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythian_Habenero)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/62 "2005-06-30T01:46:23Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > If the animated smilies were that small, it wouldn’t be so bad. I’m talking about [big ones like these](http://www.1solo.com/AnimatedSmileyFaces.htm). So don’t say “animated smilies”, say “giant spasming mutants”. Otherwise I and others who are acquainted with normal, acceptable animated smilies will hear the phrase and think [:trey:](http://img299.echo.cx/img299/4213/trey8tg.gif) where you want us to think [:mutant:](http://img126.echo.cx/img126/672/maromutantanibas6ln.gif). Silly creature. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/63 "2005-06-30T15:10:15Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > It’s not a problem, really, but it’s [del]pointless[/del] rather obscure. [del]Either say what you want to say, or don’t.[/del] How often will one have the opportunity to really use it? As a way to clearly indicate where I disagree with you, this is how I’d change your post. Not entirely pointless, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/64 "2005-06-30T15:19:54Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > Don’t be to sure about that… :rolleyes: That was fucking genius. ---
**Author:** ![Pythian\_Habenero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@Pythian\_Habenero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythian_Habenero)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/65 "2005-06-30T15:30:41Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > That was fucking genius. Yes, it was highly amusing. Just you wait until invisitext becomes a widespread trend, though. After awhile you’ll be compulsively highlighting every post you read, just so sneaky posters can’t trick you and say stuff behind your back. Er. Ahem. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/66 "2005-06-30T15:37:34Z")
When I began here, I often saw people posting whooshs, then, at the bottom of the message, after a few lines of empty space, they would have the whoosh explained, in white font. It seems like a trend that occurs in waves. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/67 "2005-06-30T15:39:48Z")
Mwahahahahah!!! ---
**Author:** ![Pythian\_Habenero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@Pythian\_Habenero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythian_Habenero)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/68 "2005-06-30T15:50:24Z")
> [@Scott Plaid](#): > > When I began here, I often saw people posting whooshs, then, at the bottom of the message, after a few lines of empty space, they would have the whoosh explained, in white font. It seems like a trend that occurs in waves. > [@FinnAgain](#): > > Mwahahahahah!!! …Both of you seem to be very unobservant. It isn’t **white** , people. It’s **invisitext**. Clearly you need to learn its secrets. I’ll give you a clue: What, you really think I’d TELL you? Read my code, minions. :: sticks out tongue :: To illustrate the difference between white and invisitext, here is an example image: [::linky::](http://img280.imageshack.us/img280/541/invisitext3kh.png) ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/69 "2005-06-30T15:58:32Z")
> [@Pythian Habenero](#): > > To illustrate the difference between white and invisitext, here is an example image: [::linky::](http://img280.imageshack.us/img280/541/invisitext3kh.png) ::Homestar Runner voice:: Ohhhh, [del]weight[/del] right! I’ve got now. ---
**Author:** ![Pythian\_Habenero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@Pythian\_Habenero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythian_Habenero)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/70 "2005-06-30T16:00:53Z")
Now all you have to do is figure out how I managed to put an image of my post in my post. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Arwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Arwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arwin)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/71 "2005-06-30T16:03:18Z")
Ah, new toys! I wanna play … ! [del]practice makes prefect[/del] [invisitext]Insert your favorite sublimal message here.[/invisitext] ---
**Author:** ![Pythian\_Habenero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@Pythian\_Habenero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythian_Habenero)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/72 "2005-06-30T16:05:12Z")
Mwahahaha. My plan is complete. [invisitext]PS: This code does nothing.[/invisitext] Why does no one quote posts for code on these boards? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Arwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Arwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arwin)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/73 "2005-06-30T16:06:18Z")
> [@Arwin](#): > > Ah, new toys! I wanna play … ! > > [del]practice makes prefect[/del] > > [invisible]Insert your favorite sublimal message here.[/invisible] invisible? ---
**Author:** ![Pythian\_Habenero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@Pythian\_Habenero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythian_Habenero)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/74 "2005-06-30T16:10:07Z")
> [@Arwin](#): > > invisible? I think I’ll just leave you to figure it out on your own. Sucker. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/75 "2005-06-30T16:10:12Z")
Naw, it’s either \ or \ As for getting an image in your post… you didn’t. You linked to one. What do I win? 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Pythian\_Habenero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@Pythian\_Habenero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythian_Habenero)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/76 "2005-06-30T16:12:51Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > Naw, it’s either \ or \ > > As for getting an image in your post… you didn’t. You linked to one. What do I win? 🆒 Now really, you’re just [del]being twee[/del] misinterpreting me. I mean, if the image is an image of the post linking to the image, how did it get there? And yes, you’ve found out my secrets. Now figure out where I got it from. Yes, that invisitext was wrong on purpose. But white is even wronger. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/77 "2005-06-30T16:24:21Z")
> [@Pythian Habenero](#): > > Now really, you’re just [del]being twee[/del] misinterpreting me. Ugh. Couldn’t you have started lurking later than that worthless Pit thread? 😛 > [@Pythian Habenero](#): > > I mean, if the image is an image of the post linking to the image, how did it get there? Photoshop? > [@Pythian Habenero (color set back to normal](#): > > And yes, you’ve found out my secrets. Now figure out where I got it from. Satan? > [@Pythian Habenero (color set back to normal](#): > > Yes, that invisitext was wrong on purpose. But white is even wronger. Wrongerer. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/78 "2005-06-30T16:29:44Z")
> [@js\_africanus](#): > > As a way to clearly indicate where I disagree with you, this is how I’d change your post. > > Not entirely pointless, I guess. Well, you’ve [del]wasted your time[/del] certainly given me reason to think. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Pythian\_Habenero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@Pythian\_Habenero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythian_Habenero)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/79 "2005-06-30T16:33:53Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > Ugh. Couldn’t you have started lurking later than that worthless Pit thread? 😛 The what? The huh? > [@FinnAgain](#): > > Photoshop? Ga-buh? No, that was Microsoft Paint, silly. > [@FinnAgain](#): > > Satan? No. Satan and I had a falling-out. He seems to think it’s not the place of a small orange pepper slug to have visions of the future, especially a female one. So I smacked him across the face with a frying pan. Now he runs when I approach. Seriously, there’s a board with f5f5ff as the post background colour. I got invisitext there - it’s a serious cultural phenomenon. I also got banned from the place, but no one here needs to know that. > [@FinnAgain](#): > > Wrongerer. No, it’s “wrongerest”, of course! Dweeb. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/80 "2005-06-30T16:37:16Z")
> [@Pythian Habenero](#): > > Now really, you’re just [del]being twee[/del] misinterpreting me. > I mean, if the image is an image of the post linking to the image, how did it get there? > And yes, you’ve found out my secrets. Now figure out where I got it from. Yes, that invisitext was wrong on purpose. But white is even wronger. Either took a pic of the preview screen or set up the URL with the intention to put the picture there immediately after the post went through. Looking at this post in the preview screen, my guess is the former. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355.md?page=5)