[QUOTE=Jim from Boston;15846504Personally, I tend to write long posts...[/QUOTE]

I try to keep my posts as short as possible.

I don't have the time or patience to read long posts and tend to skim them. I know that doesn't do justice to the writer, but I'd be here all day if I were to read every long post properly.

I assume others have the same time constraints - so to (try to) make my posts easy to read:
- I keep 'em short, and
- I use many paragraph breaks.

And - I think Smilies are valid in a forum environment. They communicate expression very well, while keeping the posts brief.