as for killerwatt sorry mate but i have noticed that any comment in genral chat that has been meant as a joke you kick off with words like what a idiot or however you put it
Perhaps if people used emoticons to help give a clue as to how their comment is meant, it would save a lot of confusion.
When we (humans) communicate with each other, we rely on a number of parameters (ie, tone of voice, body language, facial features, etc) being present to help us interpret what the other person actually means.
We rely so heavily on these parameters in fact, that only 7% of what the other person says is used to decide what they actually mean.....so in forum land, we are missing 93% of the data we normally rely on.
As an example, I could say "get the f**k outta here" and it could have several meanings based on how I say it to you.
If I said it with a smile on my face, while giving you a nudge with an elbow as well as a wink from an eye....you would know immediately that it actually means I'm having a laugh and I find your joke funny.
However, if I said it through clenched teeth with a contorted face and a voice that was 2 octaves lower than normal...you would know immediately that I am not happy with you.
Can you see how much room there is for error if people don't use emoticons or make it plainly clear in their posts exactly what they mean now?