Bear Codes, Hanky Codes, Etc.

I wasn't offended by Lex's answer because it was in depth and well, a little too complicated for my mind, but it gave me a little understanding into this whole subculture. I am offended by Kink's answer because it's not given with any type of education in mind, as Lex's was, but just given with anger. I know that people are mad about being repressed and hated, but don't go about trying to shove stuff down my throat by screaming about it, do it by trying to explain yourself in a way that tries to explain a little gentler. You never heard Ghandi or Martin Luther King, Jr. ever start off a conversation with "excuse me all to hell!" That immediately makes me tune out and not care about anything you have to say.

b0 f+ t++ w cD g+ k+ s+(+) m e r+ p q---

Bear codes are supposed to make communication easier? Wow.

However, I can see the fun in creating your own code-- I guess it's a way of describing who you think you are and what interests you. So, in the spirit of having some fun (although I wouldn't describe myself as a bear...), here's mine:

B0 F+ T+ k- s- e++ f-

Hmm. I just find all of this interesting, because, well, I just do! :D I think he put it up here to clear things up, and for anyone wishing to try it, then they could! :D

BTW, I'mb0 f-- t++ w-- c+ d- g- k-- s-- m e++ r p++ q
(I'm not gay, but I'm rather feminine :)) :D

No, it doesn't make you gay. It is used by gay men, but it isn't limited to gay men.

Believe it: They served that purpose for a number of years. The Bear Codes originated in 1991, which predates the World Wide Web. At that time, folks had to connect using 1200 baud modems, and even small images took several minutes to download. Even if you were willing to invest the time in downloading pictures -- few were available. Digital cameras did not exist as a consumer product yet (the technology was too expensive for amateur use), and few homes had image scanners.

The Bear Code allowed people to tersely convey visual information -- height, weight, facial hair, furriness, endowment -- in a single line of text. (Mannerisms -- k, s, g, r, etc. -- were added to the Bear Code later. 'c' and 'd' may have been in the original code.) This was amazingly efficient for the time. Today, it seems kind of antiquated -- Lex's avatar tells me so much more about him than his bear code does.

I know. I was just having fun with *you*... :D:D:D:D

Is that so Mindseye? What does it tell you? You might be surprised...

I'll admit it now...I'm a geek and this is fun to me. And just for random amusement:

b0, f, t+, w--, dc, g-, k, s-, m, e+, r-

I never knew that all of these signals existed....learn somethin new everyday :)

WOW! I don't measure up when compared to Ghandi or MLK,Jr. I'll take that, proudly.

A few posts back, I believe someone said that it is okay for straight guys to try the code. I'm straight and here is mine:

B6f+w+dk-s--m++e+r+

I don't get the whole thing with the hankys...

It is all spelled out in great detail in the secret handbook. Which we keep next to our agenda.