Close Text Formatting Tags
 

Special Characters

These tags stand on their own (they require no 'end' tag) and may be contained in styled or block quoted text.
 
\n New line (not needed before a blank line or paragraph)
\p Paragraph indent
\- Dash ("  ")
\\ Backslash ("\")
\& Ampersand ("&"), short for &
\_ Non-break space (" "), short for  
 

Character Styles

A section of text can be styled with one of the following tags. The style is ended with "\end". Styles may be nested but can not contain block quoted text nor hidden text.
 
\sm Small (quite useful for SMALL CAPS)
\sup Superscript
\sub Subscript
\i Italics
\b Bold
\tt Teletype (monospaced font). "&" and "\" are not 'escape' characters as usual.
 

Blocks

Like character styles, blocks are terminated with "\end". Blocks can contain styled text and other blocks.
 
\q Quoted from another patient
\x Excerpt from a book, say
\c Centred text (cannot contain quoted text. That would be messy.)
\h Hidden text for spoilers or answers to puzzles
\oops Marks all preceding text as 'retracted'. This tag is special in that it cannot be contained within any other tagged block. The effect of this tag runs to the end of the message (or up to the next "\oops"). No "\end" is required or permitted.
 

Quoting a Patient in Reply

When quoting another patient, begin the blcok of quoted text with "\q" and end it with "\end". It's a good idea to have the patient's name followed by a colon (":") precede the quote like this:

In the Editor    Posted Message
Mr Flibble:\q
  One, two, three,
  four\n
  Can I have a little
  more?
\end

Haven't you had enough
drugs?
Mr Flibble:
One, two, three, four
Can I have a little more?
Haven't you had enough drugs?

The indenting spaces that appear in the editor have no effect on the appearance of the posted message. The spaces are simply there to make the quoted text stand out in the editor; you don't have to preserve them.

Quotes can be nested, though sequential quotes often produce a pleasing layout, like a script for a play.

This kind of quoted text is indented only from the left margin. This is to save screen space, especially with nested quotes. By default, the quoted text is displayed in a manner that probably appears as italics on your browser. If you don't like seeing quoted text as great wodges of <CITE>ed text, you can turn off this feature from your options page.


Presenting an Excerpt From a Book

When quoting something someone said in a book, simply begin the quote with "\x" and it with "\end". To indicate the source of the quote, insert "\src" and the name of the author before the "\end" tag that ends the block of quoted text.

In the Editor    Posted Message
Many people would have read or heard what Arthur C. Clarke's said about technology and magic. This quote is more interesting:

   \xAny technology
distinguishable from magic
   is insufficiently advanced.
   \srcNot Arthur C. Clarke\end

Many people would have read or heard what Arthur C. Clarke's said about technology and magic. This quote is more interesting:
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
    Not Arthur C. Clarke

In the traditional style, the excerpt is indented from both the left and right margins.


Hidden Text

Answers to puzzles or spoilers for movies can be hidden from the reader. The hidden text will be displayed in the same colour as the background and set in a frame. The user can read the text by highlighting the text with the mouse.

In the Editor    Posted Message
Spoiler:
\h
Romeo and Juliet both
die at the end.
\end
 
Spoiler:
Romeo and Juliet both
die at the end.