Shoutbox

Hello, first post here, so hopefully I've got it in the right forum

Anyways, I think there should be an option in Plus! to allow you to use some common emphasis characters and such. You know, like everybody nowadays does. Here's what I mean:

*text* => text
_text_ => text

Very often, I use *text* to bold stuff, and _text_ to emphasize on stuff. I think it would be really neat if Plus! had an option where this would format it automagically like this. MS Word does it (even though I personally use OpenOffice.org).

Keep up the good work

There is already an option to do that. You can use the format feature. Read this tutorial to know more about it.

You can use the Ctrl + R shortcut or select some text and press Ctrl + B, or + T, etc.. to make that text get that format.

Just get used to the Ctrl + B, T, S, U, O, R, K shortcuts and use them instead of * and _

I'm aware of those, I'm a long-time Plus! user. I mean as an alternate to those. If you want to know what I mean, open MS Word and type _text_, it'll be italics. I'm not saying to change it inline, but something that doesn't require me to stick my pinky out all the way to the Ctrl key. It's easier to type something like this:

"Well, if you forgot to read the directions, there's nothing that *I* can do to help you"

Than it is to type something like this:
"Well, if you forgot to read the directions, there's nothing that <Ctrl-B>I<Ctrl-B> can do to help you"

As keystrokes, my way is hold shift, press 8, press I, press 8, release shift. Using the IRC-style combos is a bit more painful, as I have to go hold Ctrl, press B, release Ctrl, hold Shift, press I, release Shift, hold Ctrl, press B, release Ctrl.

You see, if you're like me and type at least a page a day of IMs, the Ctrl-B crap gets annoying. I find it _much_ easier to do the USENET-style thing (_emphasis_ *bold*) than the IRC-style thing (control characters). I really _can't_ get used to using the Ctrl-X shortcuts -_-.

Word Filters would work, but unfortunately, you can't have one letter word filters (unless I need to get 3.01 for it to work [I have 3.0])

You can have one letter word filters if you insert them through a .reg file. I'm not sure if the bold character will be able to be inserted that way though.

Well, what key is it?

Nevermind. HKCU\Software\Patchou\MsgPlus2\<signon>\WordFilters

And, he's smarter than I would have been.. it doesn't do a word filter on a one letter long thingy... -_-

EEW! Actually, he didn't code a "oh, so they're going in the back door!" thing.. instead... now (text) _(any letter here) (text) is now italic. Sort of the effect I wanted, but not quite ^_^

I could use __ and ** though... -_-

no, I can't :\