Typing quirks
Some robotkin individuals use typing quirks as part of their robotic self-expression.
These quirks can range from simple formatting changes to wholesale replacement of letters, words and language concepts.
Typing quirks should not be confused with using robot-friendly language.
Examples of robotkin typing quirks
Formatting quirks include formatting text in monospace text, similar to code. In contexts that allow it, this may include text being syntax highlighted similar to code editors.
Another simple quirk is to prefix messages with characters to make them resemble the input or output of computer systems, such as a right-pointing chevron, dollar sign (as per a Bash shell), or numbers (akin to the BASIC programming language). These may incorporate other features of online messaging, such as tone indicators.
More disruptive quirks include leetspeak, where individual letters within words are replaced with visually similar numbers and symbols.
Messages may be encoded into formats usually intended for machine interpretation, such as binary or hexadecimal.
Accessibility
Users of typing quirks should be aware that they can often render text difficult to read for others. This may be exacerbated for individuals with dyslexia and learning disabilities.
Typing quirks that change letters or words will also affect the ability for accessibility tools, such as screen readers, to coherently understand and announce text.
It is considered courteous for users of typing quirks to provide a plain language version of their text if requested.