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Special Symbols for Chat & Messaging - 5 Great Sources

March 29, 2011
Special Symbols for Chat & Messaging - 5 Great Sources

The Enduring Appeal of Symbols in Digital Communication

Despite the evolution of language from basic alphabets to sophisticated forms, the digital era has, in a way, returned us to the simplicity of symbolic expression, reminiscent of early cave paintings.

While full sentences are certainly valid, and even preferred in many contexts, certain emotions are most effectively conveyed through emoticons or symbols.

Limitations of Platforms and the Power of Unicode

Many online platforms restrict the use of graphic symbols or pictorial emoticons. Facebook serves as a notable example of this limitation.

However, this restriction shouldn't hinder more expressive communication. Even when platforms lack support for traditional smileys and emoticons, the extensive Unicode character set offers a wealth of alternatives.

Users can explore the Character Map application on their operating systems to discover and utilize these special characters, effectively creating a unique form of digital language.

Streamlining Symbolic Expression: Online Tools

Navigating the Character Map can be time-consuming. Fortunately, several online applications provide a more convenient solution.

These five readily accessible online tools eliminate the need to manually search through character maps, offering one-click access to a wider range of expressive symbols and enhancing digital interactions.

They allow for more animated and emotionally resonant communication with ease.

TwitterKeys

Despite Twitter’s character limit, which is currently around 280 characters, incorporating symbols can enhance a tweet’s visual appeal.

This tool, presented as a bookmarklet, provides an accessible online chart of Unicode characters for use within tweets.

How it Works

Users can easily select desired symbols from the available chart and integrate them into their tweets through a simple copy and paste process.

A key advantage of this method is that it doesn't require granting permissions to any external applications.

Alternative Resource

Consider exploring the Unicode Symbol Map as another valuable resource for finding and utilizing special characters.

This map offers a comprehensive collection of symbols to enrich your online communications.

Using these resources allows for creative expression within the constraints of the Twitter platform.

FBSym

With the prevalence of Twitter, the question arose as to whether similar functionality would be available on Facebook. FBSym provides a convenient collection of Unicode symbols.

This tool allows users to easily copy and paste special characters directly onto their Facebook profiles. It functions as a readily accessible chart of symbols.

How to Use

Users can simply double-click any symbol within the chart to copy it to their clipboard. Alternatively, it can be saved as a bookmarklet for quick access from a browser’s toolbar.

The utility isn't limited to Facebook; it’s also compatible with Twitter and various chat applications. However, formatting options are restricted to plain text after pasting.

As an alternative, the Twitter Symbols chart can be utilized for similar purposes.

Essentially, the pasted symbols will appear exactly as they are represented in the chart, without any additional formatting capabilities.

Facebook Symbols: A Historical Overview

This article details a resource that previously cataloged a comprehensive array of symbols and emoticon codes. These were designed for use on platforms such as Facebook, alongside other communication channels like chat applications, online forums, and MySpace messaging.

A Collection of Unicode Characters

The resource offered a meticulously assembled compilation of unique Unicode characters. The creator diligently organized these symbols into clearly defined categories for easy access.

Unicode provides a universal character encoding standard, enabling consistent text representation across different computing systems.

Additional Resources

Beyond the core symbol list, the website also provided links to several supplementary tools and collections.

  • Text Art Generators: These tools allowed users to create visually engaging designs using text characters.
  • Symbol Combinations: The site showcased creative combinations of symbols for enhanced expression on Facebook.
  • Stylized Letters: Users could find unique and decorative letter designs for use on Facebook and MSN Messenger.

It's important to note that the availability of these specific symbols and features on Facebook has evolved over time. Many of these functionalities have been superseded by more modern features like emojis and stickers.

The original resource served as a valuable guide for users seeking to personalize their online communications with distinctive characters and visual elements.

CopyPasteCharacter: A Resource for Special Characters

A diverse selection of characters is readily available for copying with just a single click. This allows for quick insertion into various digital communications.

Once a character is copied, it's automatically stored on your system's Clipboard. From there, it can be pasted into emails, chat applications, or social media platforms.

Character Information and Accessibility

Beyond simple copying, the service provides the HTML code associated with each character. This is useful for web developers or those needing to embed characters directly into code.

  • The platform offers a convenient way to enhance text-based communication.
  • It simplifies the process of finding and utilizing special symbols.

Mobile Application

To extend its usability, an iPhone app is also offered. This enables users to enrich their text messages and other communications while on the go.

The app provides the same functionality as the web service, allowing for easy access to special characters from a mobile device.

TypeIt: A Multi-Language Typing Tool

TypeIt is a Javascript application designed to facilitate typing in 18 different European languages. It provides access to unique character sets, encompassing currency symbols and a variety of other special characters.

Functionality and Usage

The application functions as a virtual, multi-language keyboard. Users can compose complete messages directly within the interface.

Once a message is created, it can be easily copied and pasted into any messaging platform or text field.

Languages are conveniently organized and accessible through side columns within the application.

Enhancing Online Communication

Incorporating symbols into your digital communications can significantly enhance their impact. It can project an air of expertise and inject a renewed sense of enjoyment into potentially mundane exchanges.

For those who believe that symbols and special characters possess considerable expressive power, several related resources have been previously explored –

  • 15 Popular Codes For Smiley Faces & Their Meanings
  • 10 Keyboard Techniques To Create Cool Symbols
  • How to Create Copyright and Trademark Symbols via Keystrokes

User Engagement

Do you consider yourself proficient with symbols? We are interested in your opinion regarding the utility of such applications for streamlining quick texting.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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