check out the history of the internet language: 'l33t'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A787917

and they even have a japanese comic with the language of l33t

http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=9/

with its famous: "do you speak l337?"

I am fighting a seemingly loosing battle with all of the 11 and 12 year olds who attempt to fit into the computer culture as they see it. It aggravates me beyond belief when I see people use 'u' in place of 'you' and other foolish things like that.

In short: I. Hate. It.

"It had almost disappeared from gaming entirely. However, a very popular web comic called Megatokyo brought l33t speak into mainstream with its infamous speak l33t? comic."

Haha, right.

1f j00 d0n7 l1k3 17, r3d c4c7u5, d0n7 r3pl`/. 0r 1'll 5m4ck `/4!!

1337 and using "u" for you and "2" for to, "b" for be and "4" for "for" are entirely different. One is a studied program in translating the internet for the purposes of mutual incomprehensibility, while the other is simple laziness.

Actually, I think that shortening word to a single letter or a short group of letters has much more to do with SMS messageing than internet culture.

of the shorthand/proper difference:

Capitalization is the difference between "I had to help my Uncle Jack off a horse.." and "I had to help my uncle jack off a horse.."

http://bash.org/?367896

Quote your sources people.

The thing that pisses me off way more than any 1337 speak, or 'u' sort of shorthand is when people use "your" and "you're" interchangeably.
If you do this, PLEASE STOP.

So, for the dumb people...

.:: YOUR
Usage: When referring to a person's belonging(s)
Example: "OMGWTFBBQ! Your house is on fire!"

.:: YOU'RE
Usage: Short for "You Are".
Example: "OMGWTFBBQ! You're a speaking asteroid!"

rogue: except that it wasn't my source, sure. Got it off ICQ the other day.

Many of the short versions 4 for 2 too u you etc etc are taken from amateur radio Morse code and predate modern computers and mobile phones. They have merely been incorporated for the same reason - speed.
133t 5p33k is entirely different as Citshman said 'mutual incomprehensibility'

Speaking as an amateur radio operator, I can honestly say, "WTF?" I have *never* seen that done, and the only time I can think of it being used is possibly in urgent messages.

Pyro r u getting any QRM, shall i snd u and your yl a QSL ?
Whats your QTH?
QRZ ?

From M0DMB

Northern Midwest? :P

Anywho, I suppose it's possible, but I haven't seen it so far... I'd personally avoid it, but that's mainly because I can't stand it when people do it on the internet...

73, KB1EIP

*prods Incarnate to get his General*

Edit: Wait a minute, M? *flips through logbook* Ohhhh, England...

Edit (2): Oh, and I don't have a girlfriend, Omega. :P

do this mean i can call you Joe ? or do you prefer JR ?

You looked up my name on QRZ, didn't you?

ummmm no.... lol

so have another 145 ppl apparently

145? Whoa... Last time I checked, it was at something like 12, and half of those were me... :P

Military radio use in all its brilliance allows us to abbreviate phrases into acronyms that are longer (when using the phonetic alphabet) than the original phrase was.

Papa two Alpha Sierra Alpha Tango Tango.
Post two all secure at this time.

Tango Charlie
Time Check
(no one really does a time check, this is to tell warn next post that the Captain of the guard is making the rounds so wake up quick)

Lima Tango Delta
Load the Dragon
(Marine Corp slang for bomb the $%@! out of my position ASAP, don't worry I won't be there)