NO 'SPECIAL CHARACTERS' IF YOU PLEASE! - Tim Ryerson's Blog

Does anyone know why-in-the-HECK PS does not allow 'special characters' in poem titles anymore? I know for a fact that they used too! I have gone back to some of my old poems to edit and guess what? Yep, those nasty, scolding little red letters! To me the poem title is critical...It's what captures the reader's attention and introduces the poem...MANY times, I have had to change the title of a poem because I could not use a freekin question or exclamation mark!! Hear's how crazy it is...You can use hyphens but only at the END of the title. Apostrophies are not allowed for certain slang purposes and an ellipsis (dot-dot-dot) is a BIG no-no!
I'm sure PS has a sensible explantion for this new rule and I sure wish the would enlighten this big dummy!
Okay that's all...

Eileen Manassian Date: 9/3/2013 3:54:00 AM TIM.....Your response to my post is a work of ART!!!!!! Loved it!!!! You da man! Login to Reply

Nette Onclaud Date: 8/30/2013 2:35:00 PM if other sites can do it like a few mentioned below, why can't we?... arghh, calling TPS again!..:) huggs Login to Reply

Charmaine Chircop Date: 8/29/2013 2:45:00 PM I wish to be able and write the title as i feel to..but i guess its d way it goes Tim Login to Reply

Adam Hapworth Date: 8/28/2013 8:09:00 AM My assumption (without knowing specifics, but based on my profession and knowledge) is that they are trying to avoid what is known as SQL injection. This is where a person constructs the title in a way to do damage to the underlying database. A few -- and a ; could wreck havoc on all of PoetrySoup. It may be an inconvenience of formatting but in the grand scheme of things its a simple concession. Login to Reply Adam Hapworth Date: 8/28/2013 1:41:00 PM Again pure speculation here. There are different types of data elements that are managed differently behind the scenes. Sometimes it is simply easier to not allow something than it is to rework the internals to avoid the consequence. It really depends on the guts of the site as to how the "simple" text field is managed and controlled Adam Hapworth Date: 8/28/2013 1:41:00 PM Also it maybe that the other sites are not as concerned as the staff at PoetrySoup that they may fall for this kind of “attack” Tim Ryerson Date: 8/28/2013 1:28:00 PM Many thanks Adam for this explanation, which makes sense to me...As Chris mentioned I still wonder why other sites allow this and why you are allowed to use those charactars in the body of the poem but not in the title...

Tim Ryerson Date: 8/27/2013 3:29:00 PM To Team Poetry Soup: I know you have commented on blogs in the past...Will you not do so now?...Not trying to be an A-hole here!...It's apparent that I and quite a few others just want a simple explaination... Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 8/27/2013 2:16:00 PM I SO support this blog!!! Not being able to use a question mark or apostrophe in a title . UGGGGG Login to Reply

Mr Haiku Fanatic Date: 8/27/2013 9:27:00 AM Recently I have submitted a Haiku titled "Eve's Serpent" - I had to make do with "Eves Serpent" Which of course is a different meaning. But there you are who am I to criticise? Login to Reply

Poet Destroyer A Date: 8/27/2013 9:23:00 AM yes, GURRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Login to Reply

Carrie Richards Date: 8/27/2013 9:18:00 AM I've had issues with that too, Tim. And yes........the title can make such a difference in the reader's first glimpse of what you are trying to say. For instance, a title that tries to impart the feelings of doubt, or searching answers, will not allow you to use a question mark.... dang! That is so frustrating.... and to revise or edit a poem that had a question mark in the title, will not let you leave it there upon submission once again..... Grrrrrr is right!! Login to Reply

Eileen Manassian Date: 8/27/2013 6:54:00 AM TIM!!! If I could blog...this would be MY BLOG! Seriously!!! What is up with that???? I can't tell you how upset it gets me to have to change a title to one that is less appealing JUST so I don't use "special characters" GRRRRRRRR....You tell 'em! Ooooops..that was an apostrophe...dear me..the heaven's will fall...ooooopppps another one..AND ellipsis! I'm in for it! HUGSSSSSSSS! :) Login to Reply Tim Ryerson Date: 8/28/2013 9:01:00 PM From the offices of Team Poetry Soup...Dear Ms Ghali: We regret to inform you that you are now and here-to-forever and ever banished from this site because of your blatant use of forbidden characters... In our opinion, you are trying to be a character and have no character...PS: Please disregard our above use of elipsisesesizms

Skat A Date: 8/26/2013 8:46:00 PM it's called cry babies Tim, if I told you why you would never believe the reason they removed the special characters. I hate forcing a second name on the SKAT account.. why Can't I just be SKAT... :-) SKATTY Login to Reply Tim Ryerson Date: 8/26/2013 9:01:00 PM Soup mail me if they haven't banned that too! Tim Ryerson Date: 8/26/2013 8:54:00 PM Well SKAT, please tell me why!