Gripe

[jmtorres]

Dear flist:

This actually does not apply to most of you, actually, just people in comms I read who are likely to never see this. But it pains me, and I need to complain. ETA: Actually, this is not true. I am working on a pinch-hit and this is procrastination. /ETA

A link is not a "fake cut."

Repeat after me.

A link is not a "fake cut."

A link is a link.

A "fake cut" is a link that has been doctored to look like a lj-cut even though it is not.

There are two things you have to do to make a "fake cut."

1. Firstly, put parentheses around your link.
   
2. Secondly, bold the entire thing, parentheses and link.

There are a few ways to fuck up a "fake link."

1. The parentheses are not part of the link.
   
2. The parentheses do have to be bolded.
   
3. The whole thing does have to be bolded.
   
4. There should be a space between the parenthesis and the text of the link on either side.
   
5. IF YOU DO NOT BOLD AND INCLUDE PARENTHESES, IT IS NOT A FAKE CUT, IT IS JUST A LINK.

There is nothing wrong with using links. In fact, you should use links, probably more often than you use "fake cuts." Links are fine. In fact, you should just give up trying to use "fake cuts" because you don't even know what they are and your html skills are such that you didn't even write hrefs for the links, you have something in your journal program that you tell a url to and it makes the html for you. Links are good. Links are you friends.

It's a goddamn link.

Furthermore, you shouldn't have to tell people what it is. If it's a "fake cut," they'll figure it out when they click it. They can see it's a link by looking at it.

If you have to say "These are fake cuts!" you have ruined all the cleverness intrinsic in the "fake cut."

Use a link. A plain old regular link.

Don't tell anyone it's a link. That'll be our secret.

Love,
Jul

Comments

[zortified.livejournal.com]

If I could insert this rant into the head of every single LJ user I would be so happy.

There would be tears of joy.

[helleboredoll.livejournal.com]

Ahahahaahha! And to think I almost used a 'fake cut' and announced it as such just earlier this evening. Thank goodness I got lazy and just went with a plain old link, although the link text does read 'outside link'. ;)

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

Hee. *grins*

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

*gasp of shock and horror*

[thornsilver]

:)

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

Akabane-san! *squeal*

[elrond50.livejournal.com]

THANK YOU!

That crap is annoying!

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

Hee.

[thermidor.livejournal.com]

THANKS!

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

*snerk* You're welcome?

[thermidor.livejournal.com]

I am not frequently moved to capslock, but that did it. You rock!

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

*grins* Yay!

[sorion.livejournal.com]

Ha! Lots of "fake cuts" around my comms... XD

I guess the kids just find it amusing ^_~ I don't know why they find it amusing but, obviously, the do.

Personally, I just don't care... ^-^'''

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

They are everywhere!

*shifty eyes*

Run away!

[purple-shoes.livejournal.com]

That's one of my huge pet peeves. I hope when they write a LiveJournal for Dummies they add in this bit... I'm still trying to figure out what planet decided that link = fake lj cut in the first place? It's like a alcohol induced typo that caught on.

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

Dude, I don't know. I think it's something that happened because people don't understand links.

[purple-shoes.livejournal.com]

Maybe because "fake LJ cut" sounds so much cooler? Even when it's not?

::boggles::

I posted this is my LJ by the way. Because it should be known.

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

I saw! Heh. Thanks. I think.

[copracat]

Why do people do that? What is the cult of the fake cut, anyway?

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

I don't know! It's terrible!

[green-fae.livejournal.com]

Dude, I have always wondered what was with "Follow the fake lj cut"!!!!OMG111!!!
I admit I do not have the "mad html skillz",
but if you know the difference, there is no point in announcing it as such.
The others who know the difference will think you are a tool,
and those who don't...
well they'll think you are a tool as well. :P

Can I post your rant (with credit) in my lj?

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

Hee, sure! The entry's unlocked, too, so you can link if you like.

Or even fake cut. That would be hilarious.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

[mercuriosity.livejournal.com]

Hee! What's wrong with regular old links, anyway? What's so cool about using fake cuts? I really don't understand the fad.

This also reminds me of one of my biggest pet peeves, which is the popular usage of the term "prequel" to mean "any work that has a sequel". Argh!

Re: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

Damn you, George Lucas, for bringing that one into the vernacular!

[stickmarionette.livejournal.com]

*laughs* I am guilty of fake cuts, but after a similar rant by anax a while ago I now use 'accurate' ones, bold tag and all. XD

[mistressrenet.livejournal.com]

I have never understood why people would go to the trouble of making fake cuts. I mean, yes, I'm lazy but... I don't get it.

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

Yay, the power of education?

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

Yeah, me neither, really. But the thing that bugs me is the people who don't go to the trouble but claim an ordinary link is a fake cut. Oh, that burns me.

Or even fake cut. That would be hilarious.

[green-fae.livejournal.com]

Done. :)
I am now wise in the ways of cuts, links and fake cuts.
...and I still don't get the fake cut cult phenomenon.

Re: Or even fake cut. That would be hilarious.

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

*snicker* Cute.

[stickmarionette.livejournal.com]

The power of Rant.

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

Heh.

[sparklebutch.livejournal.com]

That post should probably be in the livejournal.com front page along with "create journal" and so on.

[jmtorres.livejournal.com]

Heh. *G*