Barry,
you are truly a wicked person. I will be saving some of those for appropriate use ; ) <--- note special graphic smiley evasion technique
The issue is not smileys in posts, folks. Just in the reply/create screen where it looks like a rabid hamsterdance is going on the whole time you're trying to enter a post.
Carl,
thanks for the suggestion. I already get the quick-reply option showing up (I think it was on by default when I signed up); I'll try using the quick reply option. I learned my emoticons in a text environment, and prefer their efficiency and brevity, though I understand your point about using them to clarify the tone of a post.
4Cruizn,
suggestion for board update; the ability to disable the smiley display on topic create/reply, please!