Forums - even with the inclusion of smileys - are not the place for subtleties etc. So many signals are picked up visually and aurally in communication that I think I read somewhere that the printed word can only contribute a couple of percent to the information we take in during conversation.

With Voice Over Internet now becoming commonplace and the free service from Skype, why aren't we utilising that technology amongst the F16 sailors? All we'd need to do is send out some PMs'to make sure that people have our Skype addresses and we could actually talk to each other Apparently we can even set up conference calls.

On the other hand, we might be better off remaining in ignorance

I'll get me coat then......

(last comment for UK readers)