[Mrluvaluva]

Chatting in the virtual world of the internet has disadvantages. One being that you cannot see the other persons expressions. Another being you cannot hear the tone of their voice. Sayng lol of PMSL for example shows others that you are laughing at their post. Using a smilie works equally well. I may reply to someone, for instance, and say "what an idiot"! Putting lol after this or using a laughing smilie, shows I am saying it in jest, and not in a serious way. Without doing this, other members could misinterpret what I was actually saying.