'Smilies' are small graphical images that can be used to convey an emotion or feeling.
If you have used email or internet chat, you are likely familiar with the ÊÑÅѡɳìáÊ´§ÍÒÃÁ³ìconcept.
Certain standard strings are automatically converted into smilies.
Try twisting your head on one side if you do not 'get' smilies;
using a bit of imagination should reveal a face of some description.
If you want to disable smilies in a post that you make, you can select the 'Disable Smilies' option
when posting. This is particularly useful if you are posting program code and you do not
want ;) converted to a ÊÑÅѡɳìáÊ´§ÍÒÃÁ³ìface!