- a smile - generally used to indicate amusement, or that a comment is intended to be funny or ironic
Posted by Ian E-N on December 24, 2002 at 20:23:51 from 213.122.69.56 user IanEN.
In Reply to: Re: Patience isn't the only virtue posted by Peter H on December 24, 2002 at 16:58:18:
er, Ian E-N, if you've got a moment over Christmas . .
if one searches on the web for emoticons one soon begins to see that people have become carried away ... but there are three main ones generally understood
:-) or :)
- a smile - generally used to indicate amusement, or that a comment is intended to be funny or ironic
;-) or ;) 
- a smiley wink - usually indicates that something should be taken "with a grain of salt".
:-( or 
- a frown - generally used to express disappointment or sorrow.
[ in part cribbed from The Scotland On Line Guide To Netiquette ]
now back to trying to wriggle into the santa suit.