☆ ☎ ☞ ♀ ♂ ♥ ♠ ♬ ♨ ▣ ● ◆
Then show off your interests, and personality, with icons like these!
You may also use icons:
♣ To add some pizzaz to your Gather display name.
♣ As unique bullets in lists or paragraph lead-ins.
♣ In Gather mail subject lines, to distinguish your message from others.
♣ In comments, to emphasize a point, share a mood, or just for fun.
Note: Almost all browsers support the display of these characters. However, some old browser configurations, and those with unique international settings, may not display them accurately.
The Basics
All characters on computer keyboards have hidden numerical 'codes' which computers interpret as unique letters, numbers or symbols. These codes are commonly referred to as 'Unicodes', as they are universal in their use and acceptance (well, almost). For example, when you type the letter 'A' on your keyboard, the computer 'sees' this letter as the number 65. To talk to the computer in it's own language, you could also enter this number, along with a special prefix, into an article title, and the result would be an 'A'. The prefix used for all unicodes is &#. This prefix tells your computer that the number which follows should be converted to a character or symbol.
In our example above, the letter 'A' could also be written as &# 65;
A semi-colon should be added at the end of each unicode. This lets the computer know when the unicode ends, and regular text, or a new unicode begins. This allows you to place unicodes next to each other, or to use them seamlessly with normal text, like this:
I really ♥ that movie! -- and -- I really l♥v that movie!
Would be written as:
I really ♥ that movie! -- and -- I really l♥v that movie!
In addition to the letters, numbers and symbols on your keyboard, there are thousands of other characters available, including the ones displayed at the top of this article, and in the article title. You only need to enter the correct code to display them. Basic ones, like copyright symbols ©, can be directly pasted from MSWord, AppleWorks, or other programs. However, most symbols require that a unicode be entered (and the results on Gather will be more predictable).
Let's Get Started
Things you need to know:
The prefix... &#
The unicode number for the desired symbol or character... (see chart below).
The separator... ;
And that's it!
A Few Tips
There is also a unicode which represents a blank space. This is important as many input areas of Gather (article titles, mail messages, comments, etc.) remove blank spaces automatically. Therefore, you are unable to space letters, words or phrases A P A R T, when you desire to do so. Using the unicode of 160 will force one blank space. For more space, enter (or paste) the code multiple times. Don't forget the semi-colon after each code!
Unicodes work well within all areas of Gather. However, when using codes in the body of an article (like I have here), be careful when editing the article in Gather after publication. Unicodes in article titles are unaffected, but codes in the body of an article sometimes do not handle re-editing well, and you may need to re-enter the code. It is always a good idea to create, and edit, articles outside of Gather anyway. This also eliminates the potential problem, and allows you to format the codes by increasing their size, or adding other formatting like bolding.
Don't overdo it. Usually a subtle and judicious use of symbols will garner more positive attention. Too much, and you may turn off, and turn away, potential readers and commenters.
Display results will vary depending upon the resolution of your computer monitor or screen.
The Unicode List
There are many unicode lists freely available on the web. Many of the websites containing these lists however are difficult to navigate without strong knowledge of the subject, or are incomplete. I provide a link to a fairly comprehensive one at the bottom of this article. See my notes accompanying the link.
This list represents a very small portion of what is available. However, I consider many of these codes to be among the most useful, and the most universally accepted. Newer browsers like Firefox and Internet Explorer 7.0, can display a much larger range of symbols and special characters (see them HERE). However, only the unicodes listed below should be used on Gather, as many Gather members may not be using newer browser technology. I apologize for the rather chaotic formatting, but Gather does not provide many options for displaying information in neatly aligned columns or tables (yet, I hope).
If any of the symbols below appear blank, or display as a question mark (?), or a square, this indicates that your internet browser does not recognize that character. In that event, I would suggest updating your browser software.
The 'Standards'
Blank Space = 160
† = 134 ™ = 153
¢ = 162 £ = 163
¤ = 164 © = 169
« = 171 ® = 174
¯ = 175 ° = 176
± = 177 ² = 178
³ = 179 ¶ = 182
· = 183 ¹ = 185
º = 186 » = 187
¼ = 188 ½ = 189
¾ = 190 ¿ = 191
Just for Fun
★ = 9733 ☆ = 9734
☉ = 9737 ☎ = 9742
☏ = 9743 ☜ = 9756
☞ = 9758 ♀ = 9792
♂ = 9794 ♠ = 9824
♡ = 9825 ♣ = 9827
♤ = 9828 ♥ = 9829
♧ = 9831 ♨ = 9832
♩ = 9833 ♪ = 9834
♬ = 9836 ♭ = 9837
♯ = 9839
Arrows
← = 8592 ↑ = 8593
→ = 8594 ↓ = 8595
↔ = 8596 ↕ = 8597
↖ = 8598 ↗ = 8599
↘ = 8600 ↙ = 8601
⇒ = 8658 ⇔ = 8660
Bullets
① = 9312 ② = 9313
③ = 9314 ④ = 9315
⑤ = 9316 ⑥ = 9317
⑦ = 9318 ⑧ = 9319
⑨ = 9320 ⑩ = 9321
⑪ = 9322 ⑫ = 9323
⑬ = 9324 ⑭ = 9325
⑮ = 9326 ⑯ = 9327
⑰ = 9328 ⑱ = 9329
⑲ = 9330 ⑳ = 9331
ⓐ = 9424 ⓑ = 9425
ⓒ = 9426 ⓓ = 9427
ⓔ = 9428 ⓕ = 9429
ⓖ = 9430 ⓗ = 9431
ⓘ = 9432 ⓙ = 9433
ⓚ = 9434 ⓛ = 9435
ⓜ = 9436 ⓝ = 9437
ⓞ = 9438 ⓟ = 9439
ⓠ = 9440 ⓡ = 9441
ⓢ = 9442 ⓣ = 9443
ⓤ = 9444 ⓥ = 9445
ⓦ = 9446 ⓧ = 9447
ⓨ = 9448 ⓩ = 9449
▁ = 9601 ▂ = 9602
▃ = 9603 ▄ = 9604
▅ = 9605 ▆ = 9606
▇ = 9607 █ = 9608
▉ = 9609 ▊ = 9610
▋ = 9611 ▌ = 9612
▍ = 9613 ▎ = 9614
▏ = 9615 ▒ = 9618
▓ = 9619 ■ = 9632
□ = 9633 ▣ = 9635
▤ = 9636 ▥ = 9637
▦ = 9638 ▧ = 9639
▨ = 9640 ▩ = 9641
▪ = 9642 ▫ = 9643
▲ = 9650 △ = 9651
▶ = 9654 ▷ = 9655
▼ = 9660 ▽ = 9661
◀ = 9664 ◁ = 9665
◆ = 9670 ◇ = 9671
◈ = 9672 ◊ = 9674
○ = 9675 ◎ = 9678
● = 9679 ◐ = 9680
◑ = 9681 ◢ = 9698
◣ = 9699 ◤ = 9700
◥ = 9701 ◦ = 9702
Fraction Action
⅓ = 8531
⅔ = 8532
⅛ = 8539
⅜ = 8540
⅝ = 8541
⅞ = 8542
Alan Wood's Unicode Resources
Please note that this link will take you to a sample page for many available character/symbol groups. Scroll through the list, and click on the character set you are most interested in. Some symbols appear as a question mark (?). This indicates that your web browser does not support that font, or character.
Displayed to the right of each symbol, is the unicode number you require for use on Gather. This number may be found under the column heading of 'Decimal'.
That's all there is to it!
...so, have fun, and be creative...!
Remember: &# + Unicode + ;
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Comments: 59
The purpose of the article is to provide techniques for adding designs which complement your content, personality, or mood.
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Questions about Gather? Ask other members in the Gather Help Forum.
Not that I want to be a star, but I would like to learn how to do new things with the computer.........
I try &# + 9829 and instead of a heart, nothing shows and the page pulls me upwards to the text again
?????????????
♥
Anyway Thanks Again
I never knew all that.... and could never get it to work. I'm afraid to hit 'post' and find out I still didn't get it right.
Here goes!
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Add some l♥v to your Gather comments. Learn how here.
I think that the cross is actually a marker used in annotating footnotes.
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Need help using images on Gather? Then picture this.
Sadly, a lot of these unicodes display only boxes on my screen. I assume that means I need some browser upgrade.
I'll make as much use of the ones that will work for me, though.
Thanks Again!
For example, if you are using Internet Explorer (IE), and any symbols above appear as a large box, then you are at least 3 upgrades behind for your software. This could potentially leave your computer vulnerable to attack from viruses and other forms of harmful internet threats.
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Questions about Gather? Ask other members in the Gather Help Forum.
▍
▪
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Not a Gather Expert? This Insider's Guide may be of help.
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♥ Looking for 'love' on Gather? Start your search here.
Thanks again for all of your help.
Has the average age of Gather folks dropped to 9?
This is stupid when there are so many things that need fixing.
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Dial-up User? Learn to speed up your Gather experience here.
Reminder: &# + unicode + ;
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Shhhh.... Find out about Gather 'Cheat Codes' here.
:)
Both browsers can be installed on your computer at the same time. Hence, I would recommend using Gather under both browsers, and see which you like better.
I think you will choose Firefox!
If you need some assistance, send me a mail message.
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Gather Group Owner? Learn techniques to manage your group here.
Unfortunately, at the moment they dont work with most browsers, which means someone will just see an open square instead. If that works for you check out the list at:
Test for unicode support in Web Broswers
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Know what's up on Gather this month? See the event calendar here.
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Want to find special articles quickly? Here's how.
You may download Firefox HERE.
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Not a Gather Expert? This Insider's Guide may be of help.
Another Firefox devotee, here.
How do some people put photos on comments?
B.
THIS ARTICLE describes the techniques for inserting images in comments, as well as other HTML commands for bolding, bullets, italics, etc. The article's images reflect the prior Gather design, but the commands haven't changed.
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NEW! Automate Hyperlink and Text Entry! Learn how HERE.
Thanks for adding some fun to the equation.
I really ♥ that movie! -- and -- I really l♥v that movie!
As to Arielle's cross, this it a footnoting symbol used in the print media and is known as a dagger. There are also double daggers used in this way - and for duelling.
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NEW! 'Subscribe' to comments on any Gather article. Learn how HERE.
What character (symbol) are you trying to display?
Kevin, I can't wait to see an article when you manage to figure that one out. I'm thinking I may try pasting an existing formatted table into my text, perhaps that could circumvent the nonexistant column option.
♪
i think i got it:)