Elan Hasson

People, please start using CamelCase (aka PascalCase) to break apart words in #HashTags.

It makes it easier to read and more #accessible. Single words are OK to keep lowercase, unless they are proper nouns 😉
It makes it easier to review if you're a #MastoAdmin.

#CamelCaseAllTheHashTags

#Mastodon #HashTag #accessibility

@jamesbritt also shared you can #Use_The_Underbar!

@blindscribe says: https://www.accessible-social.com/copy-and-formatting/hashtags

Please #boost this for visibility and to help improve the lives of many people.

Hashtags

Accessible best practices for using hashtags in social media posts.

Dec 24, 2022 at 10:38pmWeb
Show threadJames Bartlett Dec 24, 2022
@elan
That looks more like #PascalCase to me. This is #camelCase.
Show threadRobert George 𓇳𓃀𓁹𓏏𓇥𓆓𓀀Dec 24, 2022
@JamesDBartlett3 @elan frankly, I’m fine with both. As long as each subsequent word is capitalized, it makes it easier to read, and I believe that is the case for screen readers too.
Show threadJames BrittDec 24, 2022
@JamesDBartlett3 @elan Do we get to debate #UpperCamel vs #lowerCamel now? :)
Show threadScottinSoCal 🇺🇦 🕊 🏳‍🌈Dec 24, 2022
@elan The frustration comes when I do CamelCase, and Mastodon switches it to lowercase, because it recognizes the tag and wants it to match.
Show threadmatty strattonDec 26, 2022
@ScottSoCal @elan this is the challenge I always run into. Especially on mobile when autocomplete is way more helpful!
Show threadzbeckerDec 24, 2022

@elan

I thought this was #camelCase and this was #PascalCase

Show threadChris Godwin Dec 26, 2022
@zbecker @elan #thisIsCamel and #ThisIsCamelToo
Show threadJames BrittDec 24, 2022
@elan One can use the underbar as well in hashtags. I don't think the bird site allowed that.
Show threadElan HassonDec 24, 2022
@jamesbritt #testing_this
Show threadAdam Gessaman Dec 24, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt interesting. A couple questions: how does a screen reader handle the underscores? Is it worth potentially bifurcating multi word hashtags?
Show threadJHesletDec 28, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt I didn’t know _ was even an option. TY for sharing that info. I like it when my hashtag is easily understood. #accessibility #NeverStopLearning #never_stop_learning
Show threadAZcoigreachDec 25, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt 💯
Show threadDaveDec 25, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt I might not know what a proper noun is, but I've been inadvertently using #CamelCase for years before I knew why, or even what it was called...
Show threadAZcoigreachDec 25, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt Underbar. Now your just getting too fancy... #FancyHashtag
Show threadHappy DonkeyDec 26, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt I already CamelCase. It the only logical solution
Show threadKerry FergusonDec 26, 2022
@elan yes 👏 been using this for over a year for accessibility reasons, good to see others are encouraging its use too!
Show threadKeith WilsonDec 26, 2022
@elan Good advice, though it would help if the official #MastodonApp defaulted to #CamelCase rather than lower case when auto-completing hashtags! @Gargron #CamelCaseAllTheHashtags #Mastodon
Show threadElan HassonDec 26, 2022
@keithwilson @Gargron maybe it's a @Tusky thing?
Show threadPatrick Johanneson 🚀 🇨🇦Dec 26, 2022

@elan @jamesbritt

As a wp dev, I definitely take to under_scores more than camelCase. (Though I find I'm learning more JavaScript lately and they're allAboutTheCamels.)

Show threadDavid Brent 📚Dec 26, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt Also: let's be careful with #HashTags and spelling. I've seen lots of hashtags with typos, and if people aren't paying attention when they auto-populate, their posts aren't going to get the desired visibility/reach. Example: for #twittermigration, I've seen "twittermigarrtion" and "twittermigraiton".
Show threadAwattoAnalogDec 26, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt I've always called this #TitleCase but I'm happy to learn of #CamelCase & #PascalCase too!
Show threadChris Godwin Dec 26, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt indeed this is the proper way to be.
Show threadPaul-Gabriel WienerDec 26, 2022
@elan The only problem with this is that it takes all the fun out of referring to the classic Spider-Man villain #DocOck
Show threadCharlotte WalkerDec 26, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt @TheRedElm It’s annoying that all three of the Mastodon apps I’ve tried automatically suggest hashtags all lower case
Show threadtheredelmDec 26, 2022
@purplepadma @elan @jamesbritt I agree but I find that of predictive text, in general, so I never click on it.
Show threadCorneliaDec 26, 2022
@elan I never knew that was called CamelCase. #LearnSomethingNewEveryDay
Show threadkatieDec 26, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt I have no idea what PascalCase or CamelCase is! ACK
Show thread🐚 Undo Influence 🐚Dec 26, 2022

@elan @jamesbritt

The auto-populate function for hashtags on my browser/computer is always suggesting lowercase-only and it's SUPER annoying. 

Show threadGreg Clarke 🇨🇦 Dec 26, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt plus it's useful for clarity, don't forget the Susan Boyle's album party hashtag #susanalbumparty
Show threadElan HassonDec 26, 2022
@greg @jamesbritt
Show threadJamieDec 26, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt #CamelToeCase accepted. So are #FlysEyes
Show threadKeikioainaDec 26, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt ok. Sure. Where does the term "camel case" come from?
Show threadLuna CorbdenDec 26, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt @Radicalfaery I’ve noticed a couple of the apps I’ve used (forget which but pretty sure it includes web, at least on my instance), when they predict the hashtag and you choose one from the list, it removes whatever camel case you started typing, forcing all to lower case, and you’ve got to manually fix it. I’m on Toot! at the moment, and it thankfully goes with whatever case others are using.
Show threadGrant WilliamsDec 26, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt I need to understand this better. I have no idea what hashtag usage best practice is on Mastodon yet. I try to keep them uniform over all the platforms that I use. Are there guidelines or resources?
Show threadTue KappelDec 26, 2022
@elan thank you for alerting this i#lliterate-snake-case.boomer, and inspiring me to google Cases (casings?)
I'll remember next time. #HappyHolidays to everyone. #AllTheBest . Love. Tue
Show threadBriggsyDec 26, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt I seem to have trouble with this a bit. It may just be me. When I #CamelCase things, it often will not come up as an option of "popular" or "used" hashtags. I end up just typing it out in #CamelCase instead of selecting the same hashtag in all lowercase from the list. But I do get concerned that it won't ha e similar reach because maybe the #CamelCase isn't as popular? I don't know.
Show threadDatarainbow Privacy Assistant✅Dec 26, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt it often suggests hashtags all in small letters
Show threadKaren E. Lund 💙💛Dec 26, 2022

@elan @jamesbritt Several years ago my bus to work took me past a historic building undergoing extensive construction to become fancy apartments.

A banner on the side of the building advertised its website, which I read as "One ill building."

It took me two weeks of commuting to realize it was the O'Neill Building.

#CapitalizationMatters #CamelCase

Show threadruidhDec 26, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt Agree with #CamelCase tags. Alas, when I get hashtag suggestions, they have all been converted to lower case.
Show threadHunter PerrinDec 27, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt #TheBesthashtag_uses_Allthe_Conventions
Show threadPrabhakar KumarDec 27, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt Just clicked to check whether somebody called out camelCase and PascalCase are different. Nobody did :-(
Show threadYusuf ToropovDec 27, 2022

@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe

So at first I thought you were talking about some kind of app, but on second read I see you mean #CapitalizationLikeThis. Got it.

A side observation: only a fool would try to outlaw the intelligent usage of #Capital.

#OopsIJustMadeThisAboutTyrantsInWaiting

Show threadColDec 27, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe probably a stupid question but I’m thinking this would be the same on the dead bird platform or LinkIn etc? (I run public sector social media) thanks
Show threadColDec 27, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe ah then I clicked on the link - really helpful thank you
Show threadNicola 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿Dec 27, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe
I end up having to ignore the hash tags that Mastodon suggests and type them myself otherwise they are all lower case.
#EveryDayIsASchoolDay
Show threadActiveCulturesDec 27, 2022
@jamesbritt @blindscribe @elan Question: does hashtag search treat #CamelCase and #LowerCase equally? Is there a way to script an instance so it defers to CamelCase? Seems like when I try to add a hashtag in CamelCase it’s often changed to all lower in the suggestions.
Show thread🤯Matera the Mad🤯Dec 27, 2022

@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe
This is a difficult matter. It doesn't help that search is case-insensitive - and that makes searchers case insensitive!

Uncertainty is usually resolved by observation of examples. That's how we learn from the start. What is learned depends on what range of examples are available in the learner's reach.

When individuals from different datasets interact, more clues are needed. Keep up the good work! 😉

Show threadAdrian BowyerDec 27, 2022

@elan @jamesbritt

Also important when you're doing chemistry: PolyDiMethylSiloxane, 2‑MercaptoBenzoThiazole

Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Dec 27, 2022

@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe

Boost, please.

For the benefit of people using (or having to use) #ScreenReaders and the #MastoAdmins:

use #PascalCaseHashtags to break apart words in #HashTags.

"It makes it easier to read and more #accessible."

https://www.theserverside.com/answer/Pascal-case-vs-camel-case-Whats-the-difference

Pascal case vs. camel case: What's the difference? | TheServerSide

The difference between Pascal case and camel case is minor, but not knowing your variable naming conventions can land you outside of code compliance.

TheServerSide.com
Show threadAngharadHafodDec 27, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe I agree completely. I wonder if there's room for automating this. One issue I have found is that recommended hashtags (as I type) often don't use (what I'd call) StudlyCaps (to me camelCase only has a bump in the middle; blame PHP PSR-1). Result: if I select it, I get an all lowercase hashtag. Editing in caps afterwards is awkward on a phone; I do it anyway, but I can see why people don't bother.
Show threadTanquistDec 27, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe Also edit images to add #AltText
Show threadAttorney WondererDec 28, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe #InitialCaps
Show threadescapadesrpgDec 28, 2022

@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe #hashtags must be like 20+ years old at this point

Why aren't they automatically formatted?

Show threadSudospectiveDec 28, 2022
i thought it was camelCase and PascalCase 🤔
Show threadelBalitaDec 28, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe
#CamelCase is a new term for me, but I like it.
Show threadSusan Davis 🇨🇦Dec 28, 2022

@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe

Maybe address this to Eugen? When I add hashtags, the autocomplete tries to smash them to all lowercase, and that's an obvious thing to fix.

#Hastags #CamelCase #notlikethis #ButLikeThis

Show threadJohn LoveDec 28, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe Good for conveying email addresses legibly and Fediverse addresses, too. #GladSomebodySaidIt
Show threadAlessio MaffeisDec 28, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe checking the replies just to see how many people are casesplaining™ 🥲
Show threadJesse M. Holmes ⛵️🎶👨🏼‍💻Dec 30, 2022

@elan

Hard agree.

Show threadKyla Wazana TompkinsDec 30, 2022
@elan @jamesbritt @blindscribe super helpful to know