The art has long since disappeared, and flame wars can be abusive, aggressive and unpleasant exchanges in newsgroups, mailing lists and email. Find out more . Pressing the reply button can vary in its effect, depending on the software you use and how it is set up. Your reply may be automatically copied to all who received the first post, not just the sender. Thus a 'smart' comment can become biting sarcasm, a verbal tease can become a mortal insult.
Emoticons are the work of seconds from any keyboard, and are widely understood.
Some people consider a receipt request to be a gross violation of privacy. Others really do not mind. It is always courteous to ask permission, or at least inform the site of your intentions - most will be grateful to see the link, and pleased to be consulted. There is an issue about how the link works. Using the site's logo or trademark without formal consent might be in breech of law.