Another way to express your personality via email, chat, newsgroups, etc, is to express your own personal flare with mini-graphics, created by using the digits on your key board. All you have to do is tilt your head to the left and you'll notice the graphic has more meaning. Here's a list of a few more pictorial expressions which can spice up your communications. Utilizing these emoticons are not essential, but can be fun. One thing is highly apparent in the Internet community.
People are progressive and do appreciate good humor.