The issue with describing appearance using text is how different people perceive how much information they need to visualize the characters of other players, and how much should they write to make sure the other players would be able to picture their characters as close to their own vision as possible. Nowadays I noticed that most players simply go with the easier route - using images. I'm not a fan of using images, particularly real-person/celebrity pictures, because I tend to feel miffed at how every character in a supposedly "realistic" RP looks [i]overly fabulous[/i] in such setting. Also, unless I draw out the characters myself, most illustrations don't truly reflect the image of the characters I have in mind. Using text gives rise to ambiguity, so it tests the writer's ability to describe a character's appearance with just about enough information for the others to get a good grasp but without being too contrived and specific (which can kill the imagination of others).

Personally, there is nothing wrong to describe briefly about the character's usual dress code - and I mean keeping it simple and generalized, not going into [i]unnecessary[/i] details like the example Nutt's had provided. Dress code can be used to give hints or emphasize certain points of the character's personality. E.g. A tomboyish girl would be reluctant to wear skirts and girly clothing compared to typical girls; a rich, vain character would put a lot of care on personal grooming, etc.

[quote=@NuttsnBolts]- The Melee character with that ancient sword. Can they only use Swords? Do they not know how to use a dagger?
- That Hacker that is skilled in computer science. Are they only experienced in PC science?
- The grenade that is used and will explode into nothingness but has that shiny chrome casing with red trimming. Is describing it useless fluff?
- Does the character walk around EVERYWHERE carrying that AK47?[/quote]

- While both swords and daggers are considered melee weapons, depending on the setting, that is related to the [i]job class[/i] of the character - typically, the warrior class uses swords, while rangers/assassins would use daggers. If no job class is involved, that will depend on the character's habits and/or setups. Some are flexible and able to use both types of melee weapons with ease, some are more "niche" and would only use just one type, for example.

- [i]Computer Science isn't restricted to just PCs.[/i] It's the theoretical - scientific and mathematical - approach to information and computation, which applies to any devices or gadgets that requires some form of AI, including mobile phones, automated vehicles and machinery, communication network, satellites, etc. Programming is the practical approach to Computer Science.

- I agree with the third point, so no further comments from me.

- Regarding firearms, it's the same with clothing. You can say the character favors certain types of guns, but it doesn't mean they only use that particular gun and carry it around 24/7, and most people wouldn't wear the same clothes for... let's not go there.

Unlike some of the people who have commented on thread, I'm those who will double-check the CS numerous times as I write my IC responses for the sake of consistency, especially in advanced-level RPs where there's a lot of things going on to keep track (and my memory is horrible).