'Smilies' are small graphical images that can be used to convey an emotion or feeling. If you have used email or internet chat, you are likely familiar with the smilie concept. Certain standard strings are automatically converted into smilies. Try twisting your head on one side if you do not get smilies; using a bit of imagination should reveal a face of some description.

Here's the list of currently accepted smilies:

What to Type	Meaning	Graphic That Will Appear
:alien:	alien
:angel:	angel
:beer:	beer
:D	big grin
:blink:	blink
:bunny:	bunny
:confused:	confused
:cool:	cool
:devil:	devil
:doctor:	doctor
:eek:	eek!
:o	embarrasment
:\	erm
:evil:	evil face
:geek:	geek
:happy:	happy
:dance:	Happy Dance
:huh:	huh
:laugh:	laughing
:lol:	laughing out loud
:love:	love
:mad:	mad
:S	messed
:miffed	miffed
:mobile:	mobile
:ninja:	ninja
:no:	no
:|	no expression
:eye:	one eye
:~pirate:	pirate
:raver:	raver
:reading:	reading
:rock:	rock
:rolleyes:	roll eyes (sarcastic)
:rollin:	rolling on floor laughing
:(	sad
:santa:	santa
:shifty:	shifty
:x	sick
:sleep:	sleep
:smart:	smart
:)	smile
:smokin:	smokin'
:p	stick out tongue
:down:	thumb down
:up:	thumb up
:wacko:	wacko
:wtf:	What the f**k?
:whistle:	whistle
;)	wink
:yes:	yes
:zorro:	zorro

If you want to disable smilies in a post that you make, you can select the 'Disable Smilies' option when posting. This is particularly useful if you are posting program code and you do not want ;) converted to a smilie face!