I've just read (better: tried to read) a story where a lot of those awful and annoying shortcuts are used. Now I come here to find TRACER69 story with a & in it. Well, the stroy IS readable! But to substitute the word "and" with "&" is not only stupid it breaks the rhythm of reading if there appears a sign or number every few words.
Of course it's stupid to substitute "and" by "&". to write the word "and" you need three (3) taps on the keyboard. to make the sign "&" you have to make two (2) taps. so all you spared is one single tap.
So you put off the reader for one single saved tap on the keyboard! u c () it's not worth it. Not at all!!
So PLEASE all writers here do NOT use this shortcuts for the sake of us readers!
Thank you!