Sooooo...

[Warpe]

...why does FTR have this emoticon:

...when we can just type in @?

[Muzzard]

Because of email addresses. If you post them it makes it harder for bots/hackers/whatever to pick up the addresses if you use the emotion rather than the normal symbol. Preventing mass spam to your e-mail addy

[swiggidy]

1) Title catches my eye
2) Forum => Feedback, meh
3) Author Warpe => usually interesting
....
Profit!!