Within Skype, typing (nod) will insert an emoticon which appears to be nodding.

http://factoryjoe.s3.amazonaws.com/emoticons/emoticon-0144-n...

I read it as a skype-centric way of writing "You are my subordinate (I assert my dominance by saying your full name) and when I say jump, you ask how high!", which seems to fit the tone of the rest of the message.

It means he doesn't understand 'actions' in online speech.

I do nod a lot myself as an indication I'm paying attention, and every so often it surprises me when someone doesn't quite understand.

So you would type out the word "nod" once in a while, just like you would nod your head during a physical conversation? That's curious. I've never seen that before - I don't use chat/IM a whole lot though.

I think it's an IRC-ism since there you can type

    /me nods

And the "/me" token will be replaced by your username and the whole "action" will be a different style (font/color/what-have-you) on some clients.

The same command works on Skype and does what one would expect. It's just not really advertised. Try typing /help in a Skype chat window.

I know a few people who do it. I can see the point... sometimes you say something and you aren't sure if the other person has gotten up to use the bathroom or is otherwise distracted, or if they are thinking of something.

Personally, I prefer 'thinking...' or 'looking' when I ask a question and there will be a delay, but I can see the point of 'nod'

I dont know if the log was edited or not, but the placement of that comment was completely random. As was the 8th grade outburst. I gotta say that made me chuckly though.