What is the correct way of typing ( (i.e. a 'b' in parentheses) in posts. If I just type '(', 'b', ')', I get a smiley, e.g. (. I have been getting round the problem by typing, but without the spaces, ( & # 9 8 ; ), but I have been assured that this is a 'stupid work-around' and that I should file a bug report. So, what is the appropriate solution to the problem?

There is also the problem that if one uses the preview feature, the character entity is converted to plain 'b', so that having checked that a post is correct, it will then be incorrect when it has been posted.

You could use {b} instead.

Quite a few short character combinations are used as keyboard shortcuts for smilies, for example:

Another way to prevent the automatic conversion of character combinations to smilies is to deselect the box for "Enable emoticons" below the text entry box for the reply, as I have done with this reply. It means, however, that for this particular post I cannot use any smilies at all.

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Maestro

I have been getting round the problem by typing, but without the spaces, ( & # 9 8 ; ), but I have been assured that this is a 'stupid work-around' and that I should file a bug report.

Actually, that doesn't sound stupid to me, sounds like a neat way to get round the problem, may use it myself...

Doesn't sound stupid to me either.

I solve the problem by numbering instead

You could also use Swedish style (possibly from French writing conventions?):

a.)

b.)

c.)

...but it probably looks strange if you are not used to it.