I am guilty of using the @ symbol. I thought it was appropriate, or customary, but I am 45 and new to this online group thing. I saw others using it and followed suit. I can avoid using it, but maybe other people are doing the same unknowingly. Could there be a new sticky somewhere that suggests to not use the @ thing until there is a way to turn off mentions? Maybe this is a new online etiquette thing that needs to be addressed. I will stop using it if it helps. I cannot remember everyone's preferences or triggers to use it some of the time and not other times, but I can be consistent with not using the @ feature.
What do you think?