Why acronyms are a bad thing

I work in computer systems so I deal with lots of acronyms. I hate them, because they soon stop having a meaning other than "the name of that thing over there". How many times have you heard someone talk about their GPS system? What they are really talking about is their global positioning system system. It is nonsense when you spell out the words, but because GPS usually means "that navigational thing" to most people they don't realize they are talking nonsense.

In addition, because they are typically short acronyms often have very different meanings depending on who you talk to. When somebody says OTC do they mean over counter or order to cash? When they say STD do they mean short term disability or sexually transmitted disease? Do they even know what they are saying or is the acronym just a buzz word they learned somewhere? I have often sat through meetings where people use acronyms that are wrong in the context are using them in.

When I work I often prefer to take the long route and avoid the use of acronyms. It makes things more wordy, but far clearer.