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Euphod

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I detest spelling errors. Some are forgivable, and do not hinder the intended message so much. Some are terrible and painful to read. Lack of correct spelling can transform a well intended message into an insult to the poster's intelligence. When I read a post, I subconsciously appraise the writer's intelligence by the number of mis-spelled words, and I certainly can develop a bad impression of someone if they constantly write like a fourth grader. (I have a fourth grader....I know from whence I speak).

If you enjoy the forums, perhaps you should consider downloading a free spell checker. They are not perfect, but they can lift the quality of your posts to the point where you earn more respect, and get better results because of it.

Below is a link to a forum spell checker for Internet Explorer.

http://www.iespell.com/download.php

I'm sure those who use other browsers can post their own links here as well.

Thank you for considering this simple addition.

Ed
 
I prefer to think of it as "another helpful thread".:p
Ed

Ah I see where you're going :p

And to make this not another +1 post I understand your point Euphod. May I also point out that chatspeak ("A/S/L", "AFAIK", "OMG") phrases aren't always the best either? :)
 
Euphod, instead of downloading a speelchequeker, um ur spellchecker/spell checker, what about using something else? And that is a . . .
**********
Sure, it's usually easy to see what may be a typing mistake, but some other posts are almost impossible to understand - some users that don't have English as their first language have better English skills than some who speak English!

Not using puncuation & capital letters can also change the subject of what the poster is trying to get across, nor am I saying that you have to be 100% perfect at puncuation.

EDIT: Another thing to consider, is unless it can't be helped, or for an accidental double post, is not to change posts after others have replied.

PS-1: Of course we should also take into account different spellings. Why English spell "program" as "programme", is beyond me.
PS-2: Goes & previews post! :hehe:
 
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Hmm...

I actually agree with you Ed, but there is a fundamental problem involved in getting people to spell correctly:

colour not color
harbour not harbor
labour not labor
realise not realize
railway not railroad
points not switches
shunting not switching
crossing not meeting

Well you get the general idea. Maybe I should just send all my trans-Atlantic colleagues the very wonderful and correct Concise Oxford Dictionary! :hehe:

I notice those wild colonial boys across the ditch here can also be a bit random in their spelling... :hehe:


Given the above little conundrum I'm sure people can learn to use the backspace key every so often...



Cheers

Nix
 
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Just a simple proof reading of what you just typed can be a big help in spotting grammarical and spelling errors. But not always.

Bill
 
I actually LIKE the differences between the written Americanized English and the Queen's English. It's so cute and quaint when you guys slip in your little extra letters....it makes me feel like I'm in The House of Lords (with my bare feet and banjo, and a grass stalk between my teeth)!

You may not know this, but over here, when an advertiser or an actor wants to lend the impression of respectability to a project, they invariably resort to......(DUN DUN DUHHHHHH!).....a British accent. It's as if they are admitting that we are a bunch of yokels!

And, for the most part....we are.

Fare thee well.....

Ed
 
...always a spelling, correct tense and punctuated bloke am I...

8) Yes, the need for using correctly spelled words, and sentences that make sense on both ends is a great goal.

I have no problems with International spelling, as whilst reading the text, I can figure out what is meant.

Using anyone's dictionary would be a great start.

And it does matter! People who don't have time to post correctly, should wait until they have time!

"Talking without thinking, is like shooting without aiming."

Folks who post English as a second language, usually learn as time goes by, so I always welcome our Global Trainz Community to post.

I also allow for people who being deaf, post using ISL or ASL.
 
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harbour not harbor
That's interchangeable (well sort of!) It's correct to use Victor Harbor, or Victor Harbour, however the official spelling of that town (due to a mistake I believe) is without the extra "u" - the correct way to spell those sort of words IMHO!

railway not railroad
Their IS a railway in NSW, Australia that has/had railroad in its name.

Their is also loop/passing loop as opposed to sidings.
 
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I type fast so I make a lot of mistakes. Luckily Firefox has a built-in spell checker. I'd recommend just downloading Firefox and using it instead of IE. Sorry Microsoft! ;)

http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/

PS: Another rant thread? :p

Unfortunately I don't believe spell-checker/spellsheck (whatever) is the answer. Care with what you're doing, an education and a revision/review of what you've typed before submitting is better and is much more sensible, constructive and a means to self teach.

Ed is right about the post intending to be helpful rather than a rant. On a professional level I'm "attached" to people who hire/recruit. If an applicant cannot read, write or spell (you'll be surprised just how many!!), forget it...eliminated from the process immediately.

Whilst technology and progress is a wonderful thing, it can promote a lazy and take for granted attitude. Remember, the basics ARE more important than you may realise.

My rant on the subject :cool:

Cheers,
Simon.
 
Well, I see your point, but I think that those who spell badly either don't have the education to draw from, or are not yet disciplined enough to use it. A spell checker can be a learning tool, as it does allow the user to see and hopefully remember the correct spelling for the future.
Ed
 
No disagreement, Ed. It does allow the user a choice......but a choice to learn with spell checker means responsibility of self, and I'm sure you know how that is with society of today :p

Silly-buggers aside, it's good to see you posting a fair bit around here again, Ed.

Cheers,
Simon
 
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When I read a post, I subconsciously appraise the writer's intelligence by the number of mis-spelled words, and I certainly can develop a bad impression of someone if they constantly write like a fourth grader.

You're definitely not alone there Ed!
 
I say! Ed,old chap,you should get together with Mike10.He who rules the UK forum,with a rod of iron,when it comes to correct English punctuation and spelling.Woe betide us,if we so much as get a comma a 'smidgin' out of place.:hehe:
Only Joking. It is good to see some of us still adhere to the better education standards,that were around before PCs and Mobile phones.Trouble is I have forgotten most of what I was taught,it was so long ago.

Regards Bruce
 
Minor trivia:

The Oxford dictionary is useful and an accurate guide to (UK) English.
At least, according to the people who work on it. I find it a good guide to Oxford English...
I prefer Chambers dictionary - it is a better guide to the more modern useage. I also use the Scots -> English one at home as well.

"Programme" = list of events in order e.g. the programme of concerts at the town hall.

"Program" = list of computer instuctions often held on a computer disc (disk)

"pogrom" - let's get rid of them!

I'm quite happy to read people's own variety of English - provided it's clear and can be understood. Spelling - well, let's accept the differences.
The real problem is the idiomatic use of words which mean one thing in one country and another in differenet country/culture.

i also have a great respect for people who post in English from another native language. Wish I could do it.

We've just had a little fracas with the BBC trying to censor a word in a song. That prompted a discussion about the word "faggot" - I still think of this as having two meanings:-



a) small meat-balls made from offal and
b) bundles of fire-wood

See ? There had to be room for all of us.

Best wishes to you & yours,

Colin
 
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