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The simple way to enforce posting propriety is to not answer posts that are unintelligible, or at least chide the poster ONCE to provide better info and THEN ignore them if they don't.

Not everyone coming here seems to speeka the anglish perfecto, dontcha know!

Everyone deserves a chance.


Then again, I am just an interloper here!


:)
 
We've got alot of posts these days which have no structure whatever, paragraphing is non-existant, one liners such as "I need help, my CPU is overheating", SMS English, and all sorts of other equally irritating posts here.

Grammar is one thing, since this is an international forum, you can't expect everyone to have an excellent grasp of English. I tend to look the other way for grammar/spelling problems.

But still, generally posts are still alright, just that the irritating ones still pop out once in awhile....
 
Mirob said:
Most people come here to learn. They should be given that opportunity, even if it means editing their awfully bad posts. :blush:
Click to expand...
I'm not advocating kicking people out for 1 bad post. I'm saying they get a warning from one of the mods (or any other member could PM them and remind them to try harder) and if they don't improve they get shown the door.

Mentioning "International" is only a superficial argument, it is pretty easy to distinguish between someone that doesn't know English well and someone that does but is intentionally posting in poor form.

Nobody wants to just get rid of people, this is a community, but it is only as good as its members allow it to be. If I'm in a hurry I don't even bother with threads that don't have a title that intrigues me, as a result, nearly every poorly titled threads don't get clicked. I told one member a while back (when things were really bad) that I refuse to help him anymore because of his posting style, now I've dropped in on his threads recently and they are MUCH better. :)
 
Some time ago, I read an interesting article about this, and below is my basic outline of what it stated (because I completely forgot where I originally read it):

Statistically, most computer enthusiasts have little or no tolerance for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. This is because enthusiasts value intelligence, and when someone types in "MSN Language" or an equivalent (low) quality of language, they are regarded as lacking intellect. Though sloppy writing does not necessarily indicate sloppy thinking, the correlation is believed to be very strong.

-----------------------

If you ask me, when a user's post is so sloppy to the point that it is impossible to understand, then they should just be asked to re-post in a more formal fashion of speech.
In my opinion, posts should always be re-read by the author to make sure that the point is clear and outstanding errors are non-existent. I (and I'm sure, many others) always re-read my posts before submitting.


Most of those who post in a form of "sloppy" language are largely young teens and kids (I think...). My guess on why this has increased is because of the growing percentage of young teens/kids who sit in front of the computer all day. Also, they use Instant-Messenger programs all the time, transforming their concept of English.
Then, when they come on Techspot looking for help with problems, they type in the only way they know of (which is the "MSN Language"), and fail to conduct themselves in a formal manner, which instantly results in their thread being ignored by those who are intolerant to this type of language.
 
Man, 3 posts since my last one, and I was just going to edit it because I left out an important part (which is why I originally quoted Mirob). For a moderator to edit someone's post takes far too much effort, plus if its really poorly written to begin with the editor might end up changing what the actual problem is accidentally. The original poster should be the one required to make it legible, not a mod.

Plus I really hate editing posts other than my own, I am not a fan of censorship at all. (but I am for following the established guidelines)
 
I agree with you. Some people may think it's 1337 to post in text message speak--geek like. One chance is enough, and they should have to edit their own posts. Why would anyone else?
 
I find myself editing my post often, either from leaving things out and leaving people clueless, or from just bad grammer. I think its gets all of us sometimes.
 
Lol, I think people talking in 1337 speak should be warned to edit their own posts. If they don't, nothing's going to happen to them. Literally. I'm sure none of us here would be bothered to translate 1337 speak to help someone we don't know, so they won't receive any help.

Which would encourage them to actually type in formal English.


Speaking of 1337 speak, can you believe they want to incorporate that as part of formal education? The argument for it is that it is being used so much now, its more or less part of everyday life..... sheesh. [/end out of topic]


As for editing your own post because you've left out something important, I reckon you should just post a new message. If you really need to edit the earlier post, mention in a new message that you've edited something important. I doubt many people actually re-read old posts to see if they've been edited...
 
I am a mod at a guitar forum. It irritates me as well to see people make meaningless posts. Especially the txt speak crap. Its one thing if a poster does not speak English well or has trouble spelling etc. You can usually tell this. But the txt speak thing, I simply edit the post. Delete what the poster was asking and simply type EDITED FOR IMPROPER USE OF GRAMMAR, or something to that effect. Doesnt take to long to do, and usually the poster will repost correctly. If they don't they get warned, if nothing else the post is deleted. But then again that site does not have the following that this one does either!

The other option here is, as someone already said, simply do not respond to the post. Or maybe a mod could just lock the thread. On another note, I would be interested to know what percentage of people here with more than 1 post. Are actually active on a regular basis. I have noticed lately that damn near every new post is by a new member. Or at least it seems that way.
 
that definately gets the point across.

Edited by Moderator: Removed quote. There`s no need to quote the post directly above your own, unless you`re only replying to a specific section, in which case you would only quote that section. ;)
 
I think thats fake supersmashbrada, only the original poster can edit a post and have it not show up as edited (within a short period of time). If a mod edits it even 1 second after it was posted it still shows up as edited by the mod.
 
Since this thread seems to have turned into the what annoys you on Techspot thread, here are some of my pet hates.

1. Text speak(already covered). ;)

2. Members who make posts one after the other, when there`s no need to do so.

What I mean, is a member will make a post, then decide to add something else. Rather than using the edit button to add the extra info, they make a completely new post. The only time a member should post consecutive posts, is when it`s completely necessary.

3. The inappropriate use of the quote feature.

There`s no need for members to quote the post directly above their own. Of course if they are replying only to a specific section, then only the relevant section should be quoted and not the whole post.

4. Premature thread bumps.

Members should wait at least 24hours without a reply, before bumping threads. I`ve seen thread bumps of less than 5 minutes. :knock:

5. Threads that are for computer problems get posted in inappropriate forums, such as the Introduce Yourself forum/Hot deals forum etc etc.

All the forums below, are off limits for computer problems.

untitled-3.jpg


There, I feel much better now I`ve got that off my chest. :p

Regards Howard :)
 
SNGX, I think supersmashbrada is saying that messages like the blue one he posted get the point across.

As for this grammar thing, I enjoy studying grammar, and try not to use incorrect grammar, except in some informal speech. :blush: It may be easier not to use correct sentence structure, periods, etc., but that often results in ambiguity which usually makes me not even want to try to help the person.
 
SNGX1275 said:
I think thats fake supersmashbrada, only the original poster can edit a post and have it not show up as edited (within a short period of time). If a mod edits it even 1 second after it was posted it still shows up as edited by the mod.
Click to expand...

lol I didnt touch the post. I think Howard did it, as he stated his dislikes further down page 2. Quoting a post right above your own. I forge nothing and dont assume so, you dont know me like that homie.
 
I can confirm it was me that edited supersmashbrada`s post. Why it didn`t show up as being edited by me, I have no idea. :confused:

Regards Howard :)
 
I often correct those who speak incorrectley. In fact at times I will almost answer their question and then I'll say something like "To bad I can't understand what you said. Otherwise I could help. Oh well".
 
I don't like when people use words in a completely wrong form....or conjugation. For instance, it angers me when people say, "I is goin'" or "I says". Yes, we all make mistakes in grammar, but this is our native language (for those who make mistakes who are a native-English speaker ;) ).
 
UM, the language is native to Britain - you have borrowed it and made a real mess of it so maybe you should just calm down and step back.


:)
 
Excuse me? How have we (if you mean the United States) made the language a mess? I speak with mostly perfect English, and I hate slang. Why come back with an insult?
 
Um

Ok no flame war please, you have the tellie, we have the TV. You Have petro, we have gas. Life goes on......

And dont you love when a thread gets totally taken out from under you supersmashbrada ? :D
 
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