Here are a few gems from my collection on communication:

• Do not write so that you can be understood, write so that you cannot be misunderstood. (Epictetus)
• If it takes a lot of words to say what you have in mind, give it more thought. (Dennis Roch)
• A misspelling man walks into a bra.
• Dew knot trussed yore spell chequer two fined awl yore mistakes. (Brendan Hills)
• Don't use a run-on sentence you got to punctuate it.
• In letters themes reports articles and stuff like that we use commas to keep strings apart.
• Check to see if you any words out.
• In every sentence verb necessary. (“bobcat”)

Homonyms how I love thee, let me count the whey(s).

I think some of you guys need to stop taking yourselves too seriously.

It may have escaped your notice, but this is a computer help site for goodness sake and not some kind of literary guild.

Some folks find it difficult to express themselves in written language and when they come asking for help with a computer problem, correct grammar etc may well be the last thing on their minds.

As for mistakes in thread titles, I`m pretty sure everyone has done that at some time or another, I know I have. This isn`t helped by the complete lack of the OP`s ability to edit his or her own thread title once submitted, in order to correct any type`o`s.

Anyone new to the forum scene may well find this type of thread intimidating and I don`t think it does TS any real favours.

Before getting on your high horses, ask your self what the purpose of TS is, if like me you believe it to be one of the worlds premier computer help sites, then maybe your efforts would be better spent in dealing with computer help issues rather than spouting this kind of ridiculous crap.

Whether the English language and it`s written form in particular has deteriorated is a job for linguists and educationalists, not for a tech forum and some folks who are too far up their own backsides.

Gillan

You mean like thread titles such as Need Some Effin Help!!!! ?

Or the daily posts with titles like "Urgent help" (which consistantly have Moderators trying to re-title the thread to a more relevant title) ?

Because that to me seems like the real issue here, not the incoherent ability of the English language. That and the many non-understandable body text, such as: " i hav proc run @ 100% pls hlp"
To me this is usually not an issue with understanding English (or grammar), but a laziness of typing the words in there entirety. Yes I agree that this is a Computer Tech Support forum, but its main engine is the effective communication between support and the one that seeks (or requests) this support.

Wouldn't you agree?

Here's a Guide to Making a Good Post/Thread

OK, this is a bit presumptive to "assume" that we care what you think. Maybe we do, maybe we don't, but this is really a very premature conclusion at which to arrive


Dis be whut we dun be needin', y'all a bees tellin' us whut 2 thimk n ho 2 operize dis hear fo-rum! I bee's thinkin' that sum 1 wit olny 13 posts ought to wait a bit a 'n ak-shoe-lee do sum wurk a-4 dey be shootin' off de dey mouth. U cud give us'n all de impression thet y'all is a jus 1 of dem thar trolls.

There are a number of young people here at Techspot that believe they might pursue a career in computer science. They will probably run into a personal director who believes as I do, that if you're not competent to handle reading and writing English, that you're not competent to be allowed access to a multi-million dollar computer installation. There are others that sit around playing video games all day, and somehow that makes them important. Here again, at least an honest attempt at decent grammar, spelling, and punctuation is always appreciated. The alternative is a very long string of posts that all say the same thing, bump, bump, bump.

That having been said, welcome to Techspot. We'll all be anticipating you bringing your obviously considerable expertise to the computer issues that arise here. Oh, by the way, would you mind terribly if we save all the postings with the doggerel, gangsta' speak, text message speak, and run of the mill incoherance for you? I look forward to you attaining the rank of "Guru".

Thanks! This was a long time coming. I, for one, am sick of reading poorly written posts with ghetto-speak, bad grammar, etc...

Communication is vital in ANY field. Those that think that they can get away with improper English and a failure to READ, WRITE, and SPEAK correct English in the American workforce are in for rude awakening. While it may seem cute to write and speak slang and use improper English, others will laugh behind your back and think you're a ***** and/or uneducated. In the end, it is only the poorly educated and poorly disciplined person that winds up losing that job offer, that contact, that help, etc...

We here at TS understand that there are quite a few foreigners here and we also take that into account that English is not their native language - this does not pertain to you. In fact, it is a sad commentary on education and the state of discipline when foreigners use better written English than Americans.

Thanks Cap'n - that was a refreshing post and I am glad there are others out there that think like I do.


BTW- Perfect example of a bad post that I came across today: Unable to load xp

That was a gem cap’n kwankie…er…I mean captaincranky , in both content and manner of expression!


Humour aside, writing correct English is really part of the rules and should not be disputed. But apart from that, it shows good education and, even more important, respect for others who have to read it.

Someone seeking help who doesn’t take the time to prepare a good post should not fairly expect others to spend their time in deciphering his message and helping him.

Seems I as I fully expected, some of you have missed the point entirely.

I would say the vast majority of computer users are not technically able to solve their own problems and that`s the primary reason for coming to a tech site like TS. They come here because they need help.

I agree that text speak can be annoying, but the bottom line is still the fact TS is supposed to be a help site.

Why some of you seem to think you`re above everybody else is a mystery. I suppose it comes with some of you thinking you`re perfect.

There are many many reasons why someone may have bad grammar or spelling skills, but no matter as obviously that is beyond you self righteous comprehension.

I have helped many thousands of people with computer problems and while it is true, I have to be able to understand what the OP is posting, as long as I do understand, I really don`t see a problem if the grammar and spelling aren`t correct.

I repeat, if the OP was able to edit his/her own thread title, then maybe a lot of what are obviously type`o`s could be fixed without the need for people to start sighing and casting their displeasure.

Even if TS doesn`t want OP`s to have that ability, how long does it take for a mod to correct a thread title? If mods can`t be bothered or find that such a chore, then maybe they have no business in being a mod at all.

Gillian.

You seem to have missed the point. The point is you have fourteen posts. all of them relating to what you think of the people here at Techspot, and how the forum is run. Not one of them relates to you doing anything whatsoever to supplying the help you're so indignant about people "not receiving".You then go on to criticize the moderators about them being lazy and unwilling to rewrite the dreck that appears on the site. Either work towards becoming a moderator as all of them has over time, offer assistance, or have the good taste to shutup. Prima fascia, most this nonsense you're spouting seems like trolling. As a result of that, I'm reporting your post above.

So does this mean that one day soon Techspot is likely to benefit from this largesse?

Here again you have no idea what you're talking about. The titles and body of a post are both editable. But since you obviously know all about it, I'll leave it in your capable hands to figure it out


Well thank God you're here Gillian, now we can fire all the moderators on your mere say so!

Of course you must do whatever you think is right.

I don`t see why having 14 posts is an issue or at all relevant. I came here thinking TS was a fantastic help resource and in the main, I still think that`s the case. I just don`t think threads such as this are really that helpful to TS. It gives folks the impression that there`s an awful lot of jumped up buggers here and judging by some of the responses I couldn`t blame someone for thinking that.

My main purpose in coming to TS was to try and help others and if you look at what I`ve posted thus far, I think you`ll see that was my intention.

I have been accused of many things, but this is the first time I`ve ever been accused of being a troll lol. I was merely voicing my opinion, or is it the case at TS, that voicing ones opinion is only allowed as long as you agree with the so called established members?

Edit: I now see you found it necessary to double post rather than edit your post. Not a very good example from a so called established member.

Gillian

See above......

There is no difference with having 1 post or thousands of posts
When I came here I had knowledge and experience already, even at post 1

This thread intention was "Please do some proofreading of your new threads"
After all these posts on examples and why or why not it is important, proofreading of posts before being submitted is still the best measure.

captaincranky.

OMG, you really are an idiot aren`t you? Did you have to practice this astounding feat of a complete and utter lack of understanding, or does it just come naturally?

Edit: For what it`s worth Kimsland, I do actually agree with you.

Gillian

Well, I've unfortunately come to a different conclusion.

That's all you've done is "voice your opinion", you haven't helped anyone.


\You know what, that was a slip of the mouse, unnecessary, I agree. But surely those lazy, good for nothing moderators will see the error and correct it. Why don't you get on them until they do?

I suppose it's better to be thought of as a fool, than open one's mouth and erase all doubt.

Gillian I've actually helped people, not simply involved myself in criticizing the forum, the moderators, and now me personally, "Idiot" that was directed at me was it not.

All you've done so far in this forum is tell us how much you know, how little we know, and how self involved we all are. Oh, I almost forgot venting your superiority complex on the rest of us.A rose by any other name is still a rose, and so is a troll.

QFT

gillianbrown; Calling other members idiots etc is no way to get people to respect you more, which is pretty much what this thread is all about.

Consider this a warning, I wont edit any of your posts nor ban you, but you are threading a very very thin line there!

I believe the abusive posts should be removed (or edited)
I also feel the TOS should be updated to state No Abuse what so ever

This is not my calling, but leaving posts like this here in some ways actually allow this on TS, in some circumstances.
I'm sure captaincranky would want the post removed as well. Actually I believe many of the no-relevant posts should be removed, and thread closed.

Just my thoughts

I am going to say one thing:

I prefer when people double post in that situation. I don't want someone to make one LONG post starting with a simple thought, THEN going onto the exact responses.

If it would be possible, I'd really be honored if we could leave at least this partial one in. If I had it to do all over again, I'd spell "impression", im-prek-shun. I think any abuse here is more than offset by the humor. Plus it is illustrative of some of the problems that began the thread in the first place, and rightly so.

I`m sorry Per, but in all honesty I was only stating what is plain for all to see. Not all by any means, but some of your members seem to think it`s perfectly ok to post utter garbage and in that respect I do think they are idiots.

The bottom line is as I first stated in my first post in this thread.

TS is supposed to be all about helping folks with computer problems, not castigating them for making grammatical errors.

If this is the norm here and the site is run by a company of jobsworth`s, then maybe I was mistaken in my belief that this is indeed one of the premier tech sites in the world.

In which case I apologise for the inconvenience I have caused and I will go elsewhere where normal people aren`t bullied or ridiculed for what are after all normal human mistakes.

Gillian