If You Are Going To Post. . .

**Nativedude** · 03-11-2009, 01:01 AM

If you are going to post or answer posts on this forum then you have spell out the words and use punctuation. NOT "texting shorthand & abbreviations".

If you do not know how to spell then use "spell check" or a dictionary.

This is a "Chat Forum", not an instant message of texting forum

Moderators: This should be posted as a sticky in every topic and added to the "Forum Rules & Staff" thread.

**crashdive123** · 03-11-2009, 08:15 AM

Proper spelling and grammar has been hotly debated in the past (anybody remember Batcat?). Those debates always ended in the conclusion that it is more important to share and exchange experiences. While it does make things easier to read and understand, we may have some members that may not have yet learned those things. We certainly have many young members where text messaging is probably more common to them than typing on a keyboard. I wouldn’t want to see people “afraid” to post because they might not yet have the skill to expresses themselves in a coherent manner. We should also remember that we have members from around the world, where English may be as second language to them.

**Pict** · 03-11-2009, 08:27 AM

I happen to be the king of typo's. If I didn't edit and spell check nobody could read what I write. Personally I think it detracts from the credibility of information if it is written sloppy.

Texting makes sense when you're doing it on a cell phone, one handed while eating lunch. Aside from that it's just plain lazy to use it when you have a full keyboard in front of you and time enough to post on the internet. Mac

ETA - Crash. I disagree about the young people. They need to learn to communicate in normal written English (PERIOD). Youth "Code Speech" is fine for when kids are talking with each other, all generations had their own version. That doesn't absolve them from learning the common language spoken by everyone. Most people extend all sorts of grace to people who are posting in their second language. I will make the effort to read a second language post just because the poster took the time to struggle with English. It bthrs me dply whn smn wh hs E as a 1 lang dn't 1/10 effrt+ expt me 2 decode their freaking text. Mac

**rebel** · 03-11-2009, 08:28 AM

Who, at some point said something about spelling? I know I did.
Now, I either understand or don't feel it worth pointing out.
Maybe it's a forum development phase. Where's Remy?

**Rick** · 03-11-2009, 09:20 AM

Texting and misspelled words are two different subjects in my opinion. I agree that texting is inappropriate in written communication. I don't even like to see a text appear on my phone in shorthand. When I see a post that's just too difficult to read I generally skip it. I think most folks do.

As for misspelled words, we need to remember that many folks have physical and/or mental disabilities or literacy issues that may impact their ability to spell. I cringe each time I see someone chastise a member for spelling because I know it's quite possible the writer did the best they could. Spell check is available for those that understand how to use it or recognize that it needs to be used. But words used inappropriately (too vs to vs two, for example) will not be fixed by spell check.

In the end, I really think it boils down to both compassion and patience. If a member has used "text" to post then saying something is appropriate. If they have misspelled something then we should consider they may have done the best they could.

As for making it a sticky, I'm not certain I understand what that would solve. 1st, most folks understand all of the above. 2nd, If a person is struggling with some issue that impacts their posting then a sticky serves no purpose. And 3rd, we have forum rules and other stickies that members don't bother reading or following. (shrug).

**wildography** · 03-11-2009, 09:48 AM

the purpose of posting messages, in this particular forum, is for communication to the members of that forum. Communication involves understanding. If one can't understand the message because of typos, misspelling, grammatical errors, etc then the message is useless. There is nothing wrong with making mistakes in grammer, spelling, etc... unless the message is so hard to figure out that it becomes useless.

Fer xampl, i dink evone nos whad dis says butt it makes u luk unntelijent. This is not the place for using "texting" patterns of word usage... not even for those under the age of 18... yup, that was a hint! LOL

**Chris** · 03-11-2009, 09:54 AM

Personally, I hate that kind of typing. Like using "u" instead of "you" how long does it take to type "you" on a querty keyboard? Like .2 seconds?

Anyone who types like that I assume is a 13 year old D student. But that doesn't mean it is against the rules. It is not our job to police grammar.

If you really really can't stand it, ignore the person. Either in practice, or with the forum ignore feature. Or, you could send them a PM, let them know typing like that makes them look like a fool, and if they want more respect from other forum members they should type out full words.

**Alpine_Sapper** · 03-11-2009, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Nativedude

If you are going to post or answer posts on this forum then you have spell out the words and use punctuation. NOT "texting shorthand & abbreviations".

If you do not know how to spell then use "spell check" or a dictionary.

This is a "Chat Forum", not an instant message of texting forum

Moderators: This should be posted as a sticky in every topic and added to the "Forum Rules & Staff" thread.

Thanks, but I don't think u have the right 2 tell me how 2 act, talk, or behave online. If u can't decipher what I'm saying, don't read teh post. Maybe u should have phrased it as a question, instead of trying 2 dictate how other people behave.

**rrsnook** · 03-11-2009, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by Nativedude

If you are going to post or answer posts on this forum then you have spell out the words and use punctuation. NOT "texting shorthand & abbreviations".

If you do not know how to spell then use "spell check" or a dictionary.

This is a "Chat Forum", not an instant message of texting forum

Moderators: This should be posted as a sticky in every topic and added to the "Forum Rules & Staff" thread.

Opinions like this are the reason I do not post very often.

**remy** · 03-11-2009, 11:35 AM

lolllllll
Not to be a punk or anything...but...

"If you are going to post or answer posts on this forum then you have spell out the words and use punctuation."

"This is a "Chat Forum", not an instant message of texting forum"

?!?!?!?!?

**pgvoutdoors** · 03-11-2009, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Pict

I happen to be the king of typo's. If I didn't edit and spell check nobody could read what I write. Personally I think it detracts from the credibility of information if it is written sloppy.

Texting makes sense when you're doing it on a cell phone, one handed while eating lunch. Aside from that it's just plain lazy to use it when you have a full keyboard in front of you and time enough to post on the internet. Mac

ETA - Crash. I disagree about the young people. They need to learn to communicate in normal written English (PERIOD). Youth "Code Speech" is fine for when kids are talking with each other, all generations had their own version. That doesn't absolve them from learning the common language spoken by everyone. Most people extend all sorts of grace to people who are posting in their second language. I will make the effort to read a second language post just because the poster took the time to struggle with English. It bthrs me dply whn smn wh hs E as a 1 lang dn't 1/10 effrt+ expt me 2 decode their freaking text. Mac

PICT- I absolutely agree!

**klkak** · 03-11-2009, 12:16 PM

I too agree that spelling and punctuation are very important in written communication.

**Pict** · 03-11-2009, 12:41 PM

I have certain words I mistype every time I write them.

I cannot type the word "the" without conscious effort. I have typed every version of it possible, "teh" being the most common. I manage to write, int he, oft he, ont he, every time I write a message. i cannot capitalizr teh letter i, ever. Nor can I write the word "for", it always comes out fro.

If i was to typwe mu messages without correction they would look like this paragraph every time i write andythign and i thing that woulod seriously detract from what I was trying to say. i type very fast but very poorly but if I want to be taken seriouldy I know i need to correct my tyoping. Mac (in t5he raw)

**Sarge47** · 03-11-2009, 12:44 PM

Well now, the way I see it I have several options here:
1.) Ignore texting-type messages. (tempting)
2.) Respond as best I can given the "gobbledy-gook" of the 'texter";

then that person bears the brunt of the misunderstanding. (Sounds like fun! That's probably what I'm going to do!)

**doug1980** · 03-11-2009, 12:50 PM

I think I will keep my opinion on this subject to myself.

**klkak** · 03-11-2009, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by Pict

I have certain words I mistype every time I write them.

I cannot type the word "the" without conscious effort. I have typed every version of it possible, "teh" being the most common. I manage to write, int he, oft he, ont he, every time I write a message. i cannot capitalizr teh letter i, ever. Nor can I write the word "for", it always comes out fro.

If i was to typwe mu messages without correction they would look like this paragraph every time i write andythign and i thing that woulod seriously detract from what I was trying to say. i type very fast but very poorly but if I want to be taken seriouldy I know i need to correct my tyoping. Mac (in t5he raw)

My fingers have taken special classes for dyslexic typing. They still have problems. So I proof read every comment a couple times then run the spell check then read it again before posting.

**bulrush** · 03-11-2009, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Nativedude

This is a "Chat Forum", not an instant message of texting forum

Thank you!

Also be aware that people can access the internet via cellphone now. And some cellphones capitalize all letters, automatically, and there is no way the user can control this. As a programmer myself, I want to say there is absolutely no reason for changing all letters to all caps. One letter takes up the same space on the computer or while travelling the network, regardless of case.

Kids these days, with their 8-tracks, and texting, and bell-bottom jeans, and stuff.

**Rockgod1619** · 03-11-2009, 03:27 PM

I have to say, I absolutely agree with Nativedude and Pict. I'm 24, young enough to understand the "text language", but I'm proud of my ability to properly spell and speak with proper grammar. Sure, some people deserve the benefit of the doubt (those with English as a second language), but the majority of the people on this forum are native English speakers and I can understand when the older generation (no offense) have problems deciphering "E-scribblings".