Forum attitudes

boutiquechoc · 11-07-2008, 10:28

Ok, we all have been on here long enough to know the rules etc.... but I am not sure there is a rule that states you must spell everything correctly, use excellent grammer and not short-cut spell things.....?

I was talking to a friend last week about this site, and he said he posted something one day and all he got was people saying 'dont come on here if you can't spell right'...he has a masters degree but chose to type with the numbers 2...instead of writing two/to/too etc....
This put him off and he said it was full of idiots and has a low opinion of it now....

But, my concern is, if we are all entitled to an opinon etc...why are people getting put off using this site becuase of others attitudes and the fact they don't like 'shortcut' or 'text' speak? I personally don't have a problem with text speak providing you can actually read it and not like this: 'I ow r y?'.
My spelling is atrocious at times as I type too fast and press send before looking at my mistakes, I do claim to have keyboard dyslexia also! lol which in my defence, is true!
I saw on a recent thread earlier someone had written 'since when did we write like 5 year olds'.... if that had ever been aimed at me, I would've thought: 'Who the hell do you think you are Ms/Mr Perfect?'....

I have had a fair bit of crap last week from someone who had nothing better to say but pick on my style of writing and spelling, at which I laughed at, as I know this forum now and I am not a wallflower, however, I do think this whole 'can't you spell' etc...could be and should be stopped. It's boring now and newcomers are being put off using this site and forming opinions due to this that arn't always correct.

Chopsie · 11-07-2008, 10:31

I thought it was a forum rule not to use text speak?

Or is that just a myth??

boutiquechoc · 11-07-2008, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chopsie

I thought it was a forum rule not to use text speak?

Or is that just a myth??

Is it? well, when I signed up I never saw that - I know it's not wanted on here because I've read it from others many times....

Thunzi · 11-07-2008, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chopsie

I thought it was a forum rule not to use text speak?

Or is that just a myth??

It is a rule:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sf Rules page

Topic Content Rules
All posts and content:
- Must be of a maximum font size of 3 and this is limited to 3 lines in any one post
- Must not have words in CAPITAL letters unless an acronym (i.e BBC, SYP, etc)
- Must not be completely bolded - maximum of 3 bolded lines (excluding quote)
- Must contain no swearing (or similar/masked words), no abuse, no racism or anything else prohibited by the Sheffield Forum Terms
- Must not be written in text speech or code
-Don't use threads for one-to-one correspondence (use email/PM!)
Each post add something of value to the thread, so don't just post "haha" for example.
Respect the minimum character restriction for posts (related to above)
Posts should be in English.

boutiquechoc · 11-07-2008, 10:34

ok well in that case, why don't people say 'read the rules on text speak' and not 'are you stupid you can't spell etc....'

BasilRathbon · 11-07-2008, 10:35

The rule to not use txt speak isn't because the forum is snobby or elitist, it's because it's annoying to read and, as there's no character limit on posts, there's no need for it anyway.

Chopsie · 11-07-2008, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by GazE

It is a rule:

Thanks Gaz

As I learnt to write and type before mobile phones were invented, I've never got the hang of text speak anyway - I find it much easier to use whole words!

waxonwaxoff · 11-07-2008, 10:35

I think its fair enough when you can barely read it but sometimes its more a case off, they have nothing to back up their side of the argument. So picking on spelling or punctuation is a last resort. I cant say it puts me off though. If people want to moan about it leave them to it. I know i am lazy at typing but hey ho, ill cope.

foxforcefive · 11-07-2008, 10:35

text speak shouldn't be allowed anywhere, it is so wrong.

About the spelling, I have pulled someone up before but not in a malicious way, as I have been pulled up before.

I don't like it when someone asks an opinion and they are jumped on by the 'law' brigade, quoting the law. We want an opinion, so if you haven't got one, sod off.

BasilRathbon · 11-07-2008, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by waxonwaxoff

I think its fair enough when you can barely read it but sometimes its more a case off, they have nothing to back up their side of the argument. So picking on spelling or punctuation is a last resort. I cant say it puts me off though. If people want to moan about it leave them to it. I know i am lazy at typing but hey ho, ill cope.

I thin you mean "case of", rather than "case off".

(have i just fallen for the old "deliberate mistake" trick?)

Swan_Vesta · 11-07-2008, 10:40

The beauty of having a near endless stream of characters at your fingertips means there is no need to write in text speak. I personally find it distracting and irritating when I have to reread a post because it's indecipherable due to a lack of vowels, inclusion of numbers and random symbols.

It's not hard to construct a coherent sentence in our common language.

Jessica23 · 11-07-2008, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by BasilRathbon

I thin you mean "case of", rather than "case off".

(have i just fallen for the old "deliberate mistake" trick?)

My bold - have I?

willman · 11-07-2008, 10:40

Everybody makes typo's or mistakes - some ar etoo busy to run spellcheckers.Some don't realise they made a mistake or don't care - it's only a forum.There are no forum rules about spelling or grammar. However the use of caps and text speak is listed in the rules that all new members should read before submitting themselves to the other forum users.
For some people it is second nature to correct peoples language and spelling for some it's a hobby.

Tess · 11-07-2008, 10:41

I agree that the "txt spk" does my head in, but with the spelling and grammer I agree, people get really nasty, and there are some words that I cant spell no matter how many times I try

Its a forum for opinions and chat, and there is no rule saying that "Grammer and Spelling must be perfect AT ALL TIMES". Because everyone has an off day - especially me, mine feels perminant lol.

Heyesey · 11-07-2008, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by BasilRathbon

The rule to not use txt speak isn't because the forum is snobby or elitist, it's because it's annoying to read and, as there's no character limit on posts, there's no need for it anyway.

Moreover, some people (dyslexics for starters) have enough trouble reading proper English, without making life even harder for them.

There's also a few people around who still don't have or use mobile phones, and have never seen txtspk in their lives and couldn't be expected to have the faintest clue what any of it says.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boutiquechoc

ok well in that case, why don't people say 'read the rules on text speak' and not 'are you stupid you can't spell etc....'

Picking up on someone's spelling or grammar is usually for one of four reasons:

1) The picker-up is losing the argument and resorts to nitpicking to try to make someone look bad;

2) The mis-spell or errant grammar is of a nature that actually causes the sentence to mean something other than it was supposed to - or, in some cases, to mean nothing at all and be impossible to understand;

3) It's accidentally created a possibility for humour.

4) The poster admits to not knowing how a word is spelt (they post (sp?) after a word, or possibly they're foreign and apologise for their bad English) ... in which, I'll happily supply the information, but in a spirit of education, not criticism.

My own personal favourite is none of the above, but is

5) Someone posted to ridicule another's bad spelling, and their post contains a spelling mistake. Expect no mercy!

Tricky · 11-07-2008, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessica23

My bold - have I?

I have no idea what this means. Is it in code?

Heyesey · 11-07-2008, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tricky

I have no idea what this means. Is it in code?

She's pointing out Basil's typo in a post he made to correct someone else's typo.

As mentioned above - expect no mercy.

Jessica23 · 11-07-2008, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tricky

I have no idea what this means. Is it in code?

I was referring to where Basil had asked if he'd fallen for the 'deliberate mistake trick'. Since his post contained a mistake, which I bolded, I was asking him if I'd fallen for the same trick.

It makes perfect sense to me. Maybe only to me, though

ETA: Not just me, then!

waxonwaxoff · 11-07-2008, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by BasilRathbon

I thin you mean "case of", rather than "case off".

(have i just fallen for the old "deliberate mistake" trick?)

Quite right

If you follow me round the forum all day I can leave you a trail of spelling mistakes for you to correct. It will stop you getting bored and getting up to mischief.

Jabberwocky · 11-07-2008, 10:46

I have a great friend who Ive known for years, I worked with him and hes my best friend in "Real" life.
Some of you know him from Facebook and I would dearly love to get him on SF because as well as being an amusing bloke hes a mine of information... BUT!

He has dyslexia and Im aware of some of the pathetic comments made to people because of their grammar, spelling and what have you on here.

I dearly love this forum and most of the people who use it, but I love and respect my friend more, far too much to have him subjected to some of the dumplings on here.