Use Of Punctuation In A Post And What Is Annoying or Confusing

[Rick TYler]

Extra credit will go to anyone who correctly uses a semi-colon in a post.

You can also look like a genius by avoiding the most common spleling errors:

"Its" is possessive as in "the robot lost its transmission in the final match." "It's" is a contraction of "it is" as in "A better transmission -- it's what I need."

Their, they're and there are all different words.

Two, to and too are all different, too.

Homonyms don't have to be your enemies.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

You can also look like a genius by avoiding the most common spleling errors:

This is why one should never be a grammar cop; You will either make a mistake involving spelling, punctuation, or grammar; be wrong; or just generally make a jerk out of yourself.

Rick, I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume this was a typo. But it was to funny to pass up.

EDIT: I also assume that said extra credit will not be given for correctly using a semicolon in a post about code. Is this correct?

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

This is why one should never be a grammar cop; You will either make a mistake involving spelling, punctuation, or grammar; be wrong; or just generally make a jerk out of yourself.

It is one of the Unwritten Rules of the Internet (dating back to Usenet days long before the Web) that any post criticizing spellling will include something that is misplleed. Even if you slpell-check and are extra-careful, the Forces that Control the Universe will mung the speleling before the message is delivered. Guaranteed. It's a rule.

In its FAQs AFU had this: "spelling flames are lame." I'll stick to that.

I don't troll on Delphi, but in the old days I would have just responded "YHBT, HAND." Oh, when men were men and Craig Shergold stories filled tafkac...

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

I don't troll on Delphi, but in the old days I would have just responded "YHBT, HAND." Oh, when men were men and Craig Shergold stories filled tafkac...

I don't even know what YHBT, HAND means. I dnt think iv tlkd liek thIs since the end of 6th grade.

I'm extremely guilty of incorrectly using ellipses. I generally use them because I'm either not confident in what I'm saying (and they can imply uncertainty), or because I don't know how to finish my thought and would like someone to finish it for me. Or I use them to show my train of thought.

Remember, punctuation matters. A colon* is the difference between a panda eating, shooting, and leaving, and the same panda eating shoots and leaves.


*side note: I was amazed when nobody in my English class knew what a colon was used for. In a class of about 20 high school students, I was the only one who didn't respond to our teacher's question with a blank stare. It was shocking.

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by Karibou

*side note: I was amazed when nobody in my English class knew what a colon was used for. In a class of about 20 high school students, I was the only one who didn't respond to our teacher's question with a blank stare. It was shocking.

Now, if that had been an anatomy class, you would have had LOTS of correct answers!

(ObExplanation: YHBT, HAND = You have been trolled, have a nice day.)

(MoreExplanation: In the above case, where I was NOT trolling, Andrew did what used to be known as "jumping into the boat." I was making a little joke and Andrew, who quite honestly doesn't know me nearly well enough to be sure that my misspelling was accidental, thought it was genuine. Hence, if I had been trolling to attract a clueless answer, and Andrew took the bait even if it were not actually proffered, I would have been expected to post, "and sometimes they just jump into the boat." We were all Really Funny in the Olden Tymes.)(See, misspelling "spelling" on purpose was a shibboleth. You utes have to go look that up, I don't have time to 'splain it right now.)

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

(See, misspelling "spelling" on purpose was a shibboleth. You utes have to go look that up, I don't have time to 'splain it right now.)

It's a reference to Judges 12. If you said "Shibboleth", you were fine. If you said "Sibboleth", due to not being able to pronounce "Shibboleth", you were six feet under.

It's like a password.

Now, back on topic: I generally won't call you on spelling and grammar errors. If you're constantly misspelling words, or it's a really funny misspelling, I might, though. I make enough mistakes myself that I get enough proofreading practice that way.

[Andy Baker]

I'll chime in here also.

Along with all of the wise advice above, be concise.

Keep in mind, every post you make on this site may be read by over 1,000 people within one day. These people include adults and students, executives and siblings, people who can hire you and people who can turn you down for a possible job. Each one of these readers create an instant opinion about you. Careful posting will drive positive opinions.

Andy B.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

I'll chime in here also.

Along with all of the wise advice above, be concise.

Keep in mind, every post you make on this site may be read by over 1,000 people within one day. These people include adults and students, executives and siblings, people who can hire you and people who can turn you down for a possible job. Each one of these readers create an instant opinion about you. Careful posting will drive positive opinions.

Andy B.

I love it when I can quote the wise ones like Andy Baker.

This is a thread resurrection but I think it is ok. It's a good read and has some wise advice such as the quote you are enjoying from Mr. Baker. I'd like to add a couple of thoughts about tone and usage of a smiley.

Smileys are awesome when used well. When misused, they are a distraction and can be annoying. They also emphasize the tone of the post. As Andy says, careful posting will drive positive opinions. If you are posting in a Chit-Chat thread, it is very possible that the discussion will be a little different than say, a rules thread or an awards thread. In threads where information is being exchanged, discussed, or clarified - clear communication is necessary. Humor is a great tool when used wisely. When humor or sarcasm is misused or applied with too heavy a hand, it can derail or interrupt the discussion, perhaps causing confusion instead of clarity. One should also try to keep in mind that people who read threads like the rules threads, may be reading them for more than discussion's sake and they appreciate the integrity and careful thinking reflected in the discussion.

Jane

[Ryan Simpson]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

Extra credit will go to anyone who correctly uses a semi-colon in a post.

Grammar and spelling are important; they should not be overlooked.

(Do I get extra credit? )

Everything that was said here is true. When you use bad grammar, you look like you are uneducated and unintelligent. That should be enough motivation to double-check what you are typing before you actually post it.

Another thing that's really obnoxious is the overuse of the caps lock button. Simply stating an opinion is more than enough to get the point across. I have found that the more you talk, the less likely it is that people will listen to you.