OT: Editting

[George Stolz]

After looking at this thread, and the way the margins are jacked on my screen by the link posted, I thought I'd throw this out there for discussion.

I think moderators should feel comfortable converting long links to a 'forum-window-friendly' version, when they notice them.

In general, I imagine the moderators are generally loathe to step in unless something more serious is afoot, but I for one think that it is not impolite for them to do so. Granted, drawing a line can get muddy (typos? sentence structure? bad grammar? ) but I think this one is easily explained off with a small note on the bottom, as is custom.

In the past, I have PM'ed folks to ask them to tweak something, to help with the margins issue. But I feel a bit silly doing so.

Opinions?

A small edit note on the bottom is inconspicuous and explanatory.

(Margin Edit by ________ )

 

[George Stolz]

Editorial editing? I think I need to edit that! :lol:

 

[iwire]

George, I am, and I bet the other moderators are hesitant to change peoples posts.

Although I am 'new' here I have been a moderator elsewhere for a while.

It can be very difficult to edit someones post and not change the meaning, it becomes even more difficult if people have already responded to the problem post.

A few minutes ago I relocated a thread that IMO could not be saved as no amount of editing would make it acceptable and have it still make any sense.

That said I have stepped in and made links more 'forum friendly' or simply fixed broken links. I do this as it effects all the members. I am not going to fix spelling or most UBB code issues.

If I edit for any reason I will put a note at the bottom explaining what was edited.

 

[petersonra]

I can't say I have had any issues with the way minor editing is being done. generally it is done to remove personal information from posts in accordance with forum rules, and a note to the effect is inserted.

The moderators do a fine job of enforcing forum rules without stepping too hard on people, even in delicate areas.

<added> BTW, the OP can always re-edit the edited post if he feels a moderator has changed something inappropriately, unless a thread has been closed.

 

[dlhoule]

unless a thread has been closed.

Do you mean they actually close some links?

 

[charlie b]

I agree with what Bob said about not editing anyone's post to correct language issues (spelling, punctuation, etc). But if I reply to a message with a quote from a previous post, I sometimes will correct language issues within the part that I quote (i.e., within the boundaries of my post, not in the original post), before adding my own comments. It's a subtle thing, but I try to make sure anything I post used correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. I doubt anyone has ever noticed.

I have edited out personal contact information (phone numbers, email addresses). I have deleted posts that contained what I felt to be offensive or unprofessional comments. I have deleted entire threads that I felt did not belong on the Forum (DIY questions, advertisements, insults, etc.). I have on occasion made a minor edit to correct the way a post looks. An example might be if a member tried to quote some other post, but inadvertently deleted a key symbol, such as the final bracket in the [/quote] UBB text, so that the quoted text does not show up on the Forum as quoted text.

The previous version of the Forum software used to state that a post had been edited, and by whom, and when. The current version does not show that information. So if I edit anyone's post in any substantial way (i.e., other than to add the bracket to make the quote look right), I state at the bottom that I had done the editing.

 

[dlhoule]

Charlie said:

It's a subtle thing

Maybe it takes a college education to understand that remark. I have been impressed with your knowledge of the language in terms of everything.

BTW our great spell checker wouldn't offer any suggestions when I missed the t in consequenly. Nor for the missing i in suggestons.

 

[LarryFine]

I voted that editing is acceptable. We could make a page that explains more fully how to create links instead of pasting URL's.

Bob and Charlie, there are forums that automatically abbreviate long links, so they don't cause overrun windows. Want more info on one?

There is a "Close Tags" button (athough there is no button) above the post window, so there's no real excuse for leaving incomplete codes.

 

[George Stolz]

Bump.

Looks like the majority of the forum is okay with editting to keep the margins in line. 8)

 

[iwire]

I have 'fixed' a few margins (including the one George linked to) since this thread was started.

I thank George for bringing this question up. 8)

 

[macmikeman]

Is it only me, or does anybody else find that the spell check does not work for them? I use a not very common browser called Safari. I am guessing the spell check is not Safari friendly.

 

[ryan_618]

I don't change anything, unless there is something offensive, or against the forum rules. If somebody doesn't spell correctly, or is grammatically incorrect, it doesn't bother me and I don't think it should be edited.