Re: spelling and grammar

I have been reading this particular thread with interest. It's long been a 
frustration to me to view websites that have very obvious spelling and 
grammar errors, and we won't even go into how many don't live up to good 
design.... We are assuming here that the participants on THIS list do a 
better job than that. :-)

I'm not perfect, I know I make errors and don't always catch them. I've not 
had formal training as a tech writer but I'm reasonably skilled in writing 
and spelling. Knowing I occasionally make errors or miss a typo, I insist a 
client look things over and tell me if s/he catches any problems, and 
preferably gets others to look the site over for the same purpose. In some 
cases where a lot of copy is required, I call in one of my tech writer 
associates for writing/editing to make sure the job is done right. I highly 
recommend maintaining a list of such people as outside consultants who can 
be called to assist when needed.

In terms of publishing, on paper or in digital format, I've noted a great 
increase in the number of errors that appear in "completed" work. There are 
many people, including myself, who are turned off by a site immediately 
when they come across consistently misspelled words and chances are 
excellent they won't return. If you can't trust the spelling and grammar on 
a site, why should you trust the information thus imparted? One cannot 
emphasize enough the importance of quality work in all aspects of a web page.

>I think what has happened is that the field of web design is currently
>dominated by technicians and computer graphics professionals

I'm a computer graphics professional and a technician, but I was also 
taught spelling and grammar in elementary school. It has nothing to do in 
particular with one's field of endeavor. IMHO the increasing emphasis by 
the educational system on passing a state-approved test that "proves" kids 
have basic skills (and teachers having to teach to the test) rather than 
the kids really learning skills they can use is the culprit. The school 
systems have no choice, it's what lawmakers are forcing on them.

As long as all web designers continue to strive for higher quality work, 
which is what I see as the real emphasis of these mailing lists (since we 
all learn from them), this medium will continue to improve... and if you 
want to look at it in a more self-serving way, your paycheck will increase 
with better quality work.  :-)

Btw, I often read the list at those times when I can spare a few moments, 
very often long after a thread has ended, and would appreciate answers to 
participants' questions being posted for all to read rather than just sent 
on to the person asking the question. I don't want to repost a question 
shortly after someone has already done so, but it's clear at times that all 
the replies to their question have been sent privately. I've been guilty of 
this answering privately from time to time so I know why one does it, but 
there are times someone thinks of a question and I find shortly thereafter 
that I also I have need of the answer. Posting answers to the list as well 
as privately is much appreciated by those of us who "lurk" from time to 
time. Thanks!


Pat

http://www.tonerdesign.com

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