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  • Subject: Improving legibility of posts
Subject: Improving legibility of posts
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Although I do admit my grammar and spelling are not always perfect, but when its compared to some of the other posts here on the Bnet forums, my writing looks like it was written by an English professor. My suggestion to help fix this problem, and actually force users to write better would be to take on the facepunch forums (the official Garry's mod forum) method which seems to scan the post, looking at sentence structure and if it passes some sort of readability test, you get "points", which are displayed by your alias. However, if the post is deemed unreadable, you loose points. When too many points are lost, you get a temporary ban (12-24 hrs) from the forums. I am not sure how this forum tool works, but I am sure that the creator of the facepunch forums would be more than happy on sharing their method. If this doesn't work, there could be a vote tool which would allow users to vote on the legibility of the post on a scale of 1-10, which if the number goes below a certain level, a ninja could go check it out, but this is highly impractical.

I don't mean to insult anyone's intelligence, but I think this site would help a few people out with grammar, along with Google toolbar for the spell check feature (which has become a habit to check my spelling before I submit anything).

Also, is this post in the right area? If not, I apologize.

[Edited on 07.21.2007 10:58 PM PDT]

  • 07.21.2007 10:33 PM PDT
Subject: Improve legibility of posts
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I see what you're getting at, but I'm going to have to disagree. The great majority of posts here are legible to anyone who takes the time to read them. No, not all of them contain perfect grammar, punctuation, spelling, or capitalization, and in many cases the post in question would be taken more seriously if the writer took the time to improve their technique. However, I don't see it as nearly a big enough problem to warrant punishing those who don't meet a specific criteria. I imagine there are many people on the forums for whom English is a second language, but even ignoring that, I just can't see the logic behind punishing someone for a shortcoming in writing. I can imagine that sort of system would work on a smaller forum, with a more specific user base (and I'd still disagree with this policy in that case), but on a forum like this, with a huge population from a wide variety of age groups and backgrounds, it would just be a hassle.

[Edited on 07.21.2007 10:52 PM PDT]

  • 07.21.2007 10:51 PM PDT
Subject: Improving legibility of posts

"Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind." - Albert Einstien

The problem is people don't realize the way they type is the first impression they have on anyone in a forum. If you are typing like this, " i ownzed teh nubz teh otehr dey, an i twaz soooo awsum!", the first thing people will think is "idiot". Grammar, spelling, and punctuation make it not only easier to read and/or translate, but represents you in an intelligent way. Not to mention it means they can look past your spelling issues at what you are actually trying to say in the post.

Your solution sounds redundant though. It is really more than what we are currently doing, but I think a good flame is a better war than just a stupid point system that doesn't do anything but change some numbers next to you. Not to mention banning someone from a forum for bad spelling is dumb in itself. It is really up to the users themselves to be good at spelling or not. It is usually done because 1) they want to piss people off 2) they don't know english too well 3) they are new to forums.

I do agree spelling is a top priority when posting, but it really isn't something that should be so closely controlled when the things I listed are usually just stupid mistakes except for one instance.

  • 07.21.2007 10:53 PM PDT
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Firefox has spellcheck.
Also, what do you expect from a site dedicated to the world's most popular video game series? People on B.net range from pre-teens to mid-forties. Of course most posts will contain junk |1k3 7h15. Forcing people to post better will just drive away the younger elements of the community; something Bungie would never deliberately do.

  • 07.21.2007 11:20 PM PDT
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Posted by: dalmedya
Firefox has spellcheck.
Also, what do you expect from a site dedicated to the world's most popular video game series? People on B.net range from pre-teens to mid-forties. Of course most posts will contain junk |1k3 7h15. Forcing people to post better will just drive away the younger elements of the community; something Bungie would never deliberately do.

But isn't the game M rated meaning for 17 and older? I hate to say it, but for Bungie trying to attract kids younger than that is actually illegal from my understanding. I doubt that is their goal.

  • 07.22.2007 12:25 AM PDT
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Posted by: jdcproskater3
But isn't the game M rated meaning for 17 and older? I hate to say it, but for Bungie trying to attract kids younger than that is actually illegal from my understanding. I doubt that is their goal.
Nope, ratings up to and including M are merely 'suggestions' to parents, MA needs an adult at least present when the game is purchased, and R is only saleable to persons over 18.

  • 07.22.2007 12:37 AM PDT
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Age range isn't even the point though. Any time you implement an automated system to punish people, that's a problem. If there is no individual reasoning behind any action as serious as a ban, temporary or not, you remove an important step in the process.

Most posts here are legible, even if they aren't perfect. Those who make a bad first impression--that's their problem. Let people think less of them if that's what they're judging by. The few posts that are completely worthless are quickly taken care of by mods. I see no serious potential for good from an automated point-based system for grammar, and some potential for problems. Considering the amount of work that would go into implementing the system, that's totally not worth it. Especially when you add to it that dealing with all the claims of wrongful auto-banning alone would probably double the mods' workload while not really helping them in the process.

Like I said, I see where you're coming from, and as an English teacher myself, I do have a natural tendency toward noticing mistakes, but the suggested system simply isn't practical.

  • 07.22.2007 12:50 AM PDT
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Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

I strongly disagree with this idea.

  • 07.22.2007 7:35 AM PDT
Subject: Improve legibility of posts

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People can Use Firefox. Version 2.0 and up have a built in spell check for people.

  • 07.22.2007 7:44 AM PDT
Subject: Improving legibility of posts
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Posted by: jdcproskater3
My suggestion to help fix this problem, and actually force users to write better would be to take on the facepunch forums (the official Garry's mod forum) method which seems to scan the post, looking at sentence structure and if it passes some sort of readability test, you get "points", which are displayed by your alias.

A great idea, I think. I'd fully support this method being integrated with the forum, however, this may seem highly condescensive to some. After all, who are we to say everyone's post must be legible? We'd be putting down the less intelligent; discriminating them.

Although I favour this suggestion, it's not really fair for those who genuinely struggle with their literature. Most posts can be comprehended without perfect grammer anyway. Yes, it makes the place look unprofessional but, you'll just have to put up with it I'm afraid. This will not work.

~ Cardenio

  • 07.22.2007 8:17 AM PDT
Subject: Improve legibility of posts
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I must strongly disagree with this idea. It is not the look of the post, but the message the post is trying to convey to others. If you don't like the way a post looks, simply don't read it. Doing this idea, in my opinion, would taking away someones opinion. Think of it how you are in their shoes. You spell a few things wrong here and there, and you use little to no grammar, yet you still try. Then, when you press submit, you are unable to do so, due to some bot not being able to 'read' your post. Then you see others that are able to post, and you wouldn't be able to get in on the fun. This idea, in my opinion, is horrid. I couldn't stand going to a forum that would do such a thing to it's users, in this case, it's fans. I said it once, and I'll say it again.

It is not the look of the post, but the message the post is trying to convey. Think about this, and I urge everyone that would even think of agreeing to this, to think about it as well.

  • 07.22.2007 12:10 PM PDT

There are some non-Native English Speakers here. Should they be penalized for not being able to type in perfect English when it isn't their native language? No.

Your idea is restricting user's input to this site, however illegible. There's nothing that you can do to "force" people into writing in better English, but if it comes down to restricting input and opinions, then I have to disagree.

It's the internet, what do you expect?

  • 07.22.2007 12:22 PM PDT
Subject: Improving legibility of posts

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There is a reason I am user ID 1 and my account creation date is before this site came online.

Posted by: x Foman123 x
I strongly disagree with this idea.


Yeah, cause we all know that you can't type legibly...

This idea phails because of the mere fact that not all B.net users speak English as their primary language.

~B.B.

  • 07.22.2007 2:16 PM PDT
Subject: Improve legibility of posts
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As everyone is saying that this is a bad idea, I am beginning to see where everyone is coming from. I do have to say that everyone has brought up some good arguments as to why this is a bad idea. People with English as their second, or even third language is not what I am talking about, though. Most of their posts are legible, even more so than the 13 year olds who post here. Its the people who have very long sentences, with little or no sentence structure, terrible spelling, abbreviate words like they are text messaging, and totally mutilate the English language are the ones who should lose the points.

I would also like to say the spell check built into Firefox is absolutely terrible. It pretty much underlines everything I type, suggesting odd words that I have never even heard of, or suggests the wrong word. Yes, its on the English dictionary. I would suggest the Google toolbar, and if people don't want that, just open Microsoft word (or the free OpenOffice), paste it in their and spell check. Bungie could even add a spell check feature to their forums, similar to Digg, which would be a whole lot more convenient.

[Edited on 07.22.2007 2:24 PM PDT]

  • 07.22.2007 2:23 PM PDT
Subject: Improving legibility of posts
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Posted by: x Foman123 x
I strongly disagree with this idea.
*shock* Is it even possible? Foman used one line? Has the world gone mad??

  • 07.22.2007 8:03 PM PDT
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Posted by: BerserkerBarage
Posted by: x Foman123 x
I strongly disagree with this idea.


Yeah, cause we all know that you can't type legibly...

This idea phails because of the mere fact that not all B.net users speak English as their primary language.

~B.B.


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  • 07.22.2007 10:29 PM PDT

Their is no real need to improve legibility, as long as you can read it, it is fine. If you cant read it, the post was probably intentionaly made that way by somebody looking for attention.

~Theartofhalo2~

  • 07.23.2007 5:47 AM PDT
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Posted by: the art of halo2
Their is no real need to improve legibility, as long as you can read it, it is fine. If you cant read it, the post was probably intentionaly made that way by somebody looking for attention.

~Theartofhalo2~
Subtle.

  • 07.23.2007 5:58 AM PDT