What is correct SPAG?

[Pierced Musie]

Was yours like this...

'Dear Cal,

Respect the SPAG rules you lazy bastard!

from Si.'

[sarahandkatie]

Now, you can take it whichever way you want. Some choose to take everything personally and to be honest, I don't care if you or anyone else do.

I think this is a very very strange thing for a MODERATOR to say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think i lot of people are too ashamed to say anything about their speeling difficulties and even after a warning they may not like to say and thus be banned for being ashamed. I appreciate that when I spoke to Si co about this issue it was resolved and made me feel more at ease but then at the bottom it said I've posted it on a moderators board so everybody knows, that is not something I wanted. But it was done anyway. That is what makes a person feel singled out, and also makes people uncertain whether they would ever be confident in using this board. I use many other forums and have never once received warnings or friendly letters from them. Their boars look nice even without proper grammer and spelling mistakes. I feel that being singled out on this board is a very very strange and upsetting experience for anyone who feels something. And yes some people are upset more easily, BUT that is something a moderator should just take and accept and think more. It is not the persons fault they have low self esteem. I think Mar mars comments prove that SOME moderators just don't care and how can we go and ask for help when we are getting responses like this.

[Zetti]

Now, you can take it whichever way you want. Some choose to take everything personally and to be honest, I don't care if you or anyone else do.

I think this is a very very strange thing for a MODERATOR to say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think i lot of people are too ashamed to say anything about their speeling difficulties and even after a warning they may not like to say and thus be banned for being ashamed. I appreciate that when I spoke to Si co about this issue it was resolved and made me feel more at ease but then at the bottom it said I've posted it on a moderators board so everybody knows, that is not something I wanted. But it was done anyway. That is what makes a person feel singled out, and also makes people uncertain whether they would ever be confident in using this board. I use many other forums and have never once received warnings or friendly letters from them. Their boars look nice even without proper grammer and spelling mistakes. I feel that being singled out on this board is a very very strange and upsetting experience for anyone who feels something. And yes some people are upset more easily, BUT that is something a moderator should just take and accept and think more. It is not the persons fault they have low self esteem. I think Mar mars comments prove that SOME moderators just don't care and how can we go and ask for help when we are getting responses like this.

SarahandKatie. Being on the moderator means that they are aware and will avoid any confrontations on any level.

I think you need to accept it.

[Frankie]

I think people are indeed taking this a little too personally. If you go back to the beginning of this thread and read it all the way through you will see that there are a lot of very good reasons why the site owners have instigated this rule.

It is a myth that moderators spend all day sending out warnings for poor spelling. If we did I'd be sending a lot to myself. Several people have received "friendly PM's" or "warnings" lately, as it has been noticeable that having posted perfectly acceptable posts for over a year, they have suddenly started talking in text speak, are forgetting that names start with a capital letter and have completely forgotten that punctuation exists. I don't think that in those circumstances a reminder of the rules is unjustifiable. At times it seems to be that one or two people lapse into MSN style posting and it becomes contagious.

It has been said that the absence of a SPAG rule on other boards does not mean that they look untidy. I have to disagree. I visit a number of sites where there is no SPAG rule and usually give up after a while as many of the posts are, to me, unintelligible. We have members here from from all over the world, and of all ages, and whilst my teenage sisters might be able to converse in MSN style chat, an awful lot of people would not. It is not a lot to ask, in my view, that members post in such a fashion that as MANY people as possible, of all ages, and from all parts of the world are able to participate.

[sarahandkatie]

Thats what i was trying to say I think anyway Zetti. Its just hard for me to get my point across. Me being Me and all. I think perhaps the SPAG rule is being taken to far, and that id people don't want people to know of their business or problems they shouldn't be banned for that. I think instead of focusing on spelling and grammer mistakes i.e capitals or full stops they should just be fucusing on text speak. Sort those people out. I can understand people not understanding tetx speak, but grammer and spelling shouldn't have to be an issue especially when this forum is open to everyone, with or without spelling or english language diffficulties in a whole ( inc. grammer) I mean, so what if 'i' is spelt littley, people understand it. iut's only things like lol or whatever, not everyone can text thats what should be looked at. I think that is the point everyone is trying to get across, yeah its fine when it's text speak shout as much as you like, but when it is just plain english language or grammer hten leave be, iff it is that bad, then instead of writing a long pm telling you your spelling is wrong, ask if the person writing the topic would like help i.e proof reading for their posts, be a little more passionate. for example.

Dear whoever,

I was recently reading a post you made and noticed that their were a few spelling mistakes, I know that alot of people suffer with spelling and grammer and understand that this is just life. I would like to offer my help in perhaps being a proof reader for your posts. I feel that this would help both yourself to feel you are posting in the best way possible and also us at bttb to help others get their point across.

Please do no hesitate if you would like some advice or help, or if you would prefer this not to be mentioned again,, just let me know. We are here as moderators to help.

Yours

Modertor.

I think if i had recieved this message I would have fefelt less dissheartened. And more upbeat because I was being offered proper help, and not just being 'shouted' at for speeling incorrectly. I is fine, if a person who has been a member of the board for a while starts being sloppy or lazy then they should be told but to send these long pms to quite new posters is a little uncomfatable to the persons involved. I am trying my hardest to get my point across and hope the moderators can understand whereI am coming from, or what i am trying to say. Thank you for reading. Please do not take this as a personal statement towards anyone, it is just my thoughts and ideas.

Sarah

[Cal]

Was yours like this...

'Dear Cal,

Respect the SPAG rules you lazy bastard!

from Si.'

Twas a bit like that, yes. *joke*

[Frankie]

Me being Me and all. I think perhaps the SPAG rule is being taken to far, and that id people don't want people to know of their business or problems they shouldn't be banned for that.

NO ONE on this board has EVER been banned for having poor SPAG. That is a myth. Please get this in perspective. Several have had temporary suspension for persistent use of text speak, but that is hardly the same thing.

If you feel hard done by I think the place to take this is to the moderators or to the site administrators. We are nice people, really we are , and we don't bite ...much

It does not make sense to say that you do not want people to be aware of individual difficulties and then to constantly post about them.

This thread is for people to ask questions about SPAG and not to debate the rule itself. The rule is not going to go away, so if you anyone wants some help with anything we are happy to give it. Just PM one of us.

[freakybuffy]

Question is any text language ok? Because alot of people use things like, LOL,LMAO,IMO,BTW etc... And i'm scared of putting them in posts as i don't want a second warning.

Cheers

[Frankie]

Answer: Yes the obvious ones like IMO, BTW LMAO are acceptable occasionally...... its the cos, u, 2moro, b4, sort of thing which is not accepteable.

[Cal]

'LOL' just wouldn't be the same if it was 'Laugh out loud'