I just wrote my first guide and I would love to have some feedback. I plan on writing a few more but I want to know if I am off to a good start.

http://reviews.ebay.com/Guide-to-Starting-Your-Own-Web-Site_W0QQugidZ10000000000005917

Please vote for my guide to let me know what you think.

Hi ?
The good news:
An excellent idea that must have taken a lot of effort. It will be a boon to newbie ebayers, but.....

The bad news:
It needs some serious proofreading; I spotted two typos in the second paragraph, and countless more.
Sadly, like it or not, there is nothing that looks more unprofessional than typographical errors thet 'shout' at you.

As I hope this is taken as constructive criticism, and done with a smile, I am prepared to put my money where my mouth is, and offer myself to do it; it would take a couple of weeks, though.
Make sense?

quote:

Sadly, like it or not, there is nothing that looks more unprofessional than typographical errors thet 'shout' at you.

Was that deliberate?

quote:

Originally posted by Feedingseagulls:

quote:

Sadly, like it or not, there is nothing that looks more unprofessional than typographical errors thet 'shout' at you.

Was that deliberate?

I could say that, but in truth, it is one I missed - had I re-read it, it would have shouted at me!

quote:

had I re-read it, it would have shouted at me!

That's what thet all say.

Slightly funny story - when I saw thet, I was sure it was intentional, Mike. Glad you brought that up, Feedingseagulls.

I agree with Rick (that's twice in two months) that "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" without checking their own work first!

However, I think it's the nature of the box layout that makes proof reading so difficult so I have every sympathy with you Mike in this case as I used to make awful "howlers" in my postings.


Could I make a recommendation here.

Download the Google toolbar, it has a most useful form filling checker. What's more it's easy to use and you can add technical terms etc. It's also free.

However there is one snag, it doesn't check AS input because this is a pop up window! Works for most other boards though.


I pride myself on my command of the English language (including spelling!) but each time I put the Google checker on my work it finds at least 3 to 5 typos. I do know the correct spelling, but in the haste to write and post, elementary checking gets missed.

Paul

I simply cannot type! I went through college using the two finger typing method and I still do, often missing letters or hitting the wrong ones. But, hey, life goes on. There are many more important things in this life to worry about before we die.

I think it was Dustin Hoffman that came up with the following line for his tombstone:
I knew this was going to happen.

I think my tombstone will say, "He hated speling."

quote:

Originally posted by Jabbergah:
I think my tombstone will say, "He hated speling."

I think the late, great, Spike Milligan's was best:
"I told you I was ill !"

quote:

Originally posted by Camera:
I agree with Rick (that's twice in two months) that "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" without checking their own work first!

However, I think it's the nature of the box layout that makes proof reading so difficult so I have every sympathy with you Mike in this case as I used to make awful "howlers" in my postings.


Could I make a recommendation here.

Download the Google toolbar, it has a most useful form filling checker. What's more it's easy to use and you can add technical terms etc. It's also free.

However there is one snag, it doesn't check AS input because this is a pop up window! Works for most other boards though.


I pride myself on my command of the English language (including spelling!) but each time I put the Google checker on my work it finds at least 3 to 5 typos. I do know the correct spelling, but in the haste to write and post, elementary checking gets missed.

Paul

I'm with you on that, Paul.
When I am just typing a message, I have to re-read it at least once to correct it, and maybe even edit it again when I have posted it.

Because of my recent bout of dysphasia, another feature comes up - if I think ahead about a word, I type in the letters from the previous word! A bit like 'A bike like' Weird!

Typos are usually to do with the actual layout of the keyboard - when becomes whan, file becomes fiel.
Spell checkers would highlight these, but many errors are because the wrong word has been used:

• Loose for lose
  
• Your for you're
  
• Its for it's
  

No spell checker would find these - one reason that things need proofreading as well.

If I am typing a serious document - quote, user guide, technical doc, web page et al, I will re-read it a little time after I have typed it, and usually find there is something to correct.
So, you will probably find that such documents of mine are glass-house-free! If not, constructive criticism is welcome.
Your surgeon may never have had appendicitis!

I see nothing wrong with correcting your message to perfection if you like. However, I do see something wrong in correcting other people's messages. Someone might be intimidated by this and not want to post because they might be put down. Of course this does not include the occasional exchange between members who exchange in fun.

Yup - no offence intended (or taken). I often suffer from typographic errors whilst posting or similar - and I never get all of them before subbmmitting! (sic)

quote:

Originally posted by Feedingseagulls:
Yup - no offence intended (or taken). I often suffer from typographic errors whilst posting or similar - and I never get all of them before subbmmitting! (sic)

None here, either!
I regard a forum as a conversation; if I said something like 'I have a wooble on my pendulum' then I don't think anyone would be so po-faced that they could resist in passing a remark, and I would smile as well!

quote:

Originally posted by Mike from West Yorkshire:
I regard a forum as a conversation; if I said something like 'I have a wooble on my pendulum' then I don't think anyone would be so po-faced that they could resist in passing a remark, and I would smile as well!

Ha Ha - that will teach me to skim read before getting ready for work.....I read that as poo-faced first time around. (It has something to do with changing nappies [diapers] all day I believe!)