Doug's Blog 
Why spelling counts
The few times I've tried to help someone with their spelling in the forums I'll get either no reaction at all, or some variation on "I don't need your fascist rules, man. I write how I feel".
But the hard facts are, if you're looking to get responses on the internet today, you're reliant on seach engines such as google. And those don't take spelling into account.
So if you're looking for information on Photoshop, but type it as Photoshpo, forget anyone ever finding you via google (unless they just happen to match your spelling error).
The 6th most common term typed into google that leads people to this site is "thesauraus". We rank 9th for that particular spelling (with this post that rank will probably go up). But that posting will be invisible to anyone searching for "thesaurus".
So get a toolbar spellchecker. Google toolbar is free and has one.
But the hard facts are, if you're looking to get responses on the internet today, you're reliant on seach engines such as google. And those don't take spelling into account.
So if you're looking for information on Photoshop, but type it as Photoshpo, forget anyone ever finding you via google (unless they just happen to match your spelling error).
The 6th most common term typed into google that leads people to this site is "thesauraus". We rank 9th for that particular spelling (with this post that rank will probably go up). But that posting will be invisible to anyone searching for "thesaurus".
So get a toolbar spellchecker. Google toolbar is free and has one.
Total Comments 8
Comments
 | Speeling knot onle conts case ti si eazer to reid 'nd duzn't mak u saund ignernt. I found a paper yesterday by a college student that had more grammar mistakes and spelling errors than a 6th grader should have. I was appalled. This person is in college for heaven's sake. If a person is going to succeed in life, then spelling definitely counts and not just for search engines and the like. Janet (typos aside  ) |
  |
| | SpellingI have a love hate relationship with spelling checks ( I did used to use the one we had here, ) the main problem with them is that i cant spell the word in the first place let alone put it into a spell check to see how they are spelt properly ? And i suppose my worst fault is grammar  Palms |
| |
| | I can understand an occasional typo. I'm the world's worst at both spelling and typing. What really reveals a lot to me is the misuse of words such as then/than, effect/affact, there/their. I see this all the time and instantly the writer's thoughts and ideas become suspect to me. |
| |
| | The one we had here doesn't work with the new forum software. But they might fix that. In the meantime, there are lots of free toolbars that do the same thing (click the little ABC in the comment box for one alternative). |
| |
| | Well I'm using Firefox and it seems to have a built in spell checker. or maybe I put in in as a plug-in, I cant remember, but it certainly helps. I underlines mistakes in red similar to the way Word does. Peter |
| |
| | the bad thing about spell checkers is that they never make a mistake... in spelling. but, they will miss a mis-use of a word spelled correctly, like 'they're' versus 'their'. you may spell it correctly and still have it wrong. (they also dont demand capital letters  ) |
| |
| | Guilty SwampyOh heck that's me Swampy I am terrible for that I have a good excuse though, I detested english lessons at school , love reading, but give me maths anyday ?  Glad to hear we might get spellchecker back Palms |
| |
| | "but give me maths anyday" MATH???? That's why I have a husband and two math majors. Sheesh, I can't even add 2+2 without a calculator. "Math," she says. Ugh!!! |
| |
Recent Blog Entries by Doug Nelson
- Birds and Forums (05-12-2008)
- "Make" vs. "Create" (01-14-2008)
- Composts (01-04-2008)
- Shouting into the abyss (11-20-2007)
- Threadophobia (11-17-2007)
