Proof read the news stories!

[Gingerbread Man]

Does anyone proof read the front page news stories for spelling and other silly mistakes before they're put up?

There are quite often spelling mistakes. Well when I say spelling, I mean an extra key got pressed while typing the word.
E.g. 'To' becomes 'top'.

People normally point them out within the comments section and the story gets edited to make corrections.

Whatever program is used to type up the stories, does it not have a spell checker/ grammar checker on-board?


David


My spelling and grammar are not perfect, but I'm not writing for a website with hundreds if not thousands of views each day!

[TonyHetherington]

Gingerbread Man said:

Whatever program is used to type up the stories, does it not have a spell checker/ grammar checker on-board?

I agree that such mistakes are not acceptable in such a hugely read professional website but just to point out that a spell checker wouldn't pick up the word "top" instead of "to" as it's still a correctly spelt word (to use your example).

But nevertheless I agree with your point.

edit; so to summarise - proof READ

Edited by TonyHetherington on Thursday 1st May 16:51

[Gingerbread Man]

Volvo article today: "Volvo however is not happy to merely decrease the chances of injury – it reportedly wants top eliminate injuries and deaths altogether in its vehicles by 2020."

That mistake was in my head and I was writing the post around the problem, rather than thinking of an example to go with my moan.


I was ready for the numerous comments to point out the mistakes that I had made.

[Gingerbread Man]

TonyHetherington said:

Should be a comma in there. Between '"to"' and 'as'?. I agree that such mistakes are not acceptable in such a hugely read professional website but just to point out that a spell checker wouldn't pick up the word "top" instead of "to" as it's still a correctly spelt word (to use your example).

But nevertheless I agree with your point.

Capital letter for 'edit'. edit; so to summarise - proof READ

So piss off!

Edited by Gingerbread Man on Thursday 1st May 17:06

[PetrolTed]

PH isn't currently sub-edited (never has been), but it will be shortly as you're right - it should be perfect. A sub editor has been contracted in and will start in the next couple of weeks.

[Gingerbread Man]

"End of teh charge as we know it?" I wouldn't put my name to the write ups.

[thewave]

PetrolTed said:

PH isn't currently sub-edited (never has been), but it will be shortly as you're right - it should be perfect. A sub editor has been contracted in and will start in the next couple of weeks.

Why not have a section hidden from view open to a few, post the story in there first, those who have access can proof read it quickly (and free), once that's done, make it live on the homepage?

Seems daft not to utilise the power of PH you have at your disposal.

You have dozens of pedants on the forums who enjoy nothing more than correcting erroneous posts, I certainly don't think they'd mind checking over the stories, and highlighing any errors.

Just a thought.

PS Are any of the PH team going to be at Snetterton today?