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VK5QX > SPELLI 28.03.03 12:51l 225 Lines 7771 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : BF0586VK5QX
Read: GUEST DB0FHN
Subj: Re: the biter bitten?? (G4EBT
Path: DB0FHN<DB0ZWI<DB0CHZ<DB0ERF<DB0FBB<DB0GOS<ON0AR<ON0AR<VK6HGR<VK5UJ<
VK5BRC<VK5SPG<VK5LZ
Sent: 030327/1325Z @:VK5LZ.#ADL.#SA.AUS.OC #:60610 [Elizabeth] $:BF0586VK5QX
From: VK5QX@VK5LZ.#ADL.#SA.AUS.OC
To : SPELLI@WW
RULES ARE RULES.
Just can't help replying to the comments from G4EBT regarding one of my
bulletins.
This guy is nearly as good as a certain USA station at misinterpretation
and twisting words. He also appears to be a master of cynicism and side
comment.
My original bulletin was intended to convey, with at least a certain
amount of inferred humour, somewhat of a person's feelings when changes
such as apply to Metric and Imperial measurements are concerned.
For a person who seems to, at least, take some pride in his own efforts at
layout and spelling, he is most critical of someone who may attempt to
encourage others, by example and explanation, to improve their efforts.
Where I see what is patently a mistake I do attempt to correct it.
I have, over quite a period, and on a number of occasions, expressed my
opinion that there is not much excuse for poor spelling now that spelling
checkers are easily available.
This goes for anyone who intends to write for the "benefit" of others.
In the example shown below I did indicate the fact that the word
KILOMETRES is the correct spelling. A "metre" is a measure of distance and
a "meter" is an indicating device. (QED.)
FROM G4EBT we see;
__________
" I don't know who originated the text below, clipped from Ian, VK5QX's
bulletin, but I note that as usual, he couldn't resist the temptation
to mark it as spelling homework, highlighting some trivial errors:
> I was suprised (sic) to see most of our Australian contributors
> using kilometers (sic) for distances when I'd have expected them to
> use miles.
> Has Australia used kms (sic) for a long time or is this
> usage relatively recent?
> Are other metric units used or is Australia still predominately (sic)
> in the Imperial measures world? " __________
__________
Next we see, from that same station (G4EBT);
__________
" The (sic) statements (meaning uncorrected errors as written by the
originator) wre by Ian, who then wrote, (shouting):
> When travelling, and when I want to REALLY know how far a distance is,
> I mentally convert the "kilo-METRE" measurement to miles.
> (Please note the spelling of KILOMETRE.)
> Likewise, when I want to know what the temperature "REALLY" is, I
> mentally convert from degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit.
> P.S. I still remember observing the following, rather amusing,
> incident.
> At a hardware store a customer asked for a piece of timber about 6 feet
> in length, 3 inches in width and 1 inch thick.
> The store assistant explained that such a pice of timber could not be
> supplied and that it would have to be about 2 metres in length, 76
> millimetres wide and 25 millimetres thick.
"Pice" of timber? What's a "pice" then - is that an Aussie unit of
measurement, or - shock horror, is it a SPELLING Mistook by Ian!!!???
__________
Here we see a good example of G4EBT's approach of nastiness and ridicule.
In quoting me, David apparently (and conveniently) ignored the portion of
my text where I made inference to the "perceived" difference in physical,
and possibly mental, comfort when one "knows" what the real temperature,
speed and distance happens to be.
I point these facts out, not only from a personal point of view, but also
with regard to that same approach adopted by him towards quite a few
others.
(He also seems to want to have continual "shots" at Aussies and Americans
for some reason probably known only to himself.)
Just read a number of his bulletins and you will see what I mean.
YES. I did have a spelling mistake too. Naughty me! And NO. It was not
really a "spelling" mistake but merely a "typographical error".
I guess that I did not perform a final spelling check. I do happen to know
how to spell "piece" although I am not the world's best typist. (Again
naughty me!)
I WAS NOT SHOUTING, EITHER.
This time I HAVE raised my voice, somewhat.
However, David G4EBT seems unable to recognise the difference between what
may be described as "shouting" and what can be fairly readily recognised
as added emphasis.
e.g. ". . .when I want to REALLY know how far a distance is,"
Now look at THIS.
Again quoting from the above comments by G4EBT we have;
__________
" The (sic) statements (meaning uncorrected errors as written by the
originator) WRE by Ian, . . ." (Emphasis added.)
__________
I can only guess, probably rightly, that the word "were" was probably the
word intended by David in this instance.
So, you see, he has made the same sort of mistake (?) as made by me.
The difference is that I merely (politely) point out the mistakes, as a
general indication, by using the abbreviation "sic", without going on to
make additional snide and sarcastic remarks.
Now to his incorrect comments shown here.
From G4EBT
__________
" > The customer commented that this would not be at all critical. The
> assistant then used a 1 foot ruler to measure up the piece of timber.
A ruler is a monarch - not a measuring instrument. That's a "rule". "
__________
WRONG!
Look it up your dictionary.
Britannica World language Edition of the Oxford Dictionary.
Rule: A straight stick, RULER, pattern. (Emphasis added.)
A principle, regulation or maxim governing individual conduct.
To mark (paper etc.) with parallel straight lines drawn with a RULER or
by a machine.
(Emphasis added.)
etc. etc.
Ruler: One who, or that which, exercises rule. esp. of a supreme or
sovereign kind.
A straight edged strip or cylinder, usu. of wood or ivory, used for
guiding a pen, pencil, etc. in forming straight lines upon paper etc.
The Macquarie Concise Dictionary.
Ruler: One who, or that which rules or governs; a sovereign.
A strip of wood, metal or other material with a graduated straight edge,
used in drawing lines, measuring etc.
Incidentally, my wife comes from Cheshire in the U.K. and she advises me
that she has always used the term "ruler" to indicate the piece of
material with a graduated scale as described above.
You will rarely hear the word "rule" used in this context here in
Australia.
I also point out that it is not generally necessary to spell the word
"METRE" with a capital letter when using it in the context of a sentence.
As to his gratuitous additional comments;
I have consistently suggested and tried to assist others with problems
associated with incorrect spelling.
I have also emphasised the fact that lack of punctuation, use of capital
letters, where necessary, and incorrect grammar can result in there being
a complete misunderstanding as to what the writer is trying to convey.
I have shown instances where a totally wrong and/or different meaning has
resulted due to such problems.
Additionally, I have pointed out that the use of a spelling checker is not
the complete answer to such problems and, in some instances, can even
result in additional difficulties as far as precise communication is
concerned.
I certainly have sympathy for those individuals who genuinely have
problems when expressing themselves, however, I do not see it as being an
acceptable situation that "any old thing goes". To me that attitude is
simply, in the main, just an excuse for laziness or lack of pride in one's
work.
My aim has been to try and help others to understand that there are ways
in which things can always be improved. This comment goes for such as
David, G4EBT as well as myself.
Finally, I have in the past also made it clear that I do not claim to be
perfect or infallible. There are, undoubtedly, very few people who could
make such a claim and I don't know that I have ever come across one of
these.
Regards,
Ian
__________
73 de Ian, VK5QX
@ VK5LZ.#ADL.#SA.AUS.OC
27 March 2003
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