Have Experience? (another rant)

[Samba]

Alex - I totally agree with you!! However, just to make things clear, I am not implying that poor spelling = uneducated keepers. If you own an animal you should already know just about everything there is to know about it, before the purchase.

Phil, I also understand and agree with you, however people are going to do what they want, regardless of what anyone else tells them. To us, it does sound like a bad idea that a 14 yr. old owns a Nile Monitor, but maybe he's an exceptional kid... who knows?

BoidKeeper - It's a mistake for my opinion to be that it LOOKS uneducated if a writer can't spell? No. It would be a mistake if I said that lack of spelling skills = lack of experience/knowledge. Again, I will clear up any confusion - I am not saying that just because a person can't spell doesn't mean they are uneducated, I am simply saying it does and will APPEAR that way. First impressions are sometimes the only thing you have to go by.

Geez, has anyone been READING this????

[Cruciform]

Of course they have.

Look at it this way: Interpreting someone's education or experience based on the way they spell can only produce flawed results in this medium.

It's a forum used by people from around the world, from many different backgrounds and languages as well as disabilities.

Using spelling as a guage means that you are assuming the following:

1) The poster is fluent in North American English.
2) The poster has received a balanced education despite their location, race, or financial disposition.
3) The poster is able to overcome any linguistic or learning disabilities.

There are smart people everywhere, it doesn't mean they're going to get the education or support they need.

I'm not attacking your opinion, just pointing out that using bad data will only generate bad results.

Look beyond the spelling at what people are saying, and the information contained within. That is the measure of their knowledge.

I can spell with the best of them, it doesn't mean my opinions on proper husbandy of Varanids is worth anything. It would look good, but I'd be full of ****

[Samba]

Cruciform,

I agree with you, I agree that a person's knowledge and experience can't be judged by their spelling capabilities. All I have said, and I seem to be struggling at this point to get people to understand, is that on a first impression, I, and I'm sure many other people, will question the reliabilty of an author who has poor spelling skills. That doesn't mean I don't read what they have to say, and by the same token, some people spell beautifully here but don't have a worthwhile thing to say.

If it LOOKS uneducated it may effect the way I interpret their information. It doesn't mean it IS unreliable, it doesn't mean the author IS NOT experienced. All it means is that I tend to be cautious about the information when reading a post. Yes, just because their writing wasn't perfect.

I'm not perfect either... I'm not beyond mistakes, or being human, and I'm sorry if anyone is offended by my opinions, but that's the way I am, and who I am is not something I will be sorry for.

Again, for the millionth time, I am not making fun, or saying anyone who can't spell is stupid.

[capsicum]

Samba, I see where you're going with this. If your first impression of someone is that they are uneducated (unless their location gives it away [English not their first language] or they explain a problem with the language), one would be tempted to think that they might not know what they are discussing.
I have that problem too, but mine is being OCD and highly irritated by spelling errors (which I myself make a lot of, lol). Personally I am working at assuming nothing about the person posting. Hopefully it will keep me out of trouble lol.

TK

[BoidKeeper]

I am simply saying it does and will APPEAR that way. First impressions are sometimes the only thing you have to go by.

Yes, it's sad but true. The average person equates spelling skills with intelligence. Luckily for me and others who can't spell IQ is not measured by ones ability to spell.
Cheers,
Trevor

[Samba]

Trevor... I'm starting to question your ability to READ. I have said, repeatedly, that I do not equate spelling with intelligence or experience.

Capsicum,, thank you for understanding! LOL, I think this forum is going to drive me crazy!!! LOL =)

[BoidKeeper]

I never said you did, I quoted you because I agreed with you about first impressions. If you read something and it's not spelled right you will assume the worse straight away. I'm saying that people do but shouldn't.
Cheers,
Trevor

[ib_inked]

"Me fail english? That's unpossible!"

[BoidKeeper]

Way to go Ralph!

[ib_inked]

haha, you know that one!
I like you better every day.