not the dog; not the homework

[JimLucas]

I had typed a much longer reply, but the spell checker ate the whole thing

Having had similar experiences a few times, I now make it a habit on longer posts to frequently copy my text as I compose it (easy enough under Windows, where it's ctl-A, ctl-C, shift to non-browser text editor, then ctl-V). Then if something goes wrong where I'm composing the text in my browser, I can copy back everything up to the last time I took my copy.

 

Sometimes I even compose the whole thing in my word processor, after first copying any quoted text I'm responding to. Then when I'm finished, I copy and paste it back into C.net's composition window and click on the "Preview Post" button. (I never click the "Add Reply" button until I've first read through the preview and corrected any errors. Rarely is the first cut error-free. There's "always "at least one typo.)

[PeterT]

Sometimes I even compose the whole thing in my word processor, after first copying any quoted text I'm responding to. Then when I'm finished, I copy and paste it back into C.net's composition window and click on the "Preview Post" button. (I never click the "Add Reply" button until I've first read through the preview and corrected any errors. Rarely is the first cut error-free. There's "always "at least one typo.)

Me too!

 

I have the problem in that some of my "typos" are words other than those the brain is telling me to type. I guess this is the downside of having to hunt for certain letters on the keyboard, wondering why they don't seem to be where they were the last time I needed them! Despite re-reading, I don't always pick up these errors.

 

I'm still waiting for that musical keyboard, so I can type "by ear", and view what I'm typing on the screen!

[Pete Dunk]

Despite re-reading, I don't always pick up these errors.

Sounds disturbingly familiar. There's something in the human psyche that allows you to selectively filter out an error because you've already decided that this section is ok. It's the same thing that allows an engineer to persistently overlook a simple fault during troubleshooting because the decision has already been made that this isn't the cause (or even worse that it's so blindingly simple that it really must be something else).

 

Welcome to the human condition.

[Leo]

I use Windows Notepad to compose most posts. Then I refill my coffee cup and come back and read what I've written. Sometimes it's not what I wanted to say. Somehow going from my brain to my fingers it comes out different, so it gives me a chance to edit before I post. Then I copy and paste into the forum editor for formatting.

 

Thanks

Leo

[PeterT]

Welcome to the human condition.

So ....... does that mean I'm human, after all? I never knew!

 

Wanders off, muttering, and thinking that much research needs to be done.

[LDT]

I just type and if there'sm a typo..unless its a really obvious one I just leave it. doesn't vbother me. I know I can't spell properly.

[JimLucas]

I use Windows Notepad to compose most posts. Then I refill my coffee cup and come back and read what I've written. Sometimes it's not what I wanted to say. Somehow going from my brain to my fingers it comes out different, so it gives me a chance to edit before I post. Then I copy and paste into the forum editor for formatting.

Yep. That's where Preview Post comes in handy... because it can show you and me where we've made errors in the formatting tags. That's something ordinary text editors and word processors can't do for you.

[Simon H]

Its interesting to read a thread about keyboard skills and lack thereof, on a forum largely dedicated to keyboard skills of a different nature. we are all touch typers to a greater or lesser degree on concertina, i wonder how many of us are on PC. Even though I've been using qwerty keyboards since the 1970's i've never learned to touch type, even though my job is 90% sitting in front of a PC. Yet as soon as I pick up my EC I expect to be able to touch type ! Fascinating !

[LDT]

Its interesting to read a thread about keyboard skills and lack thereof, on a forum largely dedicated to keyboard skills of a different nature. we are all touch typers to a greater or lesser degree on concertina, i wonder how many of us are on PC. Even though I've been using qwerty keyboards since the 1970's i've never learned to touch type, even though my job is 90% sitting in front of a PC. Yet as soon as I pick up my EC I expect to be able to touch type ! Fascinating !

I find it harder to type on a mac than a pc keyboard...but still prefer macs though. (although it should be the other way round according to the Gadget Show) and I sorta learned to touch type through using msn messenger and forums like these....hence why I have a bad habit of using abbreviations.

Edited December 15, 2008 by LDT