When is it legitimate/acceptable to edit your posts?

[neil_r]

I sometimes edit my posts, however I only do it when I notice a howling spelling mistake or typo, and then I always fill out the “Reason for edit” box.

I have started to notice that there are some really radical edits going on and worse still, posts are being removed. It always makes me smile when a post is removed that has already been quoted.

So what do you think? I know that if I make a mistake, or have my opinion changed, I will leave my original post and comment on the change in a new one. How about you……….

[Blue Deuce]

I only revise/edit when I notice a spelling mistake. Since I got smart and use "preview post" that happens less often now days.

[ssim]

You raise a pretty interesting point. I think it is a no-brainer to go back and fix spelling or grammar comments. I normally read my post once I have submitted it. I may elect to add or change something within the first minute of it being posted but after that I never touch them.

I feel the larger part of this question goes to the issue of "Do you perhaps regret something that you posted yesterday?" Do you go back and make changes at that point in time. Under the forum rules you have 7 days to make changes to that post. One may regret that they posted something but what is said, is said and you obviously felt that way at one point in time. Perhaps you got caught in the heat of the moment. I have had a couple of occurences where I wanted to change something but rather than edit the original post, I posted a correction to it further down the thread. I always try to make sure that I don't take it to a personal level, unless it is in good fun.

I made a post recently generalizing a certain opinion of mine. It certainly must have ruffled some feathers as it got some rather pointed responses along with some pm's. Through a short series of pm's one of the posters removed his post altoghether. That is certainly his right but his post was not that bad that it had to be removed. I think I clarified my thought process with him through pm's. I do however, still stand by my opinion in the original post.

I don't think that there is a "cut and dired" way of making when it is acceptable to edit and/or remove one of your posts. Pragmatism is a great thing and if you put think your post through before posting you should never have to edit the content, spelling maybe, content, no.

[kram]

If a post has moved on, I dont edit. Somehow, you affect the continuity of the discussion.

[Rob612]

Well, I often do edit/modify, but its basically due to the fact that English is not my mothertongue, so I find myself re-reading and see that what I have written can sound different from what I meant. Not that the corrections often really change something (when you do not know how it "should" be written, you can turn around it, but the mistake is always behind the corner :))

[CyberDyneSystems]

When someone does not think before hitting "Post reply" they often end up embarrased or regretfull. This is the set up for the deleted post. I know I've done it..

[Radtech1]

For me, I find that I usually edit my post 3 or 4 times - in each case, to try to refine what I typed more closely to what I meant. Take these reasons for example:

1) If I re-edit a photo I have posted, I will have to edit to link or upload the new shot.

2) If, upon re-reading what I am replying to, I discover that I had missed the authors point.

3) If, upon re-reading what I typed, I discover a leap of logic that was clear to me as I was thinking, but I did not make clear to the reader.

4) And several of other miscellaneous reasons.

All in all, I am certain that I have more edited post than unedited. Though, I admit that I never answer the "Reason" box as it would take longer to explain why, than to just do it.

Rad

[Wazza]

I often edit to fix up url typos. No one wants dead links. :p

[cmM]

I agree with Neil on this one, I try as much as possible to not edit much of the content to the point where it can create confusion.

IF it do, I at least put a note.

[Belmondo]

I also agree with Neil. If I've made a factual error or said something really regrettable, and others have already made reference to it, I will post a retraction of correction later in the thread. It's too confusing to others who come along later if they see someone making a reference to a comment that no longer exists or has been materially edited.

If there have been no posts subsequent to yours, go ahead and change it as you wish.

[Sam]

The majority of my edits are for speeliing and garmammar. But it really isn't much of an improvement sometimes :) I type faster than I can think...

If it is for another reason I put a reason for edit, but once I am quoted it stays.

[Andy_T]

I often edit a post 3 or 4 times when I first post it ... mainly to do minor changes to the layout or spelling, or to add items for clarification.

Of course, once there's a reply to it, I don't do that any more or point out that I have edited something (in case of really blatant errors).

I know, I might do the same thing with 'preview' ... but maybe I'm too lazy for that...

Best regards,
Andy

[Billbo911]

I often edit a post 3 or 4 times when I first post it ... mainly to do minor changes to the layout or spelling, or to add items for clarification.

Of course, once there's a reply to it, I don't do that any more or point out that I have edited something (in case of really blatant errors).

I know, I might do the same thing with 'preview' ... but maybe I'm too lazy for that...

Best regards,
Andy

Sorry to revive an old post, but I think a common issue has been raised yet no suggestion as to how to fix it. That issue is spelling corrections.

I commonly post on a different site related to another hobby I am into that uses vBulletin to power the forum. One of the features used there is a spell checker. It is just another feature they have that makes reading posts much easier. It also helps poor spellers like me to not sound so ignorant. Is it possible to have that feature turned on or added here?

[cosworth]

Once you're quoted, you should not edit.

[In2Photos]

Sorry to revive an old post, but I think a common issue has been raised yet no suggestion as to how to fix it. That issue is spelling corrections.

I commonly post on a different site related to another hobby I am into that uses vBulletin to power the forum. One of the features used there is a spell checker. It is just another feature they have that makes reading posts much easier. It also helps poor spellers like me to not sound so ignorant. Is it possible to have that feature turned on or added here?

There is a spell check. When you post there is an abc icon in the top right corner, above the smilies. You might have to download iespell to get it to work but I use it all the time.

[Billbo911]

There is a spell check. When you post there is an abc icon in the top right corner, above the smilies. You might have to download iespell to get it to work but I use it all the time.

Sure enough, there it is. MY BAD:o !!!
I'm so used to seeing a Spell Check button right next to the Submit Reply and Preview Post buttons that I just assumed......Sorry 'bout that.

In2Photos, thanks for straightening me out!

[Pekka]

Sorry to revive an old post, but I think a common issue has been raised yet no suggestion as to how to fix it. That issue is spelling corrections.

I commonly post on a different site related to another hobby I am into that uses vBulletin to power the forum. One of the features used there is a spell checker. It is just another feature they have that makes reading posts much easier. It also helps poor spellers like me to not sound so ignorant. Is it possible to have that feature turned on or added here?

Because the forum is so active I would not like to add any additional resource-eaters without a very good reason. I'm not saying we won't have a spell checker in the future, but it needs some research.

[SuzyView]

I would never judge anyone if grammar or spelling is incoorrect :). As far as editing statements already posted, I hardly notice, but realize that everything is fluid and things said may be changed whenever. I would rather not have a spell check, Pekka. So many people from all over the world with different spellings. We can figure it out when someone doesn't write English perfectly. I kind of like the diversity and I like it when things get a little controversial. Makes life interesting. :)

[lakiluno]

I have edited posts, but normally to add information after re-reading my post.

On one occasion I have deleted a post, and that was when I made a post in the buy and sell forum that could of potentially damaged a sale, and decided that it wasn't fair on the seller (the item in question being a 50mm 1.0 lens).

If I do edit a post to add stuff, I'll type Edit: jklgjasgd in the post, rather than just change the original content.