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On Fri, 2005-23-09 at 15:53 -0400, arroxaneullman -at- aol -dot- com wrote:
> IMO, it is inappropriate to judge one's professionalism based on
> typing/spelling in a discussion list (or IM, informal email, text
> message, etc). That would be like judging your presentation and public
> speaking skills based on your ability to chit-chat over the phone.
> whirl/ for more resources and info.
I suspect there's a simple reason for some people thinking that the same
standards should apply to a mailing list as to a professional document.
Typing and spelling are one of the few clear skills that a technical
writer has. Even other technical writers don't necessarily have a strong
sense of structure, let alone the knowledge to judge the accuracy of a
technical piece. They emphasize typing and spelling because these are
the skills they can most easily recognize -- not because these are the
most important skills that a writer needs.
The fact is, an occasional spelling mistake or typo may be embarrassing.
But neither is exactly the end of the world or reason to judge a
writer's skills inadequate.
"Mr Ledbetter won't you tell me again,
What's a Mississippi flush and how's it beat this hand?"
"They don't ask questions in the graveyard,
It's a small revolver and any five cards."
- Ray Wylie Hubbard, "Mississippi Flush"
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