If we’re going to post an article from another source, why is it so difficult to put it in something like a Word document to check its readability and take a few minutes to clean it up?

When first pasted, many articles copied from Internet sources contain extraneous references to advertisements or continually repeat things like headers that appear in the middle of the rest of the text. Things that can be readily ignored when reading the original makes reading a pasted article more difficult.

When someone posts something on a forum like this, it’s presumably because the topic starter thinks the rest of us should, or would like to read it. Countless times, however, I’ve given up on reading something because of unnecessary repetition and clutter that’s not only distracting, but very often confusing and hard to get through.

I appreciate what I learn here, but if you’re going to take the time to find it, read it, copy it, and then post it here, please also take a few minutes to edit out the repetitious and unrelated stuff that adds nothing to the article.

I never post "+1" but this one deserves it. Thank you.

I agree, yet I suspect most posters are using their cell phones and don't have the interest, time, or capability to do such editing.

This is one that I definitely agree with.

quote:

Originally posted by GaryBF:
I agree, yet I suspect most posters are using their cell phones and don't have the interest, time, or capability to do such editing.

I absolutely HATE trying to surf on my phone. Can't see shit to start with, and damn near impossible to post anything without multiple attempts to correct fat-finger mistakes.

As for editing copy-and-paste posts - Yes, please, but it's not that big of a deal for me after I figured out what was going on.

quote:

Originally posted by GaryBF:
I agree, yet I suspect most posters are using their cell phones and don't have the interest, time, or capability to do such editing.

I edit out the crap even when posting from my iPhone. It takes an extra minute to copy & paste with discernment, and it takes an extra minute to re-read after posting.

I don't understand what you are ranting about ,
but Am I guilty of whats pissing you off?

quote:

Originally posted by GaryBF:
I agree, yet I suspect most posters are using their cell phones and don't have the interest, time, or capability to do such editing.

Quite possible. May I submit that if they "don't have the interest, time, or capability," maybe it is not really that important to post a quoted article?

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
I don't understand what you are ranting about

Here is a screen capture from an article recently cut & pasted:


The text in the unrelated advertisement video, "The $80 billion fitness industry sees hug growth in this demographic" was copied into the post. Several people posted about the odd out of place text, and the root cause of the weird, out of place sentence turned out to be exactly what the OP in this thread is complaining about.

I agree with this thread so much!

It is about respect for your audience; in this case your fellow readers.

- Provide a link
- Add some text as to what the link is about
- Crop your photos
- View your post after you ‘post’ to verify it is formatted correctly and is readable.

So frustrating when guys post something and it is obvious they never went back and checked the thread for formatting. Especially pics and videos.

 
I try my best to reread and proof my posts, yet it still amazes me when I come back a week later and read one and find a small typo. Sometimes I read what I think I mean and miss the obvious. I do use some punctuation "wrong" on purpose, such as placing apostrophes to indicate a plural when I think it makes it more readable. It may be wrong, but that's just the way I'll do it.
 

I wholeheartedly agree and always clean up the extra nonsense and links from anything I post.

Pale Horse (pictured above) agrees with OP

“It’s easy to do” says one member

It’s easy to do and makes the article much easier to read and follow.

Stock prices jump after Trumps latest tweet

But as annoying as it is I prefer an unedited copy and paste over just a link that I have to follow.

does not pertain to my posts,
whew!

thanks for taking the time

quote:

I try my best to reread and proof my posts, yet it still amazes me when I come back a week later and read one and find a small typo. Sometimes I read what I think I mean and miss the obvious. I do use some punctuation "wrong" on purpose, such as placing apostrophes to indicate a plural when I think it makes it more readable. It may be wrong, but that's just the way I'll do it.

I remember when I had someone proofread my letters and papers. There are many times when you miss your own errors. Sadly, the online media frequently uses voice dictation and does not proof.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
does not pertain to my posts, whew!

Nah, you're cool, bro'

I would add that it is difficult to read when posted, and the text comes out as one larger block ,
no breaks,
no paragraphs,
all of it like one big long sentence, that repeats itself,

I would add one thing. If the article is long, pick out a paragraph or two that illustrates ‘why’ the article was referenced to begin with. Provide a link and we’ll decide if the entire thing is worth reading.

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:
I would add that it is difficult to read when posted, and the text comes out as one larger block ,
no breaks,
no paragraphs,
all of it like one big long sentence, that repeats itself,

It's also difficult when someone posts in a format like you just did.

quote:

It's also difficult when someone posts in a format like you just did.

This sort of thing depends upon visual attention and how you read. I can read in all caps just fine and without paragraphs. Others have trouble. It has to do with the way your brain processes visual information. We are all different in that respect. I read for several hours per day and have to skim pages of documents on occasion looking for pertinent information. It becomes more difficult for me when I have to read every word for comprehension.

I fear you are trying to motivate the lazy.

EasyFire