Poll: Post Editing Etiquette

[New Frontiersman]

When I'm posting here on the forums I often go back and edit my own posts, usually correcting for spelling and grammar but sometimes expanding on, clarifying, or adding to my original ideas within the post. I've always wondered though: what's the accepted standard on the Escapist of post editing?

I mean, most of the time whenever I've seen that someone's edited their own posts they leave a note at the bottom of the post saying "EDITED:" followed by a description of the changes they made. That's not universal though, I've seen posts that have been edited without leaving descriptions, and I certainly don't. So I got curious what other people here did or what their opinions were.

So that gets us to our question: Have you ever edited your posts? When is it okay to edit posts and how much do you think it's okay to edit any one post? And what do you think is the proper etiquette for doing so? Should you point out your edits by putting "Edit:" at the bottom of the page and describing the changes you made

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

It's my post. I do what I want!

*finger snap snap*

I edit my posts for grammar and spelling if I noticed it after I posted, but I won't put an "edit" at the end for that. I will when put an "edit" at the end if I forgot to add something, to clarify something, or whatever else I feel like editing. I've never done an edit to an edit because that's way to much editing, and what if I messed up that edit? Then I need to make another edit and I'm far too lazy to edit an edit to an edit.

...Edit.

[sub][sub]It's an editception![/sub][/sub]

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

I edit my posts for grammar and spelling if I noticed it after I posted, but I won't put "edit" at the end for that. I will when put an "edit" at the end if I forgot to add something, to clarify something, or whatever else I feel like editing.

Yep, same here. I'll edit mostly for grammar, or if some image/link uploaded weirdly, and when I do add something meaningful I put an EDIT: at the bottom.

 

[Esotera]

If you have something extra to say that needs an edit to say it, more often than not you should just be creating a separate post (especially if it's in reply to someone else). The only exceptions I can think of is if it's the OP, and for various typos.


EDIT: hypocrisy ftw

 

[Kae]

Whatever, sometimes I post things I regret saying and edit them out completely, sometimes when I do that I have to edit absolutely everything, sometimes I just change it to "DELETED", it's my post I can do what I want to and I reserve my right to change my mind on what I wanted to say, if I'm just expanding on what I had already said though, I'll do the edit at the bottom thing.

 

[Miss G.]

Mostly just spelling/grammar changes, though I try to catch the mistakes before it's quoted by somebody because any further edits will not show up in those particular quotes.

 

[WoW Killer]

I'll edit little spelling/grammar mistakes without an alert. If I put "EDIT:" like that it's probably to reply to someone who's posted just before me, to avoid double posting.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I edit my posts for grammar and spelling if I noticed it after I posted, but I won't put "edit" at the end for that. I will when put an "edit" at the end if I forgot to add something, to clarify something, or whatever else I feel like editing.

Yep, same here. I'll edit mostly for grammar, or if some image/link uploaded weirdly, and when I do add something meaningful I put an EDIT: at the bottom.

Pretty much this. I also only edit a post before it's been quoted[footnote]Well, I try, anyway. A lot of times an edit goes out at the same time a post that quotes the original does, especially in more heated threads.[/footnote], unless I'm getting a ton of quotes from people who misunderstand it, even after I've clarified further down thread.

 

[DefunctTheory]

I use EDIT: whenever I'm adding to my post. If I'm fixing typos, it goes without an edit (Unless I've really boned the post up).

 

[seventy two]

On here I follow the norm of announcing only important edits. On another forum I frequent I always explain my edits because the post always shows that it has been edited.

 

[SoranMBane]

If I'm only editing to fix some sort of grammar, spelling, or formatting error, I don't feel that there's any need to announce that it was edited. I only add an "EDIT" after my post if I'm editing to clarify something or add something not worth making another post about to my original post.

 

[Abomination]

Only to correct when I mess up a quote mine in formatting, not content. Even then I will add an
Edit: Corrected quote format

or something to the bottom of the post.

I don't often post errors in spelling so if I find one the second time around I just don't give a damn.

If I have something else to say in response to somebody else I will create a new post and quote them.

 

[BarbaricGoose]

NO EDITING ALOUD!


...shit.

 

[lacktheknack]

Editing a quote in doesn't trigger an inbox alert, so quotes get new posts.

Other than that, it's all good as long as you make major edits quickly. Minor ones (like spelling or word adjustment) are so minor that they don't need an alert.

 

[Saltyk]

Editing a quote in doesn't trigger an inbox alert, so quotes get new posts.

Other than that, it's all good as long as you make major edits quickly. Minor ones (like spelling or word adjustment) are so minor that they don't need an alert.

Pretty much this. If I'm going to quote a person, I'll make a new post.

But if I'm just fixing that spelling or punctuation error that I just noticed, I'll quickly and quietly make an edit. No mess and no fuss. Occasionally, we all make mistakes. End a question (even a rhetorical one) with a period when it should be a question mark, for example. No need to announce to everyone you made a small change.

On the other hand, if you made a less than wise post and have been accosted by half the posters, you may wish to make and note an edit to curb the tide. Especially if you have since made adjustments to your thoughts on the matter.

 

[Blow_Pop]

I edit my posts for grammar and spelling if I noticed it after I posted, but I won't put "edit" at the end for that. I will when put an "edit" at the end if I forgot to add something, to clarify something, or whatever else I feel like editing.

Yep, same here. I'll edit mostly for grammar, or if some image/link uploaded weirdly, and when I do add something meaningful I put an EDIT: at the bottom.

I do the same. Unless I edit it immediately AFTER I posted it realising I forgot something critical. Then I treat it as if I JUST posted it......Even if someone's quoted me by the time I'm finished editing.....

 

[MrPhyntch]

Can I say multiple? I think it's fine to edit posts for spelling and grammar at any time. I also think that if no one's noticed/quoted/responded that a simple edit that doesn't change too much about the original post is fine. Anything else, such as major points adding to a subject, or if one wishes to redact their post and replace it, should have a HUGE edit disclaimer at the bottom.

Hell, I edit posts to avoid double posts (habit from old forums).

 

[Yopaz]

I'll edit grammar and spelling if I were to make a mistake. I don't consider that a big deal.

If I quote the wrong person or realize I misunderstood something I will delete my post and edit it to say that I made a mistake or something along the line, sometime I will include an apology in that depending.

 

[DanielBrown]

I edit my posts constantly. Mostly due to typos, but sometimes it's to elaborate or add something.
It's only when I add something I do the "Edit:" thing. I also think you can change your posts however much you want until someone quotes you. Then you're screwed... Unless multiple people quote you and keep correcting the same thing. Happens way too often and is fucking annoying. Can't be that hard to at least skim through the thread to check if someone was before you! /rant

Edit: edited the edit.

 

[RedDeadFred]

It's my post. I brought it into the world and I can change it however I want, whenever I want!

If I wrote a post about how I love onion rings, fuck that post, it's my *****, I can change it to a post about hating onion rings.

Who knows, maybe I've already changed this post. Maybe it's original message is nothing like this. You'll never know, cause this post is mine to control!