Spell Check: Mac OS X 10.4's Best Feature

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the spell check feature in Mac OS X 10.4, exploring its utility, preferences for its use or non-use, and the implications of different English language styles on spell checking. Participants share personal experiences and opinions regarding the effectiveness and drawbacks of spell checkers.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express appreciation for the integrated spell check feature, noting its frequent use and convenience.
  • Others question the necessity of spell check, preferring traditional methods like using a dictionary, and suggest that reliance on spell check may hinder spelling skills.
  • A participant raises the issue of regional spelling differences, highlighting how spell checkers may automatically convert American English to British English, affecting word choices.
  • Some participants report frustration with spell checkers misidentifying correctly spelled words as incorrect, leading to annoyance.
  • There are inquiries about the possibility of disabling the spell check feature, with mixed responses regarding its feasibility.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the value of spell checkers; while some find them beneficial, others argue against their use, citing concerns over spelling proficiency and accuracy.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of comfort with spell check, indicating that personal experiences and preferences significantly influence their views. There is also mention of potential limitations in spell checkers regarding unfamiliar or non-standard words.

Mk
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Mac OS X 10.4, one of its most awesome features is the integrated spell check, almost every where you can type you can spell check, I use it all day all night and love it very dearly.

I found once that it had named "w00t" incorrectly spelled, however it did have two suggestions: "w00" and "00t." I certainly did not teach it those erm... "words." Anyway, it was interesting to me.
 
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Is there a way to turn that feature off? That would quickly annoy me. I turn spell check off every where I find it.
 
What about certain spell-checkers that refer to the style of English you are using, like the American/British systems?

The spell checker would automatically correct words like "liter" to "litre", "color" to "colour" and suddenly everything you write will turn British :biggrin:.

Not to mention, cookies wil become biscuits, toilets will become loos, elevators will become lifts, etc.

</hijack>
 
I never use any spell check features, being too used to the old fashioned method of looking things up in the dictionary.

If you use spell check a lot, do you find it leads to never learning how to spell on your own?
 
zoobyshoe said:
I never use any spell check features, being too used to the old fashioned method of looking things up in the dictionary.
I use the even older-fashioned method of having learned to spell correctly in the first place. Not that I don't periodically make an error, but I don't need my computer telling me correctly spelled words are misspelled just because it doesn't know them.

If you use spell check a lot, do you find it leads to never learning how to spell on your own?
I really do suspect this is true. That, and it seems to lead to more carelessness even among those who have learned to spell.
 
I use spell check all the time, as some times even simple words look wrong
even if they are spelt right, i know the meaning of words though, it is just
so annoying when even spell check can not decipher some words i misspell .
 
wolram said:
I use spell check all the time, as some times even simple words look wrong
even if they are spelt right, i know the meaning of words though, it is just
so annoying when even spell check can not decipher some words i misspell .

In which case, if you were using an American spellchecking software, it would probably detect that and correct it to "spelled," which is the "common" way to spell it in America.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_English_differences
 
Moonbear said:
Is there a way to turn that feature off? That would quickly annoy me. I turn spell check off every where I find it.

somehow, i doubt it
:smile:

It wouldn't be hard to make a program for Windows or Linux which does that either... not that i would ever want it, most of what I write on the computer is for school, using words the spell check doesn't know
 

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