Spell Checker

[gub2000]

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this question. This is aimed at the moderators.

Is it possible to add a spell checker to the options for the text editor for this board?

I'm a terrible speller. Since this is a website for writers, I'm paranoid about my spelling and grammar when I write a post. So I usually write the post in MS Word. Then I copy it and paste it here. I’m just wondering if there was an easier way to correct my spelling. (aside from the obvious – actually learn the correct spelling of words in the English language  )

Thanks,

gub2000

[Nick]

Hi there

I suspect the answer to this is no, as we use proprietary forum software which does not have this particular functionality built in. However, I will run it past Karl from WCCL, the all-powerful 'Admin', and see what he says.

As you say, one solution would be to pre-compose (is that a word?) all your messages in a word processor and do the spell-checking there, then copy and paste your message into the forum.

Nick 

[Mr. Bits]

There are online dictionaries you can use to check spelling, gub2000.

[Foxy]

There is a piece of software called ieSpell which can be downloaded for free. It will spell check any open internet explorer document such as this reply box I'm typing in now. I can't remember the address for it but I'm sure entering ieSpell in Google will track it down.

[Foxy]

 I've just found the site it's at: http://www.iespell.com/

[Nick]

Karl has confirmed that unfortunately there are no spell-checker plug-ins available for this message board software at the moment.

The IEspell program sounds a good alternative solution. For Firefox users (like me) there is a similar program available called Spellbound, but you do have to install a separate dictionary as well with this. The following web page includes some useful information:

http://wiki.ehow.com/Install-a-Spell-Checker-Into-Firefox


Nick 

[gub2000]

Thanks everyone! I'll check out iespell.com.

gub2000

[orchid15]

I used to be paranoid about my spelling on forums also.

As I became more disabled, my typing got so bad that I had to correct almost every third word.  Then I got the Dragon, and I have to correct about every 10th word.  So I finally relaxed and decided to trust in the kind mercy of my readers.  The people on this site have been understanding about my little typos. .



Orchid15

[Nick]

Another option is to download the Google toolbar from http://toolbar.google.com. This has a built-in spell-checker, along with pop-up blocker, automatic form filler, and so on.

The Google toolbar is available for both IE and Firefox.

Nick 

[Angeleyes]

Thanks for the tip. I have just downloaded the Google toolbar. The spellchecker is great. As orchid15 said; because this is a site for writers, I hate it when I look at something that I have spelt incorrectly. So thanks again, I'm sure it will come in very handy!

[Symphony]

Just a little warning - although I'm sure you probably know this already - but I'd stay away from a global replace unless you're ABSOLUTELY sure what you're doing. There was someone here very recently who had this problem - s/he asked the spellchecker to replace whatever word it was and then it replaced that 'sequence of letters' whenever it found it in other words as well. They had to read through every word of their novel yet again just to find the glitches.

I know - probably preaching to the converted but it's worth remembering if you're using a spellchecker on a long document.

Symphony

[Nick]

Reminds me of a (supposedly true) story I heard years ago of an author who at the last minute decided that David was too posh a name for her hero, and used global S&R to change it to Wayne. After the book was published she saw a copy in a bookshop, and opening a page at random was horrified to discover her hero and his girlfriend in Rome, admiring the statue of Michelangelo's Wayne...

Nick 

[prophetcharlesb]

Oh yeah, I love it!!!

[Symphony]

    Perfect!

[orchid15]

Once I did a global replace on a small word like cat.  Fortunately, I saw the disaster right away.  Catch became dogCH and cattle became dogtle.  I hit undo.  Really fast.  That was before I knew about the hidden bottom panel that allowed me to make find case-sensitive and whole word only.

 Orchid15