A Proofreading Course With An Affordable Price Tag.
    • Home
    • Proofreading Course
    • About the Author
    • Reviews
      • FAQ
    • Proofreading Exercises
      • Novel Length Proofreading Exercise
    • Contact
    • Blog
    • Store
    • $5 Discount

    The No-Nonsense Proofreading Course Blog

    News, views and entertainment from the world of proofreading.

    Spell Checking Software, a Powerful Tool... in the Right Hands

    2/13/2011

    0 Comments

     
    My decidedly mixed feelings on the subject of spell checking software is well-documented, both here in this blog and in the No-Nonsense Proofreading Course itself.

    In a nutshell, I think spell checkers are at once an essential part of any proofreader’s toolbox and a positive liability. Like I said, mixed feelings.

    Let’s deal with the positive liability aspect first. It’s not the proofreading software itself that is the problem; it’s the user’s perspective. When the user thinks spell checking software can actually spot spelling errors, they’re in trouble. The fact is spell checkers don’t know how to spell. It’s true. Spell checkers only know that a particular word doesn’t exist in their vocabulary. This leaves you open to words that are in the proofreading software’s vocabulary but are being used in entirely in the wrong context. For example, all spell checkers would fail to highlight the following piece of gibberish:

    The cloud pimpled the hug gauntlet.

    Only the human brain can identify this perfectly grammatical and accurately spelled sentence as utter nonsense.

    So, it’s crucial to recognise the limitations of proofreading software before using it.

    But once you’ve informed yourself of those limitations, your spell checker becomes incredibly powerful as a labour-saving device. And if you’re looking to make your living from proofreading, then the more proofs you can red-pen your way through per day, the more money you can make.

    An effective spell checker can reduce your workload by a considerable amount, sweeping away all those literal errors and obvious grammatical gaffes and enabling you to focus your efforts on the really tricky stuff.

    If you use the more advanced types of proofreading software, for example Whitesmoke, you can get through even more work. Whitesmoke not only has a comprehensive, multilingual dictionary, it also employs a complex grammatical algorithm which can highlight grammatical errors that most spell checkers will miss. What’s more, it actively improves your grammar by telling you precisely why a particular piece of phrasing is grammatically unacceptable.

    You can take a look at Whitesmoke here. They have some pretty cool free stuff, too, so feel free to skip their sales pitch and make the most of the freebies!

    Spell checkers and proofreading software will never replace the keen eye and knowledge of the proofreader but they can provide much needed assistance if you’re fortunate enough to have a hefty workload.

    0 Comments
      Testimonials
      “I am one of those many fools who paid a huge amount of money for a useless course. This book... has opened so many doors for me. I now look on Mike as my mentor as I embark on a career. Thank you Mike.” 
      Emma Steel, Proofreader and International Structural Editor.

      “ I thoroughly enjoyed the course and am so glad that I decided to take it... the whole experience was invaluable. My proofreading service is now well established and your course played no small part in getting it off the ground.”
      Hache L. Jones, Proofreader.

      “I'd just like to thank you first of all for writing such a great, straight forward eBook, and then going above and beyond what I would even expect as a customer by providing us, completely free of charge, updated versions months later!” 
      Rachel Gee, Trainee Proofreader.

      “What can I say? Worth every penny and then some! God Bless! This a fabulous course.” 
      Teresa Richardson, Proofreader.

      ​“As someone who has effectively been proofreading for thirty years, I found Mike’s No-Nonsense Proofreading Course an invaluable introduction and a very useful practical guide to many aspects of this discipline. I can wholeheartedly recommend it as the ideal starting point, and much more besides.”

      ​Jeremy Meehan, Proofreader.

      Blog Author

      My name's Mike Sellars and I'm an experienced proofreader and the author of The No-Nonsense Proofreading Course. Click here to find out more about me.

      Proofreading Course Author, Mike Sellars
      My Google+ Profile

      RSS Feed

      The No-Nonsense Proofreading Course

      $48.99
      View Details
      A Fraction of the Cost of Other Proofreading Courses

      • Learn to proofread like a professional
      • 25 years of experience distilled into a single easy-to-follow package
      • Over 1,000 pages of FREE bonus eBooks and learning materials
      • 30-day money-back 100% satisfaction guarantee
      • Follow my advice and you will earn your money back in just two hours!
      • Download it now and start learning and earning right away.
      • I operate a virtual 'open door' policy after purchase, generally answering any and all email queries and concerns within 48 hours and usually sooner.

      Credit card and PayPal payments accepted.

      “As someone who has been proofreading for 30 years, I found Mike’s course an invaluable introduction and a very useful practical guide to many aspects of the discipline. I can wholeheartedly recommend it.” Jeremy Meehan, Proofreader.

      Still want to find out more? Click here.

      Proofreading Categories

      All
      A World Without Proofreaders
      A World Without Proof Readers
      Barack Obama Spelling Mistake
      Copy Editing
      Copy Editor
      Do Proofreaders Need Good Grammar
      Editing
      Embarrassing Spelling Mistakes
      English Usage
      Eye Care
      Freelance Proofreading
      Free Proofreading Course
      Free Proofreading Exercises
      Fun
      Grammar
      Hyphenation Rules
      If Proof Readers Ruled The World
      If Proofreaders Ruled The World
      International Proofreading
      Merchandise
      Off Topic
      Off-Topic
      Proofreader
      Proof Reader
      Proof Reader Merchandise
      Proof-reader Or Proof Reader
      Proofreaders
      Proof Readers
      Proof Readers Equipment
      Proof Readers\' Equipment
      Proofreading
      Proofreading 101
      Proofreading Advice
      Proofreading And Women
      Proofreading Careers
      Proofreading Course
      Proofreading Course Bulletin
      Proofreading Course Discount
      Proofreading Courses
      Proofreading Ebook
      Proofreading Exercises
      Proofreading Fiction
      Proofreading Job Interview
      Proofreading Jobs
      Proofreading Joke
      Proofreading Qualifications
      Proofreading Resumes
      Proofreading Scam
      Proofreading Software
      Proofreading Test
      Proofreading Testimonials
      Proof Reading Tips
      Proofreading Tips
      Proofreading Vacancies
      Punctuation
      Scam Warning
      Second Edition
      Spell Check
      Spell Checkers
      Spelling Errors
      Spelling Fail
      Spelling Mistakes
      Working From Home

      Proofreading Archives

      February 2019
      March 2018
      July 2017
      January 2017
      November 2016
      October 2016
      June 2016
      May 2016
      December 2014
      November 2014
      August 2014
      May 2014
      March 2014
      February 2014
      November 2013
      August 2013
      January 2013
      December 2012
      November 2012
      August 2012
      July 2012
      June 2012
      May 2012
      January 2012
      November 2011
      September 2011
      August 2011
      July 2011
      June 2011
      February 2011
      January 2011
      October 2010
      August 2010
      July 2010
      June 2010
      May 2010
      April 2010
      March 2010

    Back to top