At the risk of being severely flogged, I would like to broach a new subject. I am a retired engineer and engineers are notoriously bad writers, but some of the writing in this forum is unintelligible. The other problem is ”units of measure”. I would recommend the writers in this forum take the time to read what they have written. You have something to say and I want to be able to understand it. However, I don’t believe the ease of use of the internet should be used as an excuse for bad writing. If the choice is between not writing and writing badly, then write badly. The other problem is units of measure. The two units of measure, which are most misused, are “knots” and “amps”. A knot is equal to a speed of one nautical mile per hour. If you use the term one knot per hour then you are actually stating a change in speed or acceleration. The measure of current flow is simply “amps” or “amperes”. One amp is equal to one coulomb of current per second. An “amp-hour” is equal to 3600 coulombs of electricity or one amp of current for one hour. If you use the term ”amp per hour” then you are stating a rate of change in the current. If you use the term of one amp-hour/hour, I don’t have a clue what you mean. Again, I would rather hear what you have to say, even if it is not technically correct.
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Dan, I'm not sure what kind of response your message will receive, but you might want to start making some knots yourself in case someone comes after you with thoughts of adding some amps to you. All kidding aside...There are a broad cross section of people represented on the forum and some will understand the significant difference in your definitions of the terminology, but many will not. For many, the experience with nautical speeds and distances is only encountered in their hobby, and I am certain that applies to the application of relevant terms in relation to electrical issues. For others, they are working with technicians who understand how to fix it, but also may not use correct terminology. Most do a good job of writing. Maybe not the best grammer or spelling, but I certainly don;t want to put myself at risk for much review here either. My biggest problem is that sometimes the problem is not defined as well as it should be. Not everyone is talented at explaing a problem as if the listener had no prior knowledge. I presume that the posts are often written quickly, just because time for the preparer is short. Consequently, sometimes things get left out. the forum is pretty good at drawing out the information when that occurs. By the way, I would expect an engineer to be rather good at defining a problem, or creating a good sequential instruction for remedy. Finally, there are some very smart people out there who do not have a particular talent for putting it down. I hope we can avail ourselves of their knowledge, even if it takes a little effort to figure it out. So, try to see past the amp hour/hours, and take solace in the fact that almost no one on here has a sailboat that can accelerate at a sustained rate of 6 knots per hour, at least not for much more than an hour or so. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
I'm sorry to see a post like this.
The spelling/grammar police can take the fun out of any forum. Tom s/v GAIA
The spelling/grammar police can take the fun out of any forum. Tom s/v GAIA
I'm with Dan on this one
I think Dan has a good point. Since he makes it in a diplomatic way, I think we shoud cut him some slack.
I think Dan has a good point. Since he makes it in a diplomatic way, I think we shoud cut him some slack.
It's not always the writer...
Not to make excuses but...there seems to be a glitch in the posting system which sometimes garbles an occasional word. I know this for a fact as I pasted my last post from MS Word (after using spell check) and when it was posted there were several words misspelled which were correct in the original version. I even went back and checked the Word document to confirm. That being said, who cares? It's the spirit of the board and the collective union of its users which is important. I can read through the lines and get the point of the post and hopefully gain something in the process.
Not to make excuses but...there seems to be a glitch in the posting system which sometimes garbles an occasional word. I know this for a fact as I pasted my last post from MS Word (after using spell check) and when it was posted there were several words misspelled which were correct in the original version. I even went back and checked the Word document to confirm. That being said, who cares? It's the spirit of the board and the collective union of its users which is important. I can read through the lines and get the point of the post and hopefully gain something in the process.
alrighty then
Well, I agree with you to a point. But this is just a board or a forum you could say. I do not think proper english is required to make a quick post on a forum. I work all day and I take classes at a local college at night. I have to watch grammar all the time. When I get on here, it is to read posts and enjoy the website. I honestly could care less if someone is not writing in proper english or with proper definitions of knots or amps. Sorry, just my 2 cents.
Well, I agree with you to a point. But this is just a board or a forum you could say. I do not think proper english is required to make a quick post on a forum. I work all day and I take classes at a local college at night. I have to watch grammar all the time. When I get on here, it is to read posts and enjoy the website. I honestly could care less if someone is not writing in proper english or with proper definitions of knots or amps. Sorry, just my 2 cents.
Correcting your English
Hey Chris, You are just across the lake and should know that the word "english" in your posting should be capitalized. (gottcha) Fair winds
Hey Chris, You are just across the lake and should know that the word "english" in your posting should be capitalized. (gottcha) Fair winds
Retraction
I regret putting the criticism of writing in the forum. It appears that it has put a damper on the activity. I certainly did not want that to happen. Disregard what I said.
I regret putting the criticism of writing in the forum. It appears that it has put a damper on the activity. I certainly did not want that to happen. Disregard what I said.
nah
Nah, dont worry about it Dan. Just trying to have some fun with ya. Just sit back and enjoy the forum, don't take things in life to seriously. It is too short to do that. This is a great forum.
Nah, dont worry about it Dan. Just trying to have some fun with ya. Just sit back and enjoy the forum, don't take things in life to seriously. It is too short to do that. This is a great forum.
No worries
Mis-using and correcting knots-per-hour, etc. is just one of those perennial things like using salon for a vessel's saloon.
Mis-using and correcting knots-per-hour, etc. is just one of those perennial things like using salon for a vessel's saloon.
Let's Have Some Fun 
your, you're, yur their, they're, there keeling, heeling, healing whisper pole, whisker pole I, or i to, too, two advise, advice e e cummings vs PEOPLE WHO YELL (caps lock - syndrome - CAPS or caps...) Thanks for the great content, that's what counts. Stu PS I'm also an engineer. Latitude 38 did a great series a few years ago about knots per hour. Guess they haven't gotten to "amps per hour per person per gallon per boat unit" - yet. I admire the concept of the original post. Either name the line - gee, "please pull the cunningham" - or - "grab the green thing and let 'er rip!" There is a great deal of merit in specifically identifying any particular item. This most likely doesn't apply to all us Good Old Boaters who have kids named John I, John II, John II, John IXVII. Imagine how many people would respond to "Hey, John, time to take the recycling out!" Great ideas from all of you. Thanks for the fun!
your, you're, yur their, they're, there keeling, heeling, healing whisper pole, whisker pole I, or i to, too, two advise, advice e e cummings vs PEOPLE WHO YELL (caps lock - syndrome - CAPS or caps...) Thanks for the great content, that's what counts. Stu PS I'm also an engineer. Latitude 38 did a great series a few years ago about knots per hour. Guess they haven't gotten to "amps per hour per person per gallon per boat unit" - yet. I admire the concept of the original post. Either name the line - gee, "please pull the cunningham" - or - "grab the green thing and let 'er rip!" There is a great deal of merit in specifically identifying any particular item. This most likely doesn't apply to all us Good Old Boaters who have kids named John I, John II, John II, John IXVII. Imagine how many people would respond to "Hey, John, time to take the recycling out!" Great ideas from all of you. Thanks for the fun!
Retraction Denied!
Dan, you have every right to express yourself in this forum. The people who complain about your comments are exercising the same right. You made a good point, don't back down.
Dan, you have every right to express yourself in this forum. The people who complain about your comments are exercising the same right. You made a good point, don't back down.
Spelling????
Hi Dan - you make some good points and I agree with you - but - unfortunately, trying to change anything in these forums is probably like trying to get drivers to obey the speed limits. One thing that I'd like to see is people write the way they talk. How come y'all from the south write they same way us westerners talk when y'all talk with an accent? I tried to write some south'rn way for an example but it's too 'ard. When I was in school I had a summer job and worked with a guy from TENN-a-see. I was drivin' down the road and he said "Watch out fur dat dawg!" Thinkin' for a moment I said "What's a 'dawg'?" He replied without any hesitation "A dawg [spoken a few notes higher than regular talking] is a fur legged critter." Thinking. Thinking. Got him now! "Okay", I said, "how do you spell 'dawg'?" and he answered "Dawg" [again spoken slightly higher but something like a question with the end of the word higher than the beginning] "is D - A - W -G [each letter pronounced slightly higher as if in pronouncing the whole word, except for 'G' which is a little bit lower]. Dawg. [spoken as spelled but pronounced with emphasis]" The whole summer went this way - and helped make the time pass faster. I think if y'all would write the way you talk it would make reading these posts MUCH more interesting!
Hi Dan - you make some good points and I agree with you - but - unfortunately, trying to change anything in these forums is probably like trying to get drivers to obey the speed limits. One thing that I'd like to see is people write the way they talk. How come y'all from the south write they same way us westerners talk when y'all talk with an accent? I tried to write some south'rn way for an example but it's too 'ard. When I was in school I had a summer job and worked with a guy from TENN-a-see. I was drivin' down the road and he said "Watch out fur dat dawg!" Thinkin' for a moment I said "What's a 'dawg'?" He replied without any hesitation "A dawg [spoken a few notes higher than regular talking] is a fur legged critter." Thinking. Thinking. Got him now! "Okay", I said, "how do you spell 'dawg'?" and he answered "Dawg" [again spoken slightly higher but something like a question with the end of the word higher than the beginning] "is D - A - W -G [each letter pronounced slightly higher as if in pronouncing the whole word, except for 'G' which is a little bit lower]. Dawg. [spoken as spelled but pronounced with emphasis]" The whole summer went this way - and helped make the time pass faster. I think if y'all would write the way you talk it would make reading these posts MUCH more interesting!
Shakespere Era Idioms
John, Now if some of those "old salts" would respond to your idea about writing in the vernacular, we'd have some bloody jolly good fun, 'eh?
John, Now if some of those "old salts" would respond to your idea about writing in the vernacular, we'd have some bloody jolly good fun, 'eh?
Retraction Denied Dan ........................
Your post was well written and when we get too old to accept correction ........... it's all over. Best Regards, s/v Island Hunter
Your post was well written and when we get too old to accept correction ........... it's all over. Best Regards, s/v Island Hunter
Well Now
Dan, Everyone does the best they can. It pains me too to see some of the mails but the site would a lesser thing if people did not contribute for fear of getting their text wrong. Interestingly those who "know better" normally have no trouble in understanding the mails of those less well endowed with knowledge. We have a saying - "Er last week I didn't even know what an engineer was and now I are one!" Don A - Engineer (of sorts)
Dan, Everyone does the best they can. It pains me too to see some of the mails but the site would a lesser thing if people did not contribute for fear of getting their text wrong. Interestingly those who "know better" normally have no trouble in understanding the mails of those less well endowed with knowledge. We have a saying - "Er last week I didn't even know what an engineer was and now I are one!" Don A - Engineer (of sorts)
Phlog....Plaagh...flogg... flog
Well, I hope y'all came what you got for.... (John Nantz) Most of the responders here in the south write like yankees cause we WERE at one time... My friends grade school girl was asked in class to spell....'woot you spell 'far' for the class, please'. His daughter responded 'yes maam,.....'F A R...far'. The teacher then corrected her.... 'No, far.....F I R E....far' (true story)
Well, I hope y'all came what you got for....
(John Nantz) Most of the responders here in the south write like yankees cause we WERE at one time... My friends grade school girl was asked in class to spell....'woot you spell 'far' for the class, please'. His daughter responded 'yes maam,.....'F A R...far'. The teacher then corrected her.... 'No, far.....F I R E....far' (true story)John Nantz
I took the orignal post as well intentioned, yours on the other hand is pretty insulting. I guess I did not realize the you "westerns" spoke the only correct english in the country and the rest of us in Texas are simply trying to write like you speak. You really expose the elitism of some. It is sad. I bet your jester from Tennesee didn't have the same highbrow attitude as you. I know who I would prefer to spend the summer with. Diversity and tolerance is one of the many things that make this country great.
I took the orignal post as well intentioned, yours on the other hand is pretty insulting. I guess I did not realize the you "westerns" spoke the only correct english in the country and the rest of us in Texas are simply trying to write like you speak. You really expose the elitism of some. It is sad. I bet your jester from Tennesee didn't have the same highbrow attitude as you. I know who I would prefer to spend the summer with. Diversity and tolerance is one of the many things that make this country great.
Reminds me of a story
Phil's posting reminds me of a story from a couple of years back.... I had been given an old small halyard winch for my boat by friend and when I asked how much I owed him he replied that he liked a certain kind of wine. I was purchasing the wine in the Liquor Store and my daughter was with me. When the Cashier- an attractive lady of about 45- rang up the sale, my daughter commented " not bad for an old winch" You could feel the temerature plummet!!!
Phil's posting reminds me of a story from a couple of years back.... I had been given an old small halyard winch for my boat by friend and when I asked how much I owed him he replied that he liked a certain kind of wine. I was purchasing the wine in the Liquor Store and my daughter was with me. When the Cashier- an attractive lady of about 45- rang up the sale, my daughter commented " not bad for an old winch" You could feel the temerature plummet!!!
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