Is it possible to add an edit option for the poster to go back and correct spelling errors or content? It would be nice to be able to edit trip reports also.
This is actually a more complex question than it might at first appear from both a philosophical and logistical standpoint.
From the philosophical end, you could argue that once you have made a public statement, it no longer belongs to you. It belongs to the public as a whole. (Though I imagine there's more than one politician who wishes it were otherwise.)
From a logistical standpoint it is also tricky. Once you have posted something, others are allowed to comment. If you then edit or delete your post, there comments will appear out of context, or possibly be deleted as well.
From both standpoints, you can imagine threads about controversial topics where it might be unethical to go back and edit your post. That's why on most professional blog sites, any revisions are done by striking through the original text and then adding something new.
On the other hand, when you just make a typo, or whatever, and want to correct it, it seems totally reasonable that you should have the power to edit the comment. And some posts seem like they belong to the owner more than others.
Thus, we need to find some middle ground, and I'm open to ideas. At the moment, you can already edit your trip reports. Those things, in my opinion, belong to the author. But I'd suggest using that power with discretion.
As for the forum posts, there are a couple of possibilities. One is to allow people to edit their posts within the first half hour of posting. Another is to allow people to edit their posts, but keep some sort of permanent and public record of the original post (with a strikethrough or a link to the original, etc.)
I'll keep thinking about it. And if anybody has any feedback on what they think the editing policy on this site should be, please do post it.
Ability to edit is interesting topic
This is actually a more complex question than it might at first appear from both a philosophical and logistical standpoint.
From the philosophical end, you could argue that once you have made a public statement, it no longer belongs to you. It belongs to the public as a whole. (Though I imagine there's more than one politician who wishes it were otherwise.)
From a logistical standpoint it is also tricky. Once you have posted something, others are allowed to comment. If you then edit or delete your post, there comments will appear out of context, or possibly be deleted as well.
From both standpoints, you can imagine threads about controversial topics where it might be unethical to go back and edit your post. That's why on most professional blog sites, any revisions are done by striking through the original text and then adding something new.
On the other hand, when you just make a typo, or whatever, and want to correct it, it seems totally reasonable that you should have the power to edit the comment. And some posts seem like they belong to the owner more than others.
Thus, we need to find some middle ground, and I'm open to ideas. At the moment, you can already edit your trip reports. Those things, in my opinion, belong to the author. But I'd suggest using that power with discretion.
As for the forum posts, there are a couple of possibilities. One is to allow people to edit their posts within the first half hour of posting. Another is to allow people to edit their posts, but keep some sort of permanent and public record of the original post (with a strikethrough or a link to the original, etc.)
I'll keep thinking about it. And if anybody has any feedback on what they think the editing policy on this site should be, please do post it.
Good Points
Maybe I will just be morr kareful when I poste. :)
I like the 30 minute rule: I
I like the 30 minute rule: I usually notice my typos within the first couple of minutes of posting.