Hx News

[AgnesIO]

Just a sort of moan, but not moan I guess.

Sorry to the news reporter who posted this, but it was linked on the forum, so obviously it will be the one I point out.
I bold is used too much in the article, it sort of takes away the emphasis of the bits that actually should be in bold. Also, a few spelling/grammar mistakes can be found - which I know the reporters may be relatively young but it could still be improved on. Also, parts of the article are not entirely accurate/confirmed.

Anyway, not really a moan, just came up as I saw it - more of things to improve really.

http://habbox.com/#/News/article/345

[Chippiewill]

Eurghghghhghg random bold spam burns my eyes. People who think bold spam looks cool are ******ed btw. It'd be much nicer if you used tags and autolinked articles.

[tylermunjkt]

The bold bits are the bits what I think are important. If there is a problem with that, speak to Nuxty. As thats what he has told me to do.

// Also, I'm not the strongest in the department so dont expect EVERYTHING just right and perfect...

[Aidenn]

Personally i like how its written few mistakes as mentioned however sorry to say this tyler my friend.

but personally i dont think 'a big bit of wood' is important :P

Great article non the less, it seems Bin Laden was killed in a similar nature to Harold Godwinson, Harold with an arrow, Bin laden with a bullet.

[AgnesIO]

The bold bits are the bits what I think are important. If there is a problem with that, speak to Nuxty. As thats what he has told me to do.

I don't disagree with bolding bits, I just think too many parts are bolded, which as I say, takes emphasis away in my opinion. I am not targeting you by the way, it is just that you posted the thread on here with a link, so obviously it came to attention. You are not the only one to 'rape the bold tool' :)

[tylermunjkt]

I admitt there are some mistakes, but we all make mistakes so ya'know. Also the mistakes are not minor. Also when I wrote it I was trying to talk to my mother and sorting out my brother...

[AgnesIO]

I admitt there are some mistakes, but we all make mistakes so ya'know. Also the mistakes are not minor. Also when I wrote it I was trying to talk to my mother and sorting out my brother...

You don't need to make excuses, Tyler.

At the end of the day the mistakes could be corrected by simply checking through it. However, I don't want to insult you or anything - since your articles are still good - and so are all the other reporters.

You were just unfortunate in that yours was the first I saw!

[Chippiewill]

Perhaps a limit of bolded words per paragraph should be enforced?

[Narnat,]

very fair point but whatever tyler thinks is important will be different to what you feel is important. Lets remember they aren't professional so these things are expected and I think that what has been said is rather valid. Everyone has to learn and to learn you need to make mistakes.

[Jordan]

A limit of bold words in unnecessary, It's only a minor problem and now he knows for future use!

[tylermunjkt]

They arnt excuses.

Also, I check my work twice. Once in the editer and after I publish my work.

[AgnesIO]

Perhaps a limit of bolded words per paragraph should be enforced?

No, disagree with that. After all, I might write with a 10 line paragraph, then you write a 4 line paragraph - it wouldn't work if you had the same amount of bolded bits as me. I just it should be emphasised that bolding words is really to highlight key areas and sort of add emphasis to the report - not to highlight the most important word of every other sentence!

[Chippiewill]

A limit of bold words in unnecessary, It's only a minor problem and now he knows for future use!
Well, when it applies to nearly the entire department...


very fair point but whatever tyler thinks is important will be different to what you feel is important.
Difference is I'm correct (h) (Nah jks)


Everyone has to learn and to learn you need to make mistakes.
And to learn you also need your mistakes shown to you and you must also implement a way to avoid it.

[AgnesIO]

very fair point but whatever tyler thinks is important will be different to what you feel is important. Lets remember they aren't professional so these things are expected and I think that what has been said is rather valid. Everyone has to learn and to learn you need to make mistakes.

I totally agree. I mean, I didn't make this thread to attack anyone, as I say tyler's article just happened to be the one I first saw - more constructive criticism on how the articles could be improved.


They arnt excuses.

Also, I check my work twice. Once in the editer and after I publish my work.


Also when I wrote it I was trying to talk to my mother and sorting out my brother...

That is an excuse, Tyler! An excuse doesn't mean to get yourself out of something, but those were excuses for why there were grammar/spelling mistakes :P

[Nuxty]

Firstly, thank you for the feedback Dom! News doesn't really get much so I'd like to say thank you.

Ok, Tyler has gone a little mad with the bold tool, but I think all reporters have done at some stage. In the news department we usually say that key/important information should be bolded in order to attract the reader’s attention, Tyler now knows he has gone a little over the top and I am sure he will work on it as he has progressed so much since he first became a news reporter!

Also, I would never ever put a limit on the amount of bolds people could use in the department as it really does differ depending on what you're writing about.

Thanks for the feedback, the issue has been addressed and in future we will recommend that news reporters and writers only use bolds for key/important information. :)

[Chippiewill]

Also, I would never ever put a limit on the amount of bolds people could use in the department as it really does differ depending on what you're writing about.

I didn't mean so much as a hard limit, but more of a recommendation so they know how much would be 'reasonable'.

[Nuxty]

I didn't mean so much as a hard limit, but more of a recommendation so they know how much would be 'reasonable'.

Yup and that is the message we will be giving! Thanks for your feedback. :)

[AgnesIO]

Firstly, thank you for the feedback Dom! News doesn't really get much so I'd like to say thank you.

Ok, Tyler has gone a little mad with the bold tool, but I think all reporters have done at some stage. In the news department we usually say that key/important information should be bolded in order to attract the reader’s attention, Tyler now knows he has gone a little over the top and I am sure he will work on it as he has progressed so much since he first became a news reporter!

Also, I would never ever put a limit on the amount of bolds people could use in the department as it really does differ depending on what you're writing about.

Thanks for the feedback, the issue has been addressed and in future we will recommend that news reporters and writers only use bolds for key/important information. :)

No worries, Charlie. You would get more feedback from me, but obviously the news department doesn't have a very big image on the forum - which is what I use most!

On the brighter side, the amount of articles you guys are producing is fantastic. The first thing users see when they go on to Habbox.com is probably the news articles (as they dominate the homepage), and seeing that the three articles displayed were all published today is superb - it really shows potentially new, returning users, that Habbox is an active busy fansite - so well done for that. :)

[e5]

Each member of the department tries their hardest :) I know tylermunjkt tries hard with his reports, every so often someone is going to slip up a bit! I think it's unfair how you singled out his report and didn't speak in general terms about someone of the reports you have seen, to make things more fair. The best way to go is to PM Nuxty with a complaint or something you noticed, and then leave it to Nuxty to contact that reporter to give him tips on how to improve.

I have found it's always best to write a report using a source you have found and gaining what you have learned from that to put into your own words in a news report. I personally don't tend to use the bold tool too much. In my Habbo news reports, I use it to highlight prizes, totals of something or if a new pet came out I would highlight to fact its a cat or something not like an amazing cat thats so cute or something... (excuse that - im no good at thinking on the spot!). There are some young reporters on the team, I believe so grammar and spelling won't be at 100% for them, however having threads made is always a good way to help them improve :) - It's good to have news recognised! Sorry for the rant at the start :)

[AgnesIO]

Each member of the department tries there hardest :) I know tylermunjkt tries hard with his reports, every so often someone is going to slip it! I think it's unfair how you singled out his report and didn't speak in general terms about someone of the reports you have seen, to make things more fair. The best way to go is to PM Nuxty with a complaint or something you noticed, and then leave it to Nuxty to contact that reporter to give him tips on how to improve.

So you don't think other members should be given the chance to have an input?

I knew someone would moan, but at the end of the day I didn't randomly go and do a spot check - Tyler posted this particular report in the Bin Laden thread so obviously I based it on that - however as I have said countless times, his report is not the only one to have the things I pointed out - so I am definitely not aiming to single him out etc, and if he feels I am, or anyone else in your department feels I am, I apologise.

[Chippiewill]

Each member of the department tries there hardest !
their* Call yourself a news reporter? :p


I think it's unfair how you singled out his report and didn't speak in general terms about someone of the reports you have seen, to make things more fair.
I think it was indicated why he was 'singled out' as it were.


The best way to go is to PM Nuxty with a complaint or something you noticed, and then leave it to Nuxty to contact that reporter to give him tips on how to improve.I think it's important not to sweep stuff under the carpet, otherwise people are more inclined to ignore it.

[e5]

Sorry for the rushed reply - I probably made several mistakes myself - however that is not important! ;) I do think its great for you to give feedback. I just thought that your first post singled him out, and he did take it very well to be fair to him. Just wanted to see a more generalised post made to begin with! :)

---------- Post added 03-05-2011 at 09:15 PM ----------


their* Call yourself a news reporter? :p


I think it was indicated why he was 'singled out' as it were.

I think it's important not to sweep stuff under the carpet, otherwise people are more inclined to ignore it.

Corrected my mistake ;)

I still don't think it's fair to have a news reporter singled out - no matter what they did. It's unfair to do so, in my opinion.

I wouldn't call PM'ing the News Manager to inform him of his errors is sweeping anything under the carpet! It's probably the best way to go about it as they'd like to be recognised by their manager and to be given tips on how to improve.

[Chippiewill]

I just thought that your first post singled him out, and he did take it very well to be fair to him.

Sorry to the news reporter who posted this, but it was linked on the forum, so obviously it will be the one I point out.
Pretty generalised tbh.

[e5]

It still doesn't warrant this reporter being singled out for his errors :) Your post won't justify it to me, so no point trying, sorry.

[Chippiewill]

It still doesn't warrant this reporter being singled out for his errors :) Your post won't justify it to me, so no point trying, sorry.
Sorry, I'm under the impression that you're saying he shouldn't use evidence in his argument.

Edit:

Something which was targetting a member would be like:


OMG, e5 is abusing Shift+1 in his articles because he's noob and he should be fired, he's such a terrible news reporter (By the way I did just see that)

Edit2: Actually, just looking through some articles some of them have some pretty terrible editorial mistakes that should probably be checked.
Edit3: If the Habbox News department has an Editor they seriously need to do their job because some of this is atrocious.

[e5]

Sorry, I'm under the impression that you're saying he shouldn't use evidence in his argument.

Edit:

Something which was targetting a member would be like:

(By the way I did just see that)

Edit2: Actually, just looking through some articles some of them have some pretty terrible editorial mistakes that should probably be checked.
Edit3: If the Habbox News department has an Editor they seriously need to do their job because some of this is atrocious.

I didn't believe was any argument. I think he was pointing out something, however like I said, singling out a member of staff who gives up him time to post news on Habbox isn't fair...

As far as I am aware, the manager edits the news reports - Not heard of a news editor as of yet - Would be a good idea!

We appreciate constructive critisism.

[Chippiewill]

I didn't believe was any argument. I think he was pointing out something, however like I said, singling out a member of staff who gives up him time to post news on Habbox isn't fair...
How was he meant to point something out without actually pointing at an example?

[HotelUser]

How was he meant to point something out without actually pointing at an example?

The example used in the initial post here was fair enough because it was just one of many examples the poster could have picked from to justify their point thoroughly.

However, if you are going to post constructive criticisms as to how you think the quality of news overall can be improved than do so. You have a valid point that articles should be checked for errors more thoroughly and we will put in the efforts to see that this is done, however if you wish to address any specific errors retaining to any specific news reporters individually drop us a PM. Posting such things would be like posting a thread about Habbox Live and criticizing one DJ specifically which is entirely unfair to that individual :P

[Nuxty]

I didn't believe was any argument. I think he was pointing out something, however like I said, singling out a member of staff who gives up him time to post news on Habbox isn't fair...

As far as I am aware, the manager edits the news reports - Not heard of a news editor as of yet - Would be a good idea!

We appreciate constructive critisism.

As News Manager I do edit things and the Senior Writers are also there to assist me in this, however yesterday I wasn't around until late and then a member of staff directed me to this thread.

Also, to update you all on this, I made some changes to this reporters article and I removed some of the bolds so that only key and important information is in bold! Sorry if any of this sounds unclear, I am writing this on my iPhone!

[Conservative,]

I agree with the points mentioned. But Charlie does his best I'm sure ;) The one idea that came to my attention was of an editor - which would be good - someone who has/is been in the department before and has very good grammar skills who doesn't necessarily write articles, but to help Charlie with all his other duties - just corrects spelling mistakes etc. in articles to improve the overall standard of them, because there are a few grammar/spelling mistakes in a few of the articles!

[Samantha]

The role of editor wouldn't be good in my opinion, it's only a small job, Charlie and Laura are very capable of handling it. :)

My articles/news reports aren't perfect, however, I try to make them as grammaticallly correct and have the correct spellings, if I forget I can always go back. I'm just saying to anyone in the news really we do have a spell checker and google has great grammar checkers, we can all use them too and make an even more smaller job for Charlie and Laura.

[e5]

As News Manager I do edit things and the Senior Writers are also there to assist me in this, however yesterday I wasn't around until late and then a member of staff directed me to this thread.

Also, to update you all on this, I made some changes to this reporters article and I removed some of the bolds so that only key and important information is in bold! Sorry if any of this sounds unclear, I am writing this on my iPhone!

I know you do a very good job at this, Charlie :) You pm'd me within half an hour of me posting my news report without an image - RAPIDO ;).

News is coming on in leaps and bounds since my return - I am now happily writing news reports whereas at other times I wasn't so...

I do like to take my chances to read through every news report written and do spot little erros which i'd love to correct, just need that little edit button there ;)!

[Chippiewill]

I do like to take my chances to read through every news report written and do spot little erros which i'd love to correct, just need that little edit button there ;)!
Perhaps a little comments feature or notify feature for News Reporters to point out these things would be good. Or even just news reporters having a way to email/PM another news reporter and know that they'll get it quickly.

These little things, if they weren't there would speak tons about the quality of Habbox News, whenever I read an article I judge it by it's grammar, not it's content. Tiny things like they're/there/their or capitalisation after commas are just a couple of things I have seen that would be great if news reporters would check a list to see if they've made any of those little mistakes.

Edit: Perhaps a form for notifying by users could be good, it might sound like an acceptance that you make tons of errors but label it like "We rarely make errors, but it does happen, if you do spot a Grammatical or factual error in this article please send us a message"

[Grig]

I've always hammered home the importance of spelling and grammar. It is no major issue because the manager will always pick up upon it and send a quick feedback PM for the reporter to improve. Any other mistakes should be fed through a spell check before posting.

[RyRy]

I've always hammered home the importance of spelling and grammar. It is no major issue because the manager will always pick up upon it and send a quick feedback PM for the reporter to improve. Any other mistakes should be fed through a spell check before posting.

Easiest way to solve that for Habbox is, before submitting through to the site you're required to spellcheck the whole article on the Habbox site. If people don't let by that way, it's kinda hopeless.

[lawrawrrr]

Perhaps a little comments feature or notify feature for News Reporters to point out these things would be good. Or even just news reporters having a way to email/PM another news reporter and know that they'll get it quickly.

These little things, if they weren't there would speak tons about the quality of Habbox News, whenever I read an article I judge it by it's grammar, not it's content. Tiny things like they're/there/their or capitalisation after commas are just a couple of things I have seen that would be great if news reporters would check a list to see if they've made any of those little mistakes.

Edit: Perhaps a form for notifying by users could be good, it might sound like an acceptance that you make tons of errors but label it like "We rarely make errors, but it does happen, if you do spot a Grammatical or factual error in this article please send us a message"

I always change bad spelling or grammar as soon as possible when I'm online. If another reporter was to notice something - and I've said this to them before, I'd be happy to change it if they PM'ed me or something... but we can't in all honesty give the editing powers to all news staff - because there's a balance between personal taste and phrasing it semi-professionally.

But I do still think that sometimes a spell checker does a world of good, google chrome auto spell checker 4 LYF <3

[Grig]

I always change bad spelling or grammar as soon as possible when I'm online. If another reporter was to notice something - and I've said this to them before, I'd be happy to change it if they PM'ed me or something... but we can't in all honesty give the editing powers to all news staff - because there's a balance between personal taste and phrasing it semi-professionally.

But I do still think that sometimes a spell checker does a world of good, google chrome auto spell checker 4 LYF <3

A spell checker should be the procedure always, unless you are a robot :D!

[lawrawrrr]

A spell checker should be the procedure always, unless you are a robot :D!

You would think... yet I always find one or two little spelling mistakes on the front page...

[RyRy]

You would think... yet I always find one or two little spelling mistakes on the front page...

It's really easy to make spelling mistakes for words like receive (ALWAYS FORGET I BEFORE E EXCEPT AFTER C :3) but yeah it's not hard to do a spellcheck, obv can't force all articles to be written in google chrome (no matter how great that would be). Just best to make sure that they all have spell checkers installed, but my idea was to put a spellchecker on the Habbox Staff Panel. Dunno how hard that'd be, but I think it would solve alot of spellcheck problems!

*stares at hoteluser baha*

[lawrawrrr]

It's really easy to make spelling mistakes for words like receive (ALWAYS FORGET I BEFORE E EXCEPT AFTER C :3) but yeah it's not hard to do a spellcheck, obv can't force all articles to be written in google chrome (no matter how great that would be). Just best to make sure that they all have spell checkers installed, but my idea was to put a spellchecker on the Habbox Staff Panel. Dunno how hard that'd be, but I think it would solve alot of spellcheck problems!

*stares at hoteluser baha*

Would actually be a good idea! OMG CAN WE HAVE LIKE THE ANNOYING PAPERCLIP in MS word, but using Oli instead of the annoying paperclip? ;)

[RyRy]

Would actually be a good idea! OMG CAN WE HAVE LIKE THE ANNOYING PAPERCLIP in MS word, but using Oli instead of the annoying paperclip? ;)

Hahahahhahahahahahhahahahaha that is the best idea I've seen in this Feedback Forum for the whole 5 years I've been registered.

[lawrawrrr]

Hahahahhahahahahahhahahahaha that is the best idea I've seen in this Feedback Forum for the whole 5 years I've been registered.

Well they don't call me idea girl for nothing

No they actually don't. But I do think some spell function would be nice XD

[RyRy]

Well they don't call me idea girl for nothing

No they actually don't. But I do think some spell function would be nice XD

I think its wholly down to whether that's actually possible? No real idea on how much code that would be or anything, good job your AGM is HotelUser aye? :P

[HotelUser]

It's really easy to make spelling mistakes for words like receive (ALWAYS FORGET I BEFORE E EXCEPT AFTER C :3) but yeah it's not hard to do a spellcheck, obv can't force all articles to be written in google chrome (no matter how great that would be). Just best to make sure that they all have spell checkers installed, but my idea was to put a spellchecker on the Habbox Staff Panel. Dunno how hard that'd be, but I think it would solve alot of spellcheck problems!

*stares at hoteluser baha*

There is a spellchecker built into the editor :)

[lawrawrrr]

There is a spellchecker built into the editor :)

Is there? Oh dear... shows how much I pay attention... :S

[RyRy]

There is a spellchecker built into the editor :)

ORLY? I haven't used it so yknow :( I wonder how the News Staff are finding errors then? Is it possible to add words to the spellchecker as well if it might be missing one or two? Grammatical errors I assume are a bit harder to pick up too aren't they?

[HotelUser]

We use CKEditor, it uses http://www.spellchecker.net's API for spellchecking. I don't think the problem was the functionality of the spellcheck, but more content designers and news reporters not being aware of its existence :P

[RyRy]

Is that automatic like?

[AgnesIO]

We use CKEditor, it uses http://www.spellchecker.net's API for spellchecking. I don't think the problem was the functionality of the spellcheck, but more content designers and news reporters not being aware of its existence :P

Perhaps you should write a message in the Content and News staff forums - just so they know (look at Laura's response, not everyone does!)

[HotelUser]

Is that automatic like?

No they unfortunately have to click the button.


Perhaps you should write a message in the Content and News staff forums - just so they know (look at Laura's response, not everyone does!)

This has been done :)

[lawrawrrr]

Perhaps you should write a message in the Content and News staff forums - just so they know (look at Laura's response, not everyone does!)

I honestly don't think anyone did, when people have been talking about spellchecking before, they always seem to use Word or something. Will definitely come in useful now!

[Grig]

I honestly don't think anyone did, when people have been talking about spellchecking before, they always seem to use Word or something. Will definitely come in useful now!

Add it to the news handbook, should be easily spotted then :p. I think this feature was even there on Joomla, so I really was not happy when people simply did sloppy mistakes!

[lawrawrrr]

Add it to the news handbook, should be easily spotted then :p. I think this feature was even there on Joomla, so I really was not happy when people simply did sloppy mistakes!

It's in the handbook, I probably skimmed over it... but we've let the other staff know now. It is quite a lot of hassle for me and charlie for only a few things, hopefully this'll sort it out :l

[e5]

It would be good for news reporters to help each other out here and there but I know from past experience that news reporters are not allowed to tell others of their mistakes because it can come across as patronising. Before I resigned as a news reporter the last time, I received a warning for doing so as the person who I attempted to help thought I was being too judgemental on their work and did appreciate it, so i've always been put off pm'ing any members who I see have errors in their work. I would, on the other hand, welcome PM's if my work has spelling or grammar errors, because I want my work to be perfect! :) Best way to learn!


Perhaps a little comments feature or notify feature for News Reporters to point out these things would be good. Or even just news reporters having a way to email/PM another news reporter and know that they'll get it quickly.

These little things, if they weren't there would speak tons about the quality of Habbox News, whenever I read an article I judge it by it's grammar, not it's content. Tiny things like they're/there/their or capitalisation after commas are just a couple of things I have seen that would be great if news reporters would check a list to see if they've made any of those little mistakes.

Edit: Perhaps a form for notifying by users could be good, it might sound like an acceptance that you make tons of errors but label it like "We rarely make errors, but it does happen, if you do spot a Grammatical or factual error in this article please send us a message"