# Why can't we edit? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 6, 2004, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390 "2004-09-06T21:42:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hambil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3be4f8/32.png) [@Hambil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hambil)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/1 "2004-09-06T21:42:19Z")
Argh. It’s a pain. I never see my mistakes until five minutes after I type them. Sometimes I leave out words or say ‘should’ instead of ‘shouldn’t’ and it changes the entire meaning of my post. Why can’t we edit?? ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/2 "2004-09-06T21:44:38Z")
Polite FYI. questions abou the board need to be put in ATMB (About this Message Board) forum. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/3 "2004-09-06T21:44:49Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > Argh. It’s a pain. I never see my mistakes until five minutes after I type them. Sometimes I leave out words or say ‘should’ instead of ‘shouldn’t’ and it changes the entire meaning of my post. > > Why can’t we edit?? If your talking about editing your posts to the board , this one anyways. I think it had to do with not being able to go back and take your words back. While you may not have that in mind , other people might. It sorta forces you to use the preview button first ,before posting , or accepting for all time ,what you may have written , for good or ill , bad or atrocious grammar and the like. Declan ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/4 "2004-09-06T21:45:17Z")
Because, unfortunately, some asshats had the problem of making wildy insane statements, then when someone called them on it, they’d edit their original post and delete the bizarre comments. As usual, a few shitheads had to spoil it for the rest of us. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/5 "2004-09-06T21:46:00Z")
“If you gotta flame, do it here. This is the place for all complaints and other discussion regarding administration of the SDMB” I take it back. Wait. I can’t :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Avenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Avenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avenger)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/6 "2004-09-06T21:50:00Z")
> [@](#): > > It sorta forces you to use the preview button first ,before posting , or accepting for all time ,what you may have written , for good or ill , bad or atrocious grammar and the like. Previeq button is for wimps!!111 ---
**Author:** ![cheddarsnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/7 "2004-09-06T21:57:09Z")
What can’t you perview? ---
**Author:** ![cheddarsnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/8 "2004-09-06T21:58:15Z")
Well, that was a mess. And completely unintentional. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/9 "2004-09-06T22:00:19Z")
I was bored so I did the leg work: > [@](#): > > Q: In particular, why is editing disabled? > A: Because of the potential for abuse. After posting something inflammatory that causes hurt feelings a poster could change what they had said originally and confusion would ensue. Even allowing editing for a short period of time could cause this issue due to the short interval between posts in a busy thread. > > Q: Then why is the edit button still there? > A: Because staff members (moderators and administrators) need the ability to edit posts to fulfill their board duties. And for **Lobsang** : question on board policy - ATMB or The BBQ Pit? > [@](#): > > Some forum guidance in re questions on SDMB policy: > To ask “What is the accepted way of doing something at the SDMB?” put your post in ATMB. > To ask “Why is this the accepted way to do something at the SDMB?” Should probably be in the BBQ Pit, but there are borderline cases. > To ask “Why is this the accepted way to do something at the SDMB? I think it would be better if you did it another way.” The BBQ Pit. Like I said, I had some time on my hands 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/10 "2004-09-06T22:08:06Z")
Because editing is for pussies. We post “Iron Man” style on this board. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/11 "2004-09-06T22:15:21Z")
Just be sure to poofread and peeview. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/12 "2004-09-06T22:17:48Z")
there’s no edit function because GOD SEES YOU and SEES WHAT YOU DO, YOU STRUMPET! ---
**Author:** ![Mbossa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@Mbossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mbossa)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/13 "2004-09-06T22:35:49Z")
Seriously, is the inability to edit your post such a great loss? As mentioned a few times already, preview is available, and previewing your posts is a good habit to get into. Of course, being human, you will always make mistakes. Some of these mistakes will slip through preview. But so what? The people reading your post are human too, and humans can interpret the intent of a text based on its context. If a typo changes the meaning of your post entirely, you can always post a correction. Nobody here is going to think less of you if you make a mistake (unless your post is utterly riddled with typos). If anyone does judge you by your typos, they are violating the “don’t be a jerk” rule, IMO. Note that posting a witty one-liner about your typo doesn’t count as judging – it’s merely having a bit of fun at your expense. But if someone says (or implies) something along the lines of “you made a typo here, therefore your argument is invalid”, then they are a jerk, plain and simple. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/14 "2004-09-06T22:44:54Z")
> [@Mbossa](#): > > Note that posting a witty one-liner about your typo doesn’t count as judging – it’s merely having a bit of fun at your expense. But if someone says (or implies) something along the lines of “you made a typo here, therefore your argument is invalid”, then they are a jerk, plain and simple. Unless your argument is, “I am a perfect typist.” ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/15 "2004-09-06T22:44:58Z")
Here is something I or anyone else could do given the edit feature (currently reserved for mods, admins and the Perfect Master): 1. Write libellous statements, then edit them five minutes later so the evidence disappears (this only works if nobody else sees it). 2. Post links to porn for someone, then remove it before a mod can see it. It’s only cheating if you get caught, after all. 3. Post something knowingly against board rules, then change it before anyone sees (you hope nobody sees it, anyway). Suggestion: preview twice, post once. Any coding error you have will show up in a preview. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/16 "2004-09-06T22:47:31Z")
We have no edit because on this board we like to go commando. Though if you insist on wimpiness, why not copy-and-paste your trenchant insights over into MS-Word or similar software for a spell-check? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2004, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/17 "2004-09-07T00:26:00Z")
Now that you’ve managed to get all the witty replies from the general run of riff-raff on this board, I’ll move it to ATMB, where you now realize it should have been posted. Please don’t think that the responders to your thread are in any way representative of this board. They are merely the bottom of the food chain and act as our garbage disposal unit. Now that I read the replies, you got some great information. This fora is becoming civilized. :eek: OK, everyone! Extra “things” in your swill, tonight! MOVED from BBQ to ATMB **samclem** GQ moderator. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2004, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/18 "2004-09-07T01:02:53Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Now that you’ve managed to get all the witty replies from the general run of riff-raff on this board, I’ll move it to ATMB, where you now realize it should have been posted. > > Please don’t think that the responders to your thread are in any way representative of this board. They are merely the bottom of the food chain and act as our garbage disposal unit. > > Now that I read the replies, you got some great information. This fora is becoming civilized. :eek: > > OK, everyone! Extra “things” in your swill, tonight! > > MOVED from BBQ to ATMB > > **samclem** GQ moderator. Hey, wait a sec, can you insult us while moving a thread OUT of the pit? ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2004, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/19 "2004-09-07T01:24:05Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > Hey, wait a sec, can you insult us while moving a thread OUT of the pit? Hey, He didn’t insult me. He provided me with Mod approval of my first post in this thread by moving it to where I suggested it should be. I am a sucker for approval from above. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2004, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390/20 "2004-09-07T03:31:26Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Now that I read the replies, you got some great information. This fora is becoming civilized. :eek: :eek: is right. Cecil shoulda trained you not to use a plural noun with a singular verb and adjective! :smack: 😉 > [@](#): > > OK, everyone! Extra “things” in your swill, tonight! Hot mush instead of cold mush? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-edit/263390.md?page=2)