A Public Request for Triond to Raise Publishing Standards: Who’s with Me?

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A Public Request for Triond to Raise Publishing Standards: Who’s with Me?

Posted on October 18th, 2009 in Online Writing by CaSundara

I don’t claim to be an expert in writing, or building successful websites, but it’s clear to me that Triond needs to raise publishing standards if they want their websites to be successful.

I’ve not been here long, and I’m still experimenting to discover how to make it work best, but the problem concerning incredibly poor quality content isn’t anything I can change and I’m certain it must be affecting both mine and everyone else’s chances of success. I’m not saying my writing’s perfect – indeed, there have been times when upon re-reading it once published, I’ve noticed multiple errors with spelling, grammar, and punctuation (and there were almost certainly more I didn’t notice, since I have no qualifications in English language and am yet to sit my exams).

There has only been one occasion when a piece of mine was actually declined. The explanation given was that it contained too many spelling errors, yet I checked with a spell-check and there were none. When I re-published it was accepted, so I have no idea what that was all about. It makes no sense when I read articles daily that are littered with serious errors – often leaving them basically illegible – which were obviously published without a problem.

Here is an example of some illegible content currently published on a Triond website:

“In your subconscious mind is thinking and self-talk that has been building since your birth. What do you do consciously verbalize and are filed in drawers sloppy in the subconscious to help dictate your actions.”

And there’s plenty more where that came from…

17 Responses to “A Public Request for Triond to Raise Publishing Standards: Who’s with Me?”

B Nelson
October 18th, 2009 at 9:57 am

the problem is that it would take too long for them to review so many submissions.

I am more concerned with wrong, or poor information. I have seen people write about subjects they know nothing about – taking bits and pieces from other sites and putting facts together wrong simply to get views rather than to spread correct info and knowledge.
Petalm
October 18th, 2009 at 10:04 am

I agree with B Nelson. I think the worst quality on Triond is in the poetry department.
CaSundara
October 18th, 2009 at 10:08 am

They needn’t view them all, they could simply integrate software to check and automatically decline those with errors. You’re right with the other point, too – although that would be somewhat trickier to deal with. The only answer would be for ratings to be added and articles and for very poorly rated articles to be removed. Even so, you’d need one for writing capability and one for content accuracy and I doubt it would work as intended.
martie
October 18th, 2009 at 10:39 am

I am actually conflicted about this argument. Yes, rejecting more articles might improve the overall writing on the site, which could improve Triond’s reputation.

On the other hand, I view Triond as one of the few sites where new writers can learn to write and improve their skills. I have seen many writers on here do just that.

Perhaps, if Triond had a split, one for new upcoming writers who wanted to improve their work and one for more established writers I would be in favor of a change.

But, as it stands, I like the idea that all of us can get feedback from other members that helps us improve our writing.

Perhaps the ideal solution would be for them to get a bit more restrictive, but not overly so.

I don’t have the answer.
CaSundara
October 18th, 2009 at 10:46 am

I just don’t see how it can work (for anyone), from a business perspective, if they allow poorly written articles to be continually published, at the current frequency. Some of us (or perhaps most of us, because of the way Triond is run) are here for the fun of it, or the learning process. But Triond itself is a business, and needs to concern itself with making money. Surely they’d make far more (as would we…) if they maintained some standards?
Madison Parker
October 18th, 2009 at 11:48 am

Here is the problem as I see it. The more you publish, the more money you make and the more you are put on the “Hot Content” list for all to see and to click on. Therefore, there is no incentive to write WELL, only to write QUICKLY.

I have seen some content that is pure silliness and has no value to anyone whatsoever; but if you write LOTS of these, you will make more money; mind boggling! But, it is the name of the game! On the other hand I know a fourteen-year-old here who writes really well.

The problem with grammar and spelling errors is easily fixed if one spends more TIME to re-read and correct. But, that takes time. The spelling and punctuation problem can be easily fixed; don’t rely on Triond’s spell-checker or editors to fix the problems for you. Write articles on a word or pages or other word processing program. Then, run the spell/grammar check and fix the problems. THEN cut and paste it to Triond and run their spell check as well. But, all of this takes time.

Personally, I won’t submit content until this is done. Occasionally something slips by, but it is important that if my name is on an article then it better not have stupid errors in it!

And yes, I agree with you.
Sophie Scripter
October 18th, 2009 at 12:47 pm

Completely agree. I usually take pride in my writing, but have on occasion written a bunch of so-so articles instead of focusing on one good article – all in the name of cash (or more often, pennies).

My solution – and suggestion to other writers with similar frustrations – is to begin submitting articles to Factoidz. This site is very good about checking spelling/grammar & have even informed me when the content seemed fragmented, and needed improvement. Plus, they only allow articles 400 words or more. So when I feel I have something substantial to offer, I’ll save it for Factoidz.
CaSundara
October 18th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

@Madison Parker – You’re absolutely right, too many people don’t take a pride in their work and are too concerned with earning a few cents (this might be especially true in countries where the dollar is worth far more – but that’s another story…). But you’ll never change that, so Triond insisting upon standards is the only way forward. Thanks for commenting!

@Sophie – I joined Factoidz but haven’t published anything over there. I think I might give it a whirl. Long-term, it has to be a better site to work with. Thanks for the heads up!
Tomer Guez
October 18th, 2009 at 4:34 pm

> THEN cut and paste it to Triond and run their spell check as
> well. But, all of this takes time.

A good spell check and grammar check program is Spell Check Anywhere (SpellCheckAnywhere.Com). It works in all programs, including blogs, and email.
Guy Hogan
October 18th, 2009 at 5:37 pm

This is how I see it. Triond includes everyone because this is how Triond makes its money. The way Triond is setup is not an accident. This is their business model. You are asking Triond to do something that is against their own interest. They will change when poor writing starts to affect their buttom line. Right now it doesn’t. Triond is still growing and it is growing rapidly. To do what you suggest would be to put this rapid growth at risk.
Mary Patricia Bird
October 18th, 2009 at 9:49 pm

I had an article rejected due to poor grammar. I fixed a few things… they weren’t big errors. Like you say, I have seen a lot worse on here and am dumbfounded as to how some of these things are published when that article of mine that was rejected had errors that most people wouldn’t recognize. Writers use Triond to get exposure hoping that some agent, publisher or editor may stumble upon your work. But I would hate that they would not give it a second look if they think Triond does not set high standards.
Ursula Banteux
October 18th, 2009 at 11:21 pm

I think it’s important for Triond to raise its publishing standards, because that would also mean that they would have to pay writers more for better quality work.
hutchcraft
October 19th, 2009 at 12:31 am

I’m new to Triond, but I can see everyones point. As writers we all should be proud of what we write. But I was also told by other writers that editors are important. If you don’t have an editor to tell you your errors, you have to rely on others in writing communities…like Triond. Raising the publishing standards would make it difficult for new writers to find a place to get advise on there work. If a post is popular, you have to be doing something right….right? Please remember, I’m new. This site was recommended to me to help me with deadlines and to better my writing.
lillyrose
October 19th, 2009 at 7:04 am

Some very good points put across here.
I always do my writing on word then copy/paste to triond.
They sent my Ley line article back for to many spelling errors, however when I rechecked it the only spelling error, or so they thought was the word Ley, which was in the article about 7 times and thats because it wasn’t in trionds dictionary. It is now!!
CaSundara
October 19th, 2009 at 11:37 am

Thanks for all your comments, folks. It’s good to see the majority would like to see standards raised. I’m decorating right now so I’ll try to respond to you all individually later on, if I get the time.
Teves
October 27th, 2009 at 11:02 pm

Nice and interesting…
Pls. read my article and post some comments,
Thanks……..
http://authspot.com/poetry/largest-tree-of-mankind/
Francois Hagnere
October 28th, 2009 at 4:26 am

Why not yes, but triond probably wants to give everyone a chance…They should also improve their dictionary.