Attention to detail

One area where modern technology is making a mark is in the proofing of online and print material. 

In the old days, when documents were typeset proofing was an art. Several people would look over bus timetables and maps to ensure all was correct. In those days errors were rare. Now with computerised design tools and spellcheck it has become too easy to rely on the technology. It is also the case that most proofing is done by the person who keyed in the text. In such instances it is easy to read what was meant to be there.

I recall a former editor of mine always saying "the bigger the type the bigger the error" and there is evidence around to suggest he was right.

It seems that the new South Western Railway has already fallen foul of the 'attention to detail' rule. Having mis-placed Woking and Clapham Junction on a map it now needs to learn how to spell Salisbury - it certainly isn't Sailsbury as it had on a recent timetable map. 

Yes, we know all about greenhouses and stones and we put our hands up. Yes, we also have fallen foul of missed proofing errors. We also added some errors to the original version of this blog item!