Correcting a Hubber

1. 60

   german83posted 10 years ago

   What is the right way of correcting a Hubber when you know some info they write is wrong or inaccurate?

   replyreport
   1. 89

      SimeyCposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Probably send them some 'fan mail' or an 'email' through their profile.

      replyreport
   2. 61

      paradigmsearchposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Drag them out behind HP HQ and...

      replyreport
      1. 92

         Gcrhoads64posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         

         replyreport
   3. 59

      MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Make damn sure that 1. It's not a matter of opinion and 2. It's not you that's wrong. Then send a message with a very polite point out and a link to a credible source to back it up.
      
      Wrong: You are wrong about what you said, just thought you should know. You should probably change that, stupid.
      
      Better: Hey I read where you say "xx" in your hub.  This article <insert link> has another viewpoint.  Just thought you might want to take a look. Maybe you can edit your hub to include their opinion, just for balance.
      
      My Version: You're a bloody boob and someone should take away your keyboard before you hurt yourself, wanker.

      replyreport
   4. 82

      HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      When I feel qualified to "correct" another hubber I'll quit writing here and write as an expert. Unless their content is openly racist, homophobic or in any other way derogatory to another human being ( or dangerous)  I'll disregard it if I believe that it has no value.
      
      People are entitled to their perspective, we are not the thought police.

      replyreport
      1. 59

         MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I don't know about that...
         
         There is a particular recipe hub floating around which uses a ridiculous amount of asafoetida for flavor. That's cool, I guess, I love the taste too... maybe not that much but whatever.
         
         The problem is that asafoetida is a abortifacient.  I thought that since the writer was putting well-over the amount used to actually cause miscarriage when given for that purpose, that she might want to put a little note somewhere imparting that information to any pregnant women who might be craving Indian food.
         
         So I dropped a note (a very polite one) with a link to three or four reputable sites.  If she included the note, great.  If there is a path of dead fetuses piling up on her score card, well I guess that's on her.

         replyreport
         1. 82

            HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            That's different, because potentially it's dangerous. I did mention dangerous. I suppose the OT has to put this into some kind of perspective. What would they want to correct and why?

            replyreport
            1. 59

               MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               I'm sorry, I missed that.
               
               I guess I was snarky for no reason.
               
               Again, apologies.

               replyreport
               1. 82

                  HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  No problem.

                  replyreport
   5. 75

      WriteAngledposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Well, first of all I would want to know what qualifications you have that make you feel you are competent to "correct" anything I write.
      
      If your "correction" is a link to a Wikipedia article, frankly, I do not want you spamming my email with that garbage.
      
      If you want to correct my grammar and style, you had better be familiar with UK conventions, as well as demonstrating pristine usage in your own writing, before attempting to do so.

      replyreport
   6. 59

      MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      WA's post is a really good example of what you might come across while attempting even constructive criticism.  You might want to keep that in mind.
      
      I've gotten it a few times via comments, shrugged, thanked them and left it there. There are others that flip crap and become extremely offended at the mere hint that they might not be perfectly correct in everything, ever.  And there are others that fall in-between.
      
      Just fair warning.

      replyreport
2. 81

   psycheskinnerposted 10 years ago

   You could message, or comment, or ... not.

   replyreport
3. 87

   SidKempposted 10 years ago

   I believe that all correction should be private, not public.
   
   So I used the email [hubber name] link (found on the hubber's profile page, after you click Fan Mail but NOT fan mail for corrections like this one.
   
   Reason: You can only send one fan mail to a hubber, ever. If you waste that on a correction they will not want to post publicly, you will never get to tell the world good stufff about them, if you should want to.
   
   I do not correct every mistake I find on HubPages. I'm not the thought police. I only provide corrections when I see that the person is open to listening and willing to take action. When I do, I write it like MelissaBarrett suggests under "Better." I do that even when I feel like writing what she says under "My Version."
   
   There is one exception. Some hubs invite multiple perspectives - they encourage readers to think for themselves. On a hub like that, I might post an alternate view in the discussion, to encourage discussion. But I'm cautious: I've found that even the most encouraging and polite comment can trigger a flaming attack from someone out there (most often, not the hubber himself).

   replyreport
   1. 87

      DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, SidKemp--corrections should be private via e-mail.  Additionally, if I were to correct someone about factual matters, I would be doggoned sure I was familiar with the topic myself, first.
      For the most part, however, I tend to send polite notices to folks who have flubbed a word, giving a different or nonsensical meaning to what they
      were trying to say, "heals," instead of "heels," for example.
      I can tend to be  one of the  "grammar police," but I usually don't comment or correct hubbers about that because for the most part, I find multitudes of such errors only in hubs by non-native English speakers, and I must bite my tongue and give them credit for putting forth the effort to write on an English-only site such as this.
      I am more inclined to write articles about grammar and wrong/mistaken words than to send such corrections to individuals.

      replyreport
      1. 60

         german83posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         That's great. As a non-native English speaker, I would appreciate any comment on my grammar, in order to improve my Hubs (and my English). But I know some people wouldn’t like that.

         replyreport
4. 81

   psycheskinnerposted 10 years ago

   I believe it is a case by case thing.  For example if a hubber is recommending feeding bleach to your children to cure hiccups I would want to make an immediate public comment in case some idiot might follow that advice.

   replyreport
   1. 72

      relacheposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      In cases that are actually as bad as the above example, I flag the hub and include a detailed note to the moderators explaining how how the Hub is medically dangerous and let them decide the situation.  There have only been a handful of instances that drastic, but that what's worked for me when I find something extremely questionable that carries potential medical liability.

      replyreport
      1. 88

         WryLiltposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         ^That.

         replyreport
5. 76

   brakel2posted 10 years ago

   I have received spelling or grammar mistakes on comments, also layout suggestions, and I appreciated them.  Everyone is not like me, fortunately or unfortunately.   Lol

   replyreport
   1. 94

      jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I'm like you, brakel2. I don't mind correction. Isn't that what community is all about? I wish more hubbers would tell me when they see a mistake in my hubs so I can fix it. It translates into better hub, better QAP rating, more traffic. Whether it's in the forums, comments, or email, I welcome it.
      I had a hubber who gave me a great critique in the comment section and told me to delete it afterwards. We all have that option.

      replyreport
6. 94

   daydreamsposted 10 years ago

   Some one pointed out that I had a typo in one of my hubs in the comments, which I found helpful- they had said other things about it first though which probably helps it come across in the right way. I would probably find it mostly annoying if someone commented on one of my hubs with a lot of corrections, but it would depend how it was phrased. If it is the case that someone disagrees with my ideas or something I have said again it would depend how they said it, but it wouldn't bother me too much, because I would ignore it.

   replyreport
   1. 73

      Barbara Kayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I had someone let me know there were multiple errors on the first hub I ever wrote. At the time it irritated me. Once I reread the hub, I was shocked that I could make that many mistakes. It taught me to edit hubs before publishing.

      replyreport
7. 90

   Millionaire Tipsposted 10 years ago

   I appreciate knowing when someone finds an error in my work.  Simply knowing that at least one person found something incorrect or missing gives me a chance to clarify or correct. It does help me see when something is not as clear as it could be or not presented as forcefully as it should have been.  After all, I don't have to change anything if I don't want to.

   replyreport
8. 82

   brianrockposted 10 years ago

   I'd post a polite comment that points out the error. Some people may flip a lid, but if they can't take some constructive criticism, oh well. That's their problem, not mine.
   
   I wrote a hub about politics and strange political scenarios. Turns out I missed one detail and made an erroneous statement towards the end of the hub. Someone left a comment pointing it out, for which I was thankful. I revised the hub that night, fixed the error, and thanked the commenter for pointing it out.
   
   We all make mistakes. And we'd all be a lot better off if people acknowledge them and fix them, rather than insisting that they're perfect.

   replyreport
9. 81

   Sheri Fayeposted 10 years ago

   If someone finds a grammer or spelling error in my hubs I would really appreciate being told (via private email). I have three people read my hubs before I publish, and I edit like crazy, but things can still fall between the cracks. I can't tell you how many times things like "of" and "or" pass spell check but are sooo wrong, and I just don't see it. One thing I worry about is hubs that give health advice that may sway a reader to dangerous choices. Just because something is on the web doesn't mean it is true, but not everyone knows this. I think this is important that we are talking about this as people can really publish (almost) anything they want here.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with the medical thing, even though I write those dreaded home remedies articles that set some people's teeth on edge.
      
      I think there should be an automatic disclaimer put on all hubs in the medical categories.  Something like "This article is for informational purposes. Please discuss the benefits and risks of all treatment options with your physician before implementing any changes in your medical care. This hub is not intended to replace professional medical advice"

      replyreport
10. 84

    Express10posted 10 years ago

    Lord knows I find typos and things even after I've proofread. I appreciate constructive criticism because it helps me. Providing a comment to the article will not harm or kill me, nor will sending me a tactful message.

    replyreport
11. 92

    Sherry Hewinsposted 10 years ago

    I don't think there's anything wrong with posting about a typo or some other small error in a comment, after all the recipient always has the option of deleting the comment. I have been surprised sometimes that people are offended by this though. I rarely do it unless it's just a glaring error in an otherwise stellar hub.
    
    The only time I've seen medical advice that I knew from personal experience was harmful, the hub was also spun, and barely understandable. I flagged it and it was soon gone.

    replyreport
12. 93

    agilitymachposted 10 years ago

    I appreciate people catching spelling, grammar or typo mistakes.  I would even appreciate corrections of fact, as long as it is fact and not opinion.  I WOULD want these sent via e-mail and not public comments though.  I get few enough comments on my hubs as it is due to my subject matter being of limited interest here on Hubpages.  I'd hate to delete a comment!!!

    replyreport
13. 75

    Vlorsutesposted 10 years ago

    I think the best way would be to be straightforward and honest, but not be condescending at the same time. Any good hub writer will be welcoming constructive criticism, and should gladly take any advice given to them about any errors or mistakes involved.

    replyreport
    1. 61

       johannawilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Deleted
       1. 92

          Susana Sposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          No one can see your hubs if they've been unpublished. My advice would be to:
          
          - take a look at each hub and see if there is a message at the top. If there is, click the link and there should be more explanation of what the problem is.
          
          - check your email. See if there's anything from HP there.
          
          - If you're still confused, email team@hubpages.com
          
          EDIT: It could be to do with this new policy http://blog.hubpages.com/2013/04/five-f … b-barrier/

          replyreport
14. 60

    german83posted 10 years ago

    I guess this subject got more implications than I first thought when I posted it.
    When I asked this question, I was talking about being absolutely sure of the correction you are about to do. For instance, I saw a Hub that was really inaccurate about my country, and I don't know if I should say something about this misinformation, or just leave that way.
    
    Many Thanks to all for your suggestions...

    replyreport
    1. 87

       Cardisaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       I see the same thing with my country, especially our food culture. I sometimes make a correction but sometimes I just leave it be. If the incorrect information you find will reflect negatively on your country, I would suggest sending the person an email. There is the option of flagging as well especially if the person does not respond, HP does allow you to flag misleading information.

       replyreport
    2. 93

       agilitymachposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       As a former newspaper journalist, correct information is so important to me.  If I were reading that erroneous hub about your country to garner information, I would be learning the wrong thing and creating a false image about your country. 
       
       I see lots of wrong information in hubs on my area of expertise (and I am an expert).  It's very, very frustrating as a former journalist to know people are then potentially hurting their dogs by following such bad information.

       replyreport
15. 82

    HollieTposted 10 years ago

    Or you could just write a hub about it. Some people are not interested in balance so despite your protestations, or attempts to offer other information, they'll just ignore anyway.
    
    At least by writing a hub about the subject you can provide an insight which may not be available anywhere else.

    replyreport
16. 81

    psycheskinnerposted 10 years ago

    My position is that anyone who posts a correction publicly on my hub is a nice person who is trying to help me.  Even if I think their opinion is wrong, why shouldn't they offer it?  I am not such a delicate petal that someone offering their opinion will offend me.

    replyreport
17. 0

    jparrottmerrellposted 10 years ago

    Haha! Funny :-)

    replyreport
18. 93

    Carola Finchposted 10 years ago

    What a long discussion.  One option I haven't seen here is to contact people through their homepage, if they have one.  On a person's profile, a link appears next to the FB and Twitter icons that links to a person's homepage, which usually has contact info.

    replyreport
19. 84

    VictoriaSheffieldposted 10 years ago

    great question!!

    replyreport
20. 84

    VictoriaSheffieldposted 10 years ago

    I am even wondering if I should because some people really don't want to hear that they are wrong!!

    replyreport
21. 85

    lovebuglenaposted 10 years ago

    If a hubber wrote something that is incorrect then I think pointing it out in the comments section is a good idea. Nothing wrong with that.

    replyreport