Looking For New Members To The Grammar Squad.

[The Niles]

We have an opening in our grammar squad. The new member will be responsible for checking the spelling of reviews on our site as well as newly submitted reviews.

If you feel you have what it takes to become a member of our ever widening support base please submit your request to Fruit Pie Jones via PM.

I thank you for your interest in keeping our community alive.


The Niles

[Master MC]

Sending a PM... right away!

[allyfaucet]

I would be interested, but I just started a new semester at school today, and can't take more time to be on the computer. :tai:

[Master MC]

You have to learn to combine leisure with life... Look at me! It's 12.12 AM and still doing nothing useful!

[Sebatianos]

Originally posted by Master MC@Jan 31 2006, 01:12 AM
You have to learn to combine leisure with life... Look at me! It's 12.12 AM and still doing nothing useful!
Ah, that would explain why you fit perfectly with the rest of us "abandoned freaks" :ok:

[TheChosen]

Hmm...i think my grammar isnt bad...

Il PM him.

[Abi79]

I also PM'ed him.

Oh, and TC:
Hmm...i think my grammar isnt bad...

Il PM him.
:bleh: :tomato:

[Mara]

speaking about grammar , i noticed a few mistakes in the french version.

dox box presentation's is obviously computer translated....

on the games pages :
it sould read :
Commenté et mis sur le réseau par : Kosta
instaed of :
Commentez et mis sur le réseau par : Kosta

Is the whole site in html ?? Wouldn't it be easier with php ?? Might be worth the trouble.

[Sebatianos]

MARA!!!

Finally there's somebody who's interested in French translations (although just correcting a mistake or two at the begining). I think we'd really need somebody to start translating into French again. *wink, wink*

[Mara]

I'm quitte bussy. But I can work on it when I have some time.

[Reup]

Originally posted by Mara@Jan 31 2006, 08:13 PM
Is the whole site in html ?? Wouldn't it be easier with php ?? Might be worth the trouble.
Most of the site IS in php (it's all database driven afaik). But browsers tend to cope better with HTML, so that's what the scripts create :P

EDIT: Well, I'm still betting the gamepages are loaded through some script... But ask Data or Kosta, they've done the coding...

[Mara]

the page are names *.html, so there can't be any php code on these.(won't be interpreted) Unless the the server somehow see these as php files.

(oh , only the games pages are in html.. ). Already a lot to handlle

[Fruit Pie Jones]

Thanks for the PMs, folks! No decisions will be made until the end of the week (2/4 or so), so that everyone who is interested will have a chance to repspond.

[Data]

Originally posted by Mara@Jan 31 2006, 09:15 PM
the page are names *.html, so there can't be any php code on these.(won't be interpreted) Unless the the server somehow see these as php files.

(oh , only the games pages are in html.. ). Already a lot to handlle
well php can be in html (it's only a setting on the webserver how it will treat .html files).

[Yobor]

I have most definitely Private Message'd Fruit Pit Jones.
I've always wanted to harass people about their grammar... I mean... help out Abandonia :-)

[Abi79]

Originally posted by Fruit Pie Jones@Jan 31 2006, 11:08 PM
Thanks for the PMs, folks! No decisions will be made until the end of the week (2/4 or so), so that everyone who is interested will have a chance to repspond.
:whistle:

*sends cookies and money to FPJ to bribe him* :ph34r:

[Fruit Pie Jones]

Originally posted by Abi79+Feb 1 2006, 05:10 AM****</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Abi79 @ Feb 1 2006, 05:10 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Originally posted by Fruit Pie Jones@Jan 31 2006, 11:08 PM
...a chance to repspond.
:whistle: [/b]
Well, you've passed the first test...

******QuoteBegin-Abi79@Feb 1 2006, 05:10 AM
*sends cookies and money to FPJ to bribe him* :ph34r:[/quote]
...and the second!

[Yobor]

So is Abi the newest Grammar Nazi?
Darn. I wanted to get genocidal on those damn words!

[Shrek]

Originally posted by Fruit Pie Jones+Feb 1 2006, 09:59 PM****</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Fruit Pie Jones @ Feb 1 2006, 09:59 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Originally posted by Abi79@Feb 1 2006, 05:10 AM
Originally posted by Fruit Pie Jones@Jan 31 2006, 11:08 PM
...a chance to repspond.
:whistle:
Well, you've passed the first test...

******QuoteBegin-Abi79@Feb 1 2006, 05:10 AM
*sends cookies and money to FPJ to bribe him* :ph34r:
...and the second! [/b][/quote]
I wonder what the third test will be.... :whistle:

[Abi79]

Me too :D

[Fruit Pie Jones]

Originally posted by Yobor@Feb 1 2006, 06:35 PM
So is Abi the newest Grammar Nazi?
Darn. I wanted to get genocidal on those damn words!
Nothing has been decided yet.

I can't tell you exactly what the third test is, but it involves Anna Nicole Smith, a tray of pastries, a length of rope, and an Oxford English Dictionary. You'll probably want to get lots of sleep beforehand.

[kajjj]

Originally posted by Fruit Pie Jones+Feb 2 2006, 06:43 PM****</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Fruit Pie Jones @ Feb 2 2006, 06:43 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> ******QuoteBegin-Yobor@Feb 1 2006, 06:35 PM
So is Abi the newest Grammar Nazi?
Darn. I wanted to get genocidal on those damn words!
Nothing has been decided yet.

I can't tell you exactly what the third test is, but it involves Anna Nicole Smith, a tray of pastries, a length of rope, and an Oxford English Dictionary. You'll probably want to get lots of sleep beforehand. [/b][/quote]
lenght of rope

[Dino]

Originally posted by kajjj+Feb 2 2006, 07:46 PM****</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (kajjj @ Feb 2 2006, 07:46 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Originally posted by Fruit Pie Jones@Feb 2 2006, 06:43 PM
******QuoteBegin-Yobor@Feb 1 2006, 06:35 PM
So is Abi the newest Grammar Nazi?
Darn. I wanted to get genocidal on those damn words!
Nothing has been decided yet.

I can't tell you exactly what the third test is, but it involves Anna Nicole Smith, a tray of pastries, a length of rope, and an Oxford English Dictionary. You'll probably want to get lots of sleep beforehand.
lenght of rope [/b][/quote]
No, it's length. Did you really think Fruit Pie Jones would make another spelling mistake in this kind of thread? That would ruin his authority completely. :)

[kajjj]

oops

[Master MC]

Originally posted by Fruit Pie Jones+Feb 1 2006, 10:59 PM****</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Fruit Pie Jones @ Feb 1 2006, 10:59 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Originally posted by Abi79@Feb 1 2006, 05:10 AM
Originally posted by Fruit Pie Jones@Jan 31 2006, 11:08 PM
...a chance to repspond.
:whistle:
Well, you've passed the first test...

******QuoteBegin-Abi79@Feb 1 2006, 05:10 AM
*sends cookies and money to FPJ to bribe him* :ph34r:
...and the second! [/b][/quote]
Well, kajjj is definately not going to be it!

[kajjj]

actually, lenght is correct, I just checked it

[Master MC]

Give me a copy of that dictionary your holding.
If it says lenght, I'll give you a Snickers.

We are talking about the same 'lenght', aren't we?

[kajjj]

yes, just type lenght in google

[Sebatianos]

Sorry, couldn't find a single meaning of lenght in either Oxford of Webster (nor on my DZS ASPS dic).

[Master MC]

Originally posted by kajjj@Feb 2 2006, 10:02 PM
yes, just type lenght in google
Okay...

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e130/MasterMC/aha.jpg

[kajjj]

looks like both are correct :D

[Tulac]

Owned by google ^_^

[Yobor]

'lenght' is definitely not a word.
Length, width, height, depth

[Dino]

Both are not correct. Word ''length'' is very often wrongly spelled as ''lenght'', which explains all the google results.

It is most certainly length.

[Abi79]

Yup. I looked in some dictionaires, but I couldn't find the word lenght.

But for length:

length Pronunciation (lengkth, length, lenth)

n.

1. The state, quality, or fact of being long.
2. The measurement of the extent of something along its greatest dimension: the length of the boat.
3. A piece, often of a standard size, that is normally measured along its greatest dimension: a length of cloth.
4. A measure used as a unit to estimate distances: won the race by a length.
5. Extent or distance from beginning to end: the length of a novel; the length of a journey.
6. The amount of time between specified moments; the duration: the length of a meeting.
7. Extent or degree to which an action or policy is carried. Often used in the plural: went to great lengths to prove his point.
8. Linguistics
a. The duration of a vowel.
b. The duration of a syllable.
9. The vertical extent of a garment. Often used in combination: knee-length; floor-length.

Idiom:
at length
1. After some time; eventually: At length we arrived at our destination.
2. For a considerable time; fully: spoke at length about the court ruling.

[BeefontheBone]

:omg: Three pages to establish that lenght is a typo? You guys'd all fit right in :)

[Abi79]

:D :D

[Fruit Pie Jones]

LOL No kidding! This is exactly the sort of thing that goes on in the Grammar forum!

[Master MC]

Originally posted by BeefontheBone@Feb 3 2006, 12:36 PM
You guys'd all fit right in :)
Except for kajjj of course! LOL

[Sebatianos]

Typing a word in google really doesn't prove anything :rolleyes:

You could probably type in anything in 1337 as well and you'd get a result, even if leet isn't really a language, nor are those real words. Just try with w00t or r00x

[Yobor]

Mmmm... "Result"... Yes...


On the topic of the word LENGTH, it may be derived from old English "Lengthu"

[Abi79]

What? I forgot to write that? :P

Anyway, is there a third test or do I need to send you some more money, FPJ? :D

[Yobor]

I am just wondering, but how will the GN choose the member? By vote, or by a decision of FPJ?

[Abi79]

Maybe they will vote in the Grammar forum.

[ReamusLQ]

well, I was going to be silent up until now, simply because I always feel like those who make a big deal about getting selected for a position don't really want to do it for the job, but mainly for the title.

Anyway, they will probably choose the same way they chose the new updaters. Just talk about it in the forum, and choose the people they think best, though not necessarily a vote. Probably talk to the admins about it to, because the grammar squad has some server access.

[BeefontheBone]

Actually we don't have any server access - the actual updating process is done by the admins/updaters.

[Yobor]

When could we expect a decision by?

[Fruit Pie Jones]

Beef and I are discussing it via PM. He has proposed that we pick an existing review and have everyone who is interested proofread it and send in their edited versions. That's a pretty good idea, in my opinion. It'll give all of you a chance to show off your madd grammar skillz. So we'll pick a review, and either Beef or I will post a link to it in this thread. I've got a rather busy Sunday ahead of me (what with the Super Bowl and all), so it may be tomorrow before that link gets posted. Then we'll wait until we get submissions from everyone who's sent in a PM expressing interest. Sound good?

[Yobor]

That sounds just dandy! :ok:

[Abi79]

Oh, a competition. :w00t: That's great!

[SupSuper]

Hmm, this sounds interesting. Would I just have to check for minor errors (spelling, cases, punctuation, etc.) or also major grammar errors which would require some more extensive rewriting?

[Sebatianos]

Well, form what I remember (following discusions and general common sense) there should be as little rewriting as possible. You also have to be sure on the vocabulary, because if a word seems strange to you and thus sentence structure seems faulty, you better doublecheck the meaning of the word (that's a mistake Mr. "I've such a perfect grammar" made).

[Fruit Pie Jones]

Originally posted by SupSuper@Feb 6 2006, 09:32 AM
Hmm, this sounds interesting. Would I just have to check for minor errors (spelling, cases, punctuation, etc.) or also major grammar errors which would require some more extensive rewriting?
You'll just have to wait and see, I suppose. :D We generally try to stick as closely as possible to the original reviewer's words so that the edited review still reflects his or her personal style rather than ours, but sometimes we do have to do more than simply correct typos and punctuation. We've all had to make judgment calls on more than one occasion.

I'm looking through some potential reviews now and should post a link to one of them later today.

[BeefontheBone]

Depends what mood we're in - we also add a number of hyperlinks and formatting (titles in italics, etc), and have been known to fix factual inaccuracies too (for instance, the Caesar II review had Caesar sending you to the provinces at a time when Rome was still a republic, which was an understandable mistake given the game's daft title), and in one or two extreme cases it's taken three of us a week or two off and on to sort out a nonsensical mess. Most of the time it's pretty straightforward - fix the grammar, bung in some italics and make sure it scans, keeping the reviewer's style as best we can.

[Fruit Pie Jones]

Originally posted by me
I'm looking through some potential reviews now and should post a link to one of them later today.
"Later today" is American English slang for "tomorrow" in this case, but here's the review: The Patrician (http://www.abandonia.com/games/526/download/Patrician.htm).
Have at it, and PM your edited version to me. (I think this would be better than posting your version here, for several obvious reasons.) Or you can PM it to Beef if you prefer. For the moment I'll say that this is open until we receive edited reviews from everyone who sent me a PM*, but if a long time passes with no response from someone, I'll close it, and we'll decide based on what we've received.

Good luck!

* The following members have sent me a PM expressing interest in joining the Grammar Squad: Master MC, ReamusLQ, Abi79, Yobor, Bieningana, kajjj, and tomf. The rest of you are welcome to tackle this review if you're interested, but once I receive reviews from the people listed, I won't be looking for any more submissions.

[Abi79]

Wow. I didn't notice so many grammar errors in Patrician's review when I translated it. Eh, time to open Word Pad.

[Fruit Pie Jones]

Originally posted by Abi79@Feb 7 2006, 09:26 AM
Wow. I didn't notice so many grammar errors in Patrician's review when I translated it.
Not sure I would have admitted that. :D

[Yobor]

*Pm Sent*

[Sebatianos]

Originally posted by Abi79@Feb 7 2006, 05:26 PM
Wow. I didn't notice so many grammar errors in Patrician's review when I translated it. Eh, time to open Word Pad.
Hmm, that's a thought.

I've spoted some mistakes while translating (depends how focused I was on reading) and every now and againg I chaned a few (usually just the incorrect spelling).

Maybe translators could notify grammar squad about certain reviews? A sort of co-operation.

[Abi79]

Originally posted by Sebatianos+Feb 7 2006, 10:57 PM****</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Sebatianos @ Feb 7 2006, 10:57 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> ******QuoteBegin-Abi79@Feb 7 2006, 05:26 PM
Wow. I didn't notice so many grammar errors in Patrician's review when I translated it. Eh, time to open Word Pad.
Hmm, that's a thought. [/b][/quote]
What did you expect? I don't actually read the words, but the whole sentence. After that I understand what it meant without actually paying too much attention to the words. (it's 11 PM here, so I'm sorry if you don't understand what I mean)

Maybe translators could notify grammar squad about certain reviews? A sort of co-operation.That's a very good idea. :ok: Why didn't I think of it... :whistle:

[BeefontheBone]

Theoretically we're looking at every review in turn, so that's not strictly necessary, but obviously it is the worst reviews we'd like to get fixed. I'm also very happy to edit things before they're added if the writer sends me them, since the most views of a review are when it's first added.

[Abi79]

I've finished with the review, but would there be a problem if I would send it tommorow? (because I want to check it again)

[Sebatianos]

Originally posted by BeefontheBone@Feb 7 2006, 11:42 PM
if the writer sends me them
Well, I know Kin-Tiki is in charge of preparing the games for updates... Would make sense if the grammar squad would have acces to those and could iron out reviews before they're posted for the first time.

[BeefontheBone]

That's also a possibility - I do that with games I prep for AR.

[ReamusLQ]

Originally posted by Sebatianos+Feb 8 2006, 04:52 AM****</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Sebatianos @ Feb 8 2006, 04:52 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> ******QuoteBegin-BeefontheBone@Feb 7 2006, 11:42 PM
if the writer sends me them
Well, I know Kin-Tiki is in charge of preparing the games for updates... Would make sense if the grammar squad would have acces to those and could iron out reviews before they're posted for the first time. [/b][/quote]
I dunno...I mean, most the time I'll go through and do a quick look over the review to make sure nothing horribly obvious is wrong w/ the spelling and grammar, and I have found some pretty nasty stuff I had to fix before, but I think the more people you give partial access to the server, the more likely you are to have problems.

[Fruit Pie Jones]

Originally posted by Abi79@Feb 8 2006, 06:40 AM
I've finished with the review, but would there be a problem if I would send it tommorow? (because I want to check it again)
No problem at all. We're not bound by strict deadlines in the Grammar Squad, so take your time. Well, don't take six weeks*, but don't rush through it either.

*Real Grammar Squad members never take that long. ;)

[BeefontheBone]

Speak for yourself :)

[Master MC]

When is the deadline?
Tight schedule here! :w00t:

[Fruit Pie Jones]

I don't want to impose a deadline for entries yet, but obviously the sooner everyone gets theirs in, the sooner we'll be able to pick someone.

[Abi79]

I've sent you the review, but please take it into consideration only after 9PM GMT, since I'm in a hurry, but maybe I'll spot some more mistakes later in the evening.

[ReamusLQ]

Originally posted by Abi79@Feb 9 2006, 09:54 AM
I've sent you the review, but please take it into consideration only after 9PM GMT, since I'm in a hurry, but maybe I'll spot some more mistakes later in the evening.
Wow...for someone to pour so much time over one review, one has to wonder if they will be this diligent with EACH review (spending several hours on it), or just this one to ensure they get accepted.

I took about ten minutes going over it, declared it equal to my satisfaction, and sent it in.

BTW, how many members are you looking for? Just one, or maybe two or three?

[SupSuper]

Sent mine in. I might have done some small changes just because "it sounded better", but oh well ^_^

[Master MC]

Poor Bobbin.
Did he agree with us humiliating him?




Sorry, I feel like a total n00bmaster. I can't find the add-a-filefunction when sending PMs.

[tomf]

Hey I would like being a member

[Abi79]

Originally posted by Master MC@Feb 10 2006, 01:09 AM
Poor Bobbin.
Did he agree with us humiliating him?
Huh? What's the problem with Bobbin?

Sorry, I feel like a total n00bmaster. I can't find the add-a-filefunction when sending PMs.There is no such thing.

[BeefontheBone]

Originally posted by tomf@Feb 10 2006, 06:03 AM
Hey I would like being a member
We're waiting for a PM from you with the edited review, bud.

@Reamus - two, for now.

[Master MC]

Huh? What's the problem with Bobbin?
He wrote this review.

There is no such thing.
Okay, then I shall e-mail you.

[Abi79]

Can't you just paste the text into a PM? :P

[Master MC]

:wall:
True
But I made it easier for you to check, i.e. made the corrected words bold and I think that kept me from pasting it into the PM-field.

[Fruit Pie Jones]

We didn't pick that review to humiliate Bobbin (who is not to be confused with Bobbin Threadbare) - it just seemed like a good example of a review that's coherent but still needs some correction. The length was good too.

[tomf]

I have sent in my review

[Master MC]

By the way, mister Beef, have you recieved my review?

[BeefontheBone]

Yup, I got it. That email address isn't the best place to send me things, though, it's mostly nothing but spam :)

[ReamusLQ]

Who's left?

[tomf]

Did you get mine? I Pmed it to Fruit Pie Jones

[A. J. Raffles]

Originally posted by ReamusLQ@Feb 13 2006, 12:56 AM
Who's left?
Bieningana. Unless he sent it without making a post in this thread.

[BeefontheBone]

@tomf: Dunno, FPJ's not been online since then to send me it. If he's not had one from that Bien bloke we'll PM him to remind him and think about ignoring him.

[kajjj]

I haven't seen him here since his post about joining the squad. He used to be quite active on the translation forum, but no sign of him there either.

[Fruit Pie Jones]

Sorry for the delays, everyone. I'm rarely on here during weekends. Bieningana is the only one we've not heard from, and I'm just about to PM him about it.

[punch999]

Oh I wonder If I won!

[Master MC]

There are two winners, right?

[BeefontheBone]

We prefer to think of them as initiates - disciples, grasshoppers if you will, to be moulded in our own images. But there'll be two of them, yes. :)

[Master MC]

I...will...comply...

[Yobor]

Ooo....
*Crosses Fingers*

I congratulate the other winner. :-P
But actually I do congratulate both winners, whoever they may be.

[Master MC]

Who replied until now?
And who still has to reply?

[punch999]

I sent in the review.

[Fruit Pie Jones]

The mysterious Bieningana still hasn't replied. He's the only one. If we don't hear from him in a day or two, we'll declare this thing closed and make a decision based on what we've got.

[Master MC]

A day or two?
How long can you torment us!?

I am very disgruntled.

[Yobor]

This is stressful. I'm becoming irritable. Grr...

[ReamusLQ]

meh...be patient. Surely you can find other things to do than worry about getting selected for the grammar squad or not. IF you don't it's not the end of the world. I do these things to help the board simply because I like to be a part of things, but I DO have my own life.

[punch999]

I don't need to worry. I rock to much NOT to get selected.

[SupSuper]

Originally posted by ReamusLQ@Feb 15 2006, 02:08 AM
meh...be patient. Surely you can find other things to do than worry about getting selected for the grammar squad or not. IF you don't it's not the end of the world. I do these things to help the board simply because I like to be a part of things, but I DO have my own life.
You do? I thought one of the requirements for joining this forum was not having one. :P

[A. J. Raffles]

Originally posted by punch@Feb 15 2006, 01:37 PM
I don't need to worry. I rock to much NOT to get selected.
*cough*
:P

[Fruit Pie Jones]

Perhaps this waiting period is a test as well. Or perhaps I still haven't heard from Bieningana.

[ReamusLQ]

Originally posted by Fruit Pie Jones@Feb 15 2006, 07:42 AM
Perhaps this waiting period is a test as well.* Or perhaps I still haven't heard from Bieningana.
test to what, see who freaks out the most? :ok:

[Abi79]

To see how many mistakes people do while typing under stress conditions :P

[Yobor]

There are many ways "freaking out" can be seen. It could be a sign of a desire to join the Grammar Squad and help Abandonia prosper. It could mean that the person is a total and complete Spaz and should never be allowed on the team. It could mean that the person has no life. It could mean MANY things...


"Stress" ?


I believe it is "Stressful" or "Stressed"

[kajjj]

stressed? I doubt.

[Shrek]

Originally posted by Fruit Pie Jones@Feb 15 2006, 04:42 PM
Perhaps this waiting period is a test as well. Or perhaps I still haven't heard from Bieningana.
And why can't this waiting period be a test? You guys should know, "patience is a virtue" :whistle:

(and I can type as many mistakes as I want, I'm not applying for this position :bleh: )

[Dino]

Originally posted by kajjj@Feb 15 2006, 11:39 PM
stressed? I doubt.
So do I.

''Stressful'' is much better. And no, I'm not taking part in the competition. :)

[kajjj]

Originally posted by Fruit Pie Jones@Feb 15 2006, 03:42 PM
Perhaps this waiting period is a test as well. Or perhaps I still haven't heard from Bieningana.
You haven't heard from him, he misteriously disappeared...

[Yobor]

Aye, "Stressful" is much better, but "Stressed" is functional as well.

[punch999]

Come on I want to hear that I won!

[ReamusLQ]

Originally posted by punch@Feb 17 2006, 05:46 AM
Come on I want to hear that I won!
wow...that doesn't sound presumptuous at all!

[Zapotech]

Correct use of grammar comes naturally to me, proper syntax is a way of life.

My IQ is 153, that helps with many aspects of life... including proper grammar and spelling.

[kajjj]

nice to see someone modest here :whistle:

and I'm pretty sure, you are not the only one with high IQ here
and it has nothing to do with grammar, I'm afraid

do you know, that english is my fourth language?

[Zapotech]

I guess I should quote a thread where I reviewed a game recently:

UFO - Enemy Unknown

I first played this game on the PSX, and I was instantly enthralled by it. I love strategy games and extra-terrestrials/UFOs, so this game really got my attention. It features all the classic alien races most commonly reported in the field of Ufology and as you discover them you can see a description of them. You build bases, recruit marines, build craft and so forth. There you will be alerted to UFO activity and intercept them, once you shoot one down you can investigate the crash site. Along the way, you can salvage alien weapons and other technology(aircraft, armor, etc.), which you can reverse engineer to upgrade your own troops. The game itself has a disturbing feel to it when you see what the aliens are doing to the civilians in major cities of the world, and it is up to you and your marines to drive them away from the Earth for good.

`Whoa lord! It is hard to be modest when you are so good.` -- Jon Irenicus(Baldurs Gate II)

[Fruit Pie Jones]

Originally posted by Zapotech@Feb 17 2006, 11:54 AM
Correct use of grammar comes naturally to me, proper syntax is a way of life.

My IQ is 153, that helps with many aspects of life... including proper grammar and spelling.
Then you're certainly aware that both of those commas should be semicolons. Alternatively, the second one can remain a comma, but in that case, "that" should be "which."

As we haven't yet announced who will be the new members of the Squad, you're free to submit an entry if you're interested (see earlier in this thread)...but you'd better hurry.

[Zapotech]

I say tomato you say tomatoe, bleh... I was just posting in the thread since I found it amusing. I have many other responsibilities and projects on other boards/sites and IRL. So, I am not competing in this, I already have more than I can chew on my plate as of late.

<edit>

I guess I should introduce myself. Hello everyone. My name is Fernando and it is a pleasure to be here. I will be as active here as I can, I am a very busy man.

[Yobor]

Yes, and we can see that you have a very large head...

[A. J. Raffles]

... and an oversize sig.

By the way, are you quite sure you meant 'enthralled' there rather than simply 'thrilled'?:P

[Yobor]

"Entralled" gives the sense that the person has been "taken over" by the game and is now "obsessed" with it. The word provides more information than a simple "thrilled" would.


And, by the way, you seem to have a problem creating complete sentences. A simple comma does not connect the clauses to a sufficient degree. "There you will be alerted to UFO activity and intercept them, once you shoot one down you can investigate the crash site." This should be "There you will be alerted to UFO activity and intercept them period Once you shoot one down you can investigate the crash site."

Or, you could connect the clauses with a semicolon; they are very useful.

[BeefontheBone]

Zapotech, welcome to the site. One question, though; does a 153 IQ help you in reading big sticky topics about forum rules regarding language and signature sizes at all?

Everyone else, we've made a decision - the two new members of the Grammar Squad will be ReamusLQ and Yobor. Congratulations to the rest of you - you've just avoided the unenviable task of spending days arguing over a comma and tearing your hair out at especially confusing sentences :)

None of the edits we received from you guys were perfect (and there were one or two errors in there which eluded everybody), but Yobor's and Reamus' came closest to getting them all - congratulations to them!

All we need to do is get your permission masks sorted out with the administration and you're set. Reamus' should be fairly straightforward since he's a VIP already, Yobor's might require some effort from Kosta and/or Maikel, I'm not sure. An extra complication would be if either of you is a translator - please let me know ASAP if that's the case.

[Yobor]

Amazing. I am honored by your decision.

Congratulations Reamus.
:D

[A. J. Raffles]

Originally posted by Yobor@Feb 17 2006, 08:42 PM
"Entralled" gives the sense that the person has been "taken over" by the game and is now "obsessed" with it. The word provides more information than a simple "thrilled" would.
Sorry to disagree there, Yobor, but 'enthralled' is far too strong a word to describe someone's being fascinated by a computer game. 'Enthral' means 'enslave mentally or morally'. Here it's basically just being used as a slightly more pretentious way of saying 'fascinated', and that's not the actual meaning of the word. And it hasn't really been much in use since the late 19th century anyway...

Oh, and welcome to the Grammar Squad, by the way.:bye:

[Yobor]

:-) Thanks.



However, "Enthralled" can be used in a much less serious way, as per the word love. "Love" can mean a deep emotional bond with another person, or it can mean a like of something. To quote Anchorman, "I love lamp." Obviously, the person is not going to have a strong emotional bond with a lamp, but they can simply enjoy lamps.

[BeefontheBone]

FWIW, I'm with AJ - there's plenty of words for "thrilled", why devalue the wonderful word "enthralled"?

[Yobor]

Methinks "Enthralled" is fun to say :-). However, I understand and concede.

[punch999]

Your serious? I didn't win?!!

[Fruit Pie Jones]

Our serious...I mean, we're serious.

[SupSuper]

Wow, Yobor looks like part of the team already ;)

[Frodo]

Originally posted by BeefontheBone@Feb 17 2006, 08:44 PM
Everyone else, we've made a decision - the two new members of the Grammar Squad will be ReamusLQ and Yobor.
Congratulations to all of two .... I mean you of both ......I meam both of you.

:D

[ReamusLQ]

Me speaks english good! :ok:

Punch didnt get chosen!? Thats unpossible! :ok:

Congrats to you as well Yobor.

And to AJ and Beef: I look forward to working with you.

[punch999]

Don't except congratulations from me. Im a very bad loser. LOL

[A. J. Raffles]

Originally posted by punch@Feb 18 2006, 06:07 AM
Don't except congratulations from me. Im a very bad loser. LOL
:D

It really is a lot of nitpicking about commas, unclear referents and the exact meaning of words, though. Unless you actually enjoy that, you probably wouldn't have liked it anyway.;)

[Yobor]

Ooo.... reference...

To elaborate on the subject of "Enthrall", it consists of two parts: "En" and "Thrall". A Thrall is a vassal or slave, especially used for manual labor, and oftimes is considered of a low intelligence level. The prefix "En" often denotes the makes of something. "Encase" - to make in a case.

[Abi79]

So I didn't win. Pfft... *resumes translation of AB* At least I'll be (one day) the first 13 years-old kid who translated Abandonia almost on his own :D

[SupSuper]

Originally posted by A. J. Raffles@Feb 18 2006, 08:01 AM
It really is a lot of nitpicking about commas, unclear referents and the exact meaning of words, though. Unless you actually enjoy that, you probably wouldn't have liked it anyway.;)
I love being picky :D shame I didn't get chosen. Oh well, can't expect my grammar to be top-notch when English isn't my first language. Could you just tell me what mistakes did I miss?

[A. J. Raffles]

Originally posted by SupSuper+Feb 18 2006, 03:45 PM****</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (SupSuper @ Feb 18 2006, 03:45 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> ******QuoteBegin-A. J. Raffles@Feb 18 2006, 08:01 AM
It really is a lot of nitpicking about commas, unclear referents and the exact meaning of words, though. Unless you actually enjoy that, you probably wouldn't have liked it anyway.;)
I love being picky :D shame I didn't get chosen. Oh well, can't expect my grammar to be top-notch when English isn't my first language. [/b][/quote]
Well, it isn't mine either.;)

[Titan]

And this topic has lost its function.. *lock and release*