Technical Terms

Let's turn to Merriam-Webster Online for a moment.

Internet: an electronic communications network that connects computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the world

World Wide Web: a part of the Internet designed to allow easier navigation of the network through the use of graphical user interfaces and hypertext links between different addresses -- called also Web

Thus, I prefer to write that someone has their interactive site on the Web -- not "the Internet." Thus, I prefer to direct readers to the Web, not "the Internet" to find information.

Look.

It would be perfectly accurate, when identifying someone in a story, to write that his or her house was "in the United States." But wouldn't it be better to write that their house was "in Cleveland"?

The latter statement tells you much more than the former. The fact that the house is "in the United States" is packed into the information that the house is "in Cleveland."

Many things go through the Internet that don't appear on the Web. If you retrieve your e-mail through a program other than your Web browser, you didn't "surf the Web" to get it. It went through the Internet's pathways to your computer.

People use the terms interchangeably. Don't do it. Each of these words has a specific meaning that it behooves us to preserve.

Acronym Anger

The only acronyms used in a piece of writing should be ones commonly understood on their own. That is: FBI, CIA and the like. No others.

I don't care if the article mentions the IGRJTYAA (the International Great Regional Jam and Toast Youth Association of America) over and over and over again. Don't use the acronym. Call it the youth association on second reference. Call it just the association.

For God's sake, don't call it the IGRJTYAA.

Just because the story covers the group doesn't mean readers know the acronym, or that they will become accustomed to said acronym in a few paragraphs. Give them -- give everyone -- a break. Use real words.

What I Learned at ACES Houston

Bring nearly 400 copy editors together for three days in a confined space and you produce magic. And bitching.

Grammar ticky-tacky can be overrated. Especially when so few agree.

The world of copy editing can be disconcertingly small. In my first session, I met two people with whom I attended college.

Tom Mangan is three steps ahead of us all.

Phil Blanchard is as dashing in person as he is at the TCE board.

I'm happy that I do what I do.

More Copy Editing Convention Business

To anyone I didn't speak with at the Houston shindig, I apologize. On the first day (Thursday the 18th), I was operating on slightly more than an hour of sleep. On the second day I had it pretty much together, but by day three (Saturday the 20th) I was packing up to leave. I flew out that evening.

The result of all this: I spoke to fewer people than I hoped. Some disappeared before I could reach them. Others frightened me. I also didn't plug this blog nearly as much as I planned -- I figured it would look tacky.

Anyway.

I learned a lot, and I hope to share some tidbits as this blog (as featured at Poynter) continues. I'm glad to have talked with those of you I did. Drop by Copy Massage now and then, if you would. Leave insulting comments for all to see.

Back to Florida

I've returned, with books and papers aplenty. More to come, as I assemble my thoughts. Fun times.

Copy Massage Mentions

Thanks to the folks at Poynter, who mentioned Copy Massage in an article posted Thursday.

Quite a few folks dropped by, it seems. Thanks.

Jotbook News Service links to Poynter and the article. They have these kind words about me:

"As far as I'm concerned, copy editors in their twenties should not be allowed to do anything but get coffee until they have cleared adolescence, at, say 33."

So, I'm Here

In Houston, that is, for the ACES conference. Met and chatted with Tom of Prints the Chaff and saw old coworkers and college folk.

I'm using the free computers provided, and there's a line, so I'll wrap up. I'm operating on slightly more than one hour of sleep.