Proof-reading errors while looking at CRT.

[dogleg43]

I have trouble proof-reading a document when it is displayed on a computer monitor. It seems that no matter how hard I look it over on the screen I will find errors when I print it out.

Need to know if this problem is just with me or if others experience the same thing? Is it an age thing? I’m 50 yrs. old and have been using computers for a long time (20+ years).

 

[monkeydog]

dogleg43,
You are not alone.
I finally gave up and just print-out any document that requires my approval.

 

[BelspringKen]

I work with folks who try to proof almost everything on screen.

That method does not work very well for me(I am 37) and I prefer to check things and work them out roughly on paper first.

We end up finding a lot of things later when we print things out for review.

 

[wes616]

I've always exeperinced the same problem. Reports, a letter, and (especially) drawings must be printed in order to catch all the errors.

Wes C.
------------------------------
Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

 

[KiwiMace]

I switched to an LCD monitor, and find it much easier to proof read on screen. CRT's feel like they are burning your eyes out after a while. Save a tree and get a monster big new monitor while you're at it!

 

[JAE]

I have noticed more errors on drawings since the advent of CADD. We have noticed that our techs have trouble checking their drawings while on the screen and now make them print out sheets and check the hard copies.

There is some weird human response thing going on here with how we "see" things on a screen, be it CRT or LCD.

 

[Comcokid]

I seem to have noticed the same thing in the past 5 years, but I attribute it to the change that happens in your late 40's where you go from regular glasses to bi-focal or progressive focus lenses. I realize that even now as I type, I don't tilt my head back enough to bring the CRT into full focus. The other thing is I'm not only dealing with the glare of the glasses, but the glare off the CRT.

 

[epoisses]

The fact that you write crt (I believe it even used to be CRT: with a colon just like A: and B proves that it's an age thing!

No, just joking, it's a very common problem. Just make sure your printer cable is perfectly straightened out, otherwise your text gets messed up and you will inevitably have errors in the printout that were not there on the screen. :-D

I am waiting for the first IT-tech / physicist / ophthalmologist / psychologist / who know what who can explain it. Meanwhile we'll just keep wasting trees...

 

[Senselessticker]

I am only 30 and I print and proof (with yellow high-lighter and red pen in hand) all project documents I create that go officially "on record" (except quickie type emails). If it happens to be a VERY important email, I will print and proof it as well. Although if an email is that important, I will generally issue a formal document (which will receive independent peer review on paper) per my company's QA procedures. I see right thru errors if trying to catch them on the screen. I've never checked/proofed a drawing on the screen. In fact, I think I would probably get fired for doing so!!!

 

[SomptingGuy]

JAE,

What's CADD? An error of proof reading perhaps?

 

[Senselessticker]

Computer Aided Drafting and Design

 

[SnTMan]

I don't believe this is an age thing, its the way we are "wired".

Fact: You can scan over a paper document faster laying on your desk than on-screen (uh, the document is laying on your desk, not you) and see more of it better.

Fact: You can switch between or compare two or more paper documents faster and better than on-screen.

At my last job I checked drafting work fairly often and told the young, very computer savvy guys with good eyesight over and over "BEFORE you bring this back to me, print it out and LOOK AT IT." It didn't take, and and we spent lots of time chasing smaller and smaller errors.

Paper: There is NO substitute.

Regards,

Mike

 

[analogkid2digitalman]

Perhaps a potential application for electronic paper (epaper) would be to 'print' drafts out for proof reading without wasting real paper.



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"It's the questions that drive us"
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[rulljs]

Escuse the ignorance but what's a CRT??

 

[JAE]

Cathode Ray Tube

 

[Ashereng]

Your computer screen/monitor.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[epoisses]

CRT = The big box that takes most of the space on your desk, that beeps at you at 15.6 kHz (if you are under 25, above 25 your CRT suddenly becomes silent) and that comes in either green or amber font color. After a couple of months your WordPerfect status bar is burnt into it and dominates the view even when you use another program.
;-)
the good old days...

 

[dogleg43]

Regarding the term CRT, my wife once recently applied for a job as a bank teller and one of the test questions on the application was if she knew what a CRT is.

 

[Senselessticker]

Hmmm...was the banking looking the answer Charitable Remainder Trust perhaps?

 

[KENAT]

I'm 28, done all but a few minor amendments on CAD and all other documenation on Word/Excell etc.

I can't proof on the screen and have to print out. Flat screen helps some but I still miss a lot so for anything important print it out.

This is one of the things that gets me about paperless office or Model Based Definition, is it possible for most people to check/proof read drawings/documents this way?