Should editing posts be allowed ?

[Archive]

Posted By: Eric Brehm

Editing should be allowed, yes, as it is often needed to correct spelling or grammar, or to clarify a question or comment, or to modify card scans that have been inserted. It is not a good idea, however, to edit language that fundamentally changes the meaning of a post, as that is not fair to those who responded to it, and could disrupt the flow of thinking in a thread. For example, if someone reads an entire thread after it is created, they may not understand why Member B said something in response to something else that Member A originally said, but then changed or deleted after the fact.

If you change your mind about something you have posted, perhaps based on some of the responses you have received, it is better to add a new post stating your new opinion, rather than going back and changing the original post. Again this is so the flow of logic within the thread makes sense to readers.

Giving a reason for an edit can be helpful, such as "editing for spelling," or "edited for clarity," or "edited to remove unnecessary and superfluous inflammatory language that I would not have typed if I had not just had four beers."

edited for clarity