The power of the Internet - Google map misinformation

[DaveS]

And as a comment on the Google issue, have you not thought that many words are spelled differently in the USA and this may simply be an American version of the name.

Hmm, USA / UK different versions of Scots Gaelic spelling? As an Irish pal of mine would say, "Sure, 'tis a theory..."

[bosun higgs]

And as a comment on the Google issue, have you not thought that many words are spelled differently in the USA and this may simply be an American version of the name.

Hmm, USA / UK different versions of Scots Gaelic spelling? As an Irish pal of mine would say, "Sure, 'tis a theory..."

Well, if they can butcher English, why not Gaelic?

[bosun higgs]

I'm an Englishman living in south wales Markie, and I agree with your general sentiments. It's good that the Welsh language is prospering down here and I'm happy ( unlike a lot of South Walians) to see bilingual signposts, council tax notices, driving licenses etc. So I've nothing at all against the encouragement of Scots Gaelic.

But the language of the UK is English and more importantly the universal lingua franca for seamen is English, so I think its potentially dangerous to suddenly change to Gaelic only on charts. Not only that but just like Welsh, it isnt an easily pronounced language so the potential for problems is significant. How about a Chinese deck officer trying to say a Gaelic place name over a bad radio connection to a non Gaelic speaking coastguard. Or a Polish yottie calling for help.

I said earlier I dont know whether the UKHO have gone the whole hog but if they have I think its dangerous pandering to the SNP.

[Mark]

Google Maps seem to have mispelled Loch Iubhair (loch of the yew tree), near Crianlarich, as " Loch Lubhair" (loch of the windae shutters, perhaps?). It doesn't seem to be possible to contact them about the error, which probably helps to explain why Google now list over a thousand links to the loch with the incorrect spelling.
A minor issue perhaps, but what with the medium being the message and stuff, Google has got enormous power to make facts, and change truth into fiction.

Astoundingly I've just noticed that Google Terrain have identified Fan Fawr as Craig Cerrig-gleisiad.

In fact Craig Cerrig-gleisiad is SN960218 and Fan Fawr is where Google claim Craig Cerrig-gleisiad is.

It as if someone's copied it out by hand. (Easy to make that mistake if you were.)

[Mark]

Google Maps seem to have mispelled Loch Iubhair (loch of the yew tree), near Crianlarich, as " Loch Lubhair" (loch of the windae shutters, perhaps?). It doesn't seem to be possible to contact them about the error, which probably helps to explain why Google now list over a thousand links to the loch with the incorrect spelling.

A minor issue perhaps, but what with the medium being the message and stuff, Google has got enormous power to make facts, and change truth into fiction.

I was reminded of this post by this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12558741

[Julian]

It's free. .........

don`t quite think that was the point being made, old chap

Think he just wants to fight again rather than consider an interesting point.

To the OP, it is much alike wiki; A fine resource to obtain an outline, discography, obituary etc. But for anything serious you would be moronic to quote it as gospel. But it can get you to a good starting point research wise.

The trouble is, most of the population are thick as fornication, or at least this has been my assumption for a while... they take their facts from wikis and the daily mail, they lazy think their way through life and scribe to forums with the grammar of a seven year old child. Google and ilk has probably increased their meagre knowledge from laughable to village idiot. So the odd mistake is maybe a price worth paying if the plebs are gaining some knowledge through the back door so to speak.

[Alan_D]

Think he just wants to fight again rather than consider an interesting point.

To the OP, it is much alike wiki; A fine resource to obtain an outline, discography, obituary etc. But for anything serious you would be moronic to quote it as gospel. But it can get you to a good starting point research wise.

The trouble is, most of the population are thick as fornication, or at least this has been my assumption for a while... they take their facts from wikis and the daily mail, they lazy think their way through life and scribe to forums with the grammar of a seven year old child. Google and ilk has probably increased their meagre knowledge from laughable to village idiot. So the odd mistake is maybe a price worth paying if the plebs are gaining some knowledge through the back door so to speak.

If one is going to mount one's high horse it is best to ensure that the harness is properly arranged and the saddle-girth tightened.

In particular:
like and alike are not synonyms
an initial capital does not follow a semicolon or the stop in etc.
wiki is a technology for creating collaborative websites; from the context you seem to mean Wikipedia
Daily Mail should have initial capitals, whatever one might think of its content
Did you mean lazy-think or lazily think?
Are you sure about "... scribe to forums ..."?
I suggest you check the meaning of "ilk" before you next use the word.

HTH

[Julian]

If one is going to mount one's high horse it is best to ensure that the harness is properly arranged and the saddle-girth tightened.

In particular:
like and alike are not synonyms
an initial capital does not follow a semicolon or the stop in etc.
wiki is a technology for creating collaborative websites; from the context you seem to mean Wikipedia
Daily Mail should have initial capitals, whatever one might think of its content
Did you mean lazy-think or lazily think?
Are you sure about "... scribe to forums ..."?
I suggest you check the meaning of "ilk" before you next use the word.

HTH

Do you feel better now, big smile on your face, do you think you won that one? I have to congratulate you on on finding the world's weakest argument, I feel suitably chastised and rightly so.

I do wonder why you chose to make my post your personal crusade to attack me, or was it a case of any excuse to show off your gloating priggish personality?

[Mark]

I do wonder why you chose to make my post your personal crusade to attack me

I think Alan got out of bed on the wrong side yesterday. He certainly didn't like me describing plutonium as a resource! Bless him.

[Arghiro]

There you go Julian, it isn't just me - the whole world is out to get you!

I wouldn't give it too much credence tho' there's little entertainment value in pedancy is there? Sounds like a frustrated schoolmarm to me, desperate to score against a colleague who at least posted a considered effort.

Blow that whistle, call the forum Police. A post has been found wanting in Grammar/ Punctuation - or whatever. Shock - Horror; revelations! Not really.

Please - if anyone wishes to draw attention to petty posting errors, can you at least make it marginally entertaining.

[Alan_D]

Blow that whistle, call the forum Police. A post has been found wanting in Grammar/ Punctuation - or whatever. Shock - Horror; revelations! Not really.

You seem to have missed the point; in general I share your distaste for people who jump on small errors of grammar or spelling (but not errors of fact -that's different, Mark). Julian wrote:

The trouble is, most of the population are thick as fornication, or at least this has been my assumption for a while... they take their facts from wikis and the daily mail, they lazy think their way through life and scribe to forums with the grammar of a seven year old child.

That's why I said

If one is going to mount one's high horse it is best to ensure that the harness is properly arranged and the saddle-girth tightened.

Or if that is too subtle, people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

[Nick]

.
I liked

they lazy think their way through life and scribe to forums

- perfectly acceptable construction, but then what do I know - I'm an English teacher

[Silkie]

Blow that whistle, call the forum Police. A post has been found wanting in Grammar/ Punctuation - or whatever. Shock - Horror; revelations! Not really.

You seem to have missed the point; in general I share your distaste for people who jump on small errors of grammar or spelling (but not errors of fact -that's different, Mark). Julian wrote:

The trouble is, most of the population are thick as fornication, or at least this has been my assumption for a while... they take their facts from wikis and the daily mail, they lazy think their way through life and scribe to forums with the grammar of a seven year old child.

That's why I said

If one is going to mount one's high horse it is best to ensure that the harness is properly arranged and the saddle-girth tightened.

Or if that is too subtle, people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

[Telo]

Jeeze, I'm sorry I started this. I'm awa' tae chuck stanes at the Lounge windaes....

[Silkie]

there's little entertainment value in pedancy is there?

[pedant]I think you mean pedantry[/pedant]

Surprised I beat Alan to this one.