So, I code my application forms to at least have the headings in bold, etc.
I'm sure I'm not the only one..

But what do you do if someone has followed the code BUT it looks completely different. Because somehow, they've managed to get their codes mixed up and crossed over - god knows how, as they have a template with labels and examples and everything...

Do you ask them to correct it, so they will learn, or do you do it yourself?

I'm currently looking at a bio that just came in, and my god. They somehow managed to get my neat lil form completely in bold up until the personality section. It's like WOAH. I want to fix it myself and let it go, but my head says, 'tell her'. I know this girl, from a few sites, and LJ. I'm sure she wouldn't mind me telling her...

But man. I am shocked.

While I'm here, may I ask, has anyone had any particularly strange coding come back on any apps? 'Cause mine have come back ( on different sites ) bolded, subbed, with tags in them - tags that aren't needed, quite often -, with bullet points in weird places, you name it.
I would stop using the codes, but it only happens every so often, and eventually they pick it up. Pretty much everyone else, bar a few people on each manages PERFECTLY, and says that the bios look nice and neat. I am at a loss, here.

I've encountered all sorts of elaborately coded applications, and to tell the truth I loathe them. I get annoyed when I have to worry about not messing up the coding and writing about my character. Luckily I have enough code knowledge not to screw up the list, sub, sup, bold, etc. codes, but it frustrates me and distracts me from the application.

When I provide a coded template for my applicants, all I do is bold the fields of entry. Example:

I find that to be sufficient. All I need the coding for is so there's a separation between what I'm asking and what the applicant is telling me. I don't need the profile to look pretty or be stylized. Simplicity is always the best policy when it comes to coding, in my opinion.

However...I have had people screw even that up! I used to get a lot of people who typed inside the code ender so that the entire application was in bold. I always pointed it out to them and asked them to fix it, especially since I'd included instructions for maneuvering the code in the template post. Don't feel bad about correcting them. They need to learn.

Yeah, I totally get that. Its just the bold stuff that I have on this particular board, and the response, even when provided with a how-to, was pretty lame. Like they didn't care... I know a lot of them are very capable from other boards..
I will correct her...

I agree, no harm in correcting someone on the code. They have to be able to handle the bold tags and basics of code to be able to function around the site, right? I also hate the really elaborate coding on apps though, so if this isn't the first person who's messed it up, maybe it's time to take a look at your profile to see if it's really out of hand?

They're only bold tags, and maybe like, 2 or 3 aligns... and those are for the main main headings.

I've had it where people will post their whole application in bold. But I think it's because they thought they were supposed to put their information in bold for some reason. That's why I usually post my application templates like this:

I do the same thing, Maloneis, normally in parentheses with an instruction to delete items in parentheses when posting...but then, of course, there are the people who forget to do that!

Cookies for you for not having a crazy coded profile set up. I just had to do one of those and I kept getting lost because there was so much code going on.

Just let her know what she did wrong and have her correct the coding if she can. It's really no big deal, and also a good test to see how she will react to being told things by the admin.

Ahh, yes. Yummy cookies. :p

I did that, she said she'd try and fix it, and she'd clear it with me before she edited it in. I'm cool with that idea.

ETA:

Whoaholycrap.
I just got a PM and its poifect. WOOTERS.

You see? This is why having simply coded applications is always best. There's less to f*** up. I try to keep it as simplistic as possible because otherwise you get distracted by trying to get all the codes right and furthermore, trying to keep them all in line. On the other side of the coin, you should always preview before posting--because this sort of thing CAN happen.

I don't often have an issue with code--if I do it's something accidentally deleted and I typically tag it onto the bottom of my application critique. If it still isn't fixed by the time we're happy with the application, I usually stick my hand into the application and fix it myself. I don't much care if they forget, but I like uniformity. At the same time however, I don't see it as a good enough reason to hold back an application.

What DOES annoy me is when people insist on adding their own super-awesome personal touch to the application so it looks nothing like the rest of the applications. THAT I make an example of, asking them to explain where their uncontrollable urge came from to rape my simple code with their randomly placed lyrics, large font and bizarre titles. Then I ask how it helps the application. If they can justify it then of course they can keep it.

>>

Yes, I did that once. Alas, I did not get a response. Honestly, I'm a nice woman...Just don't screw with my application, yo. XD

Instead of writing your code like this...

...you may want to try writing it like this:

That seems to help prevent coding problems. It's harder to split the code without that extra space and an ickle colon in the way.

Haha, Panda...your reaction to personal touches in apps is quite amusing. I've gotten to the point where I think of character apps/profiles like bedrooms. The members can decorate them as they like. Just so long as it has the info and I can read it, I don't care what they do.

I always wondered why you did that. Bugged the crap out of me. Haha!

Anyway, I think Panda was referring to the &&u*BER_{ridiculous__}^coding that some people insist on adding.

Really? I had no idea. It always seemed like a tidier way of doing things, to me. [/OCD]

As to the &&u*BER_{ridiculous__}^coding, I suppose I take that for granted because it's written in the site rules that we don't tolerate it. When I say 'decorate,' I mean add an image at the top and change header colors and the like. Anything else is unlawful.

Haha. Would you believe that on a few sites I HAVE put the colon on the other side of the tags, and it has STILL happened?

Also, I find that if I label my tags like

Members somehow find a way to delete the parentheses and THEN type in the tags, OR they type the name in the parentheses... often not capitalized, etc?!

WTF.