Earlier this week I wrote here about the mistake of posting a blog entry without proofreading, and I discussed how important proofreading was in all communications. So, imagine my dismay when I just sent an email meant for one member of an elist to the whole group. Fortunately there was nothing in my email that I wouldn’t have said to anyone in the group, but my mistake was just embarrassing, having just said ON list that I would email the person OFFlist about something she’d asked.

Which brings up an important point, related to the topic of proofreading. Anything you say in an email is, in a way, just like anything you say in a blog – potentially very very public. Even an email to just one other person can be forwarded – usually with no malice or ill-intent. Just as we forward jokes and fun stuff, we also sometimes forward things which might be of interest professionally.

Anyway, I digress. If you have anything to say which you don’t want other people to read, don’t say it in an email (or, for that matter, on your blog). Be careful what you say, and how, because it can be misread – by the person you’re emailing and by other people too. If it really is private or personal, use another form of communication.

I don’t think my misdirected email offended anyone, but I still wish I’d changed the recipient field before I hit send, because now I feel a little silly. Silly Sally, that’s me.

Oh, before I go – another sighting of Pemberthy has been reported. Robyn from Adelaide emailed to say she has a copy. Thanks, Robyn – this is the first report from South Australia, so I’m happy. The new dot is the nice purple one on the South Coast.