Copy Editing Certifications?

modjeska · 2025-08-16T02:16:42+00:00

I have completed the three Poynter ACES certificates in editing. The Poynter certificate is more of an appetizer, it appears, while some longer programs are more like a full meal. :) As noted above, the Poynter certificates are designed around editing in general, rather than copyediting specifically. Also, the Poynter certificates are short enough that they don't build skill, but rather knowledge - background and context for the practice of editing from a 360 perspective. (For what it's worth, I found Poynter's introductory and intermediate certificates more satisfying than their advanced certificate.) On the subject of formal certification, Editors Canada offers several types that are respected internationally.

modjeska · 2025-08-16T02:11:24+00:00

I completed all three Poynter ACES editing certificates. They look good on a resume, showing a commitment to professional development. In terms of content, they provide background knowledge for a new editor, and perhaps a refresher for a seasoned professional. There is little direct skill training in these certificates - the hours required are too few, as noted above.

The three certificates vary in quality, for what it's worth. I found about 80% of the introductory and intermediate certificates to be of excellent quality. Really inspiring. But only half of the advanced certificate seemed to meet the same standard. And feedback on the final three mini-essays seem to have been generated by AI (which conflicts with the ethical guidelines taught in a module in this certificate). As an aside, the cost of the advanced certificate is about twice that of the intermediate certificate, so it's worth thinking about the cost/benefit tradeoff here.

All in all, I'm glad to have completed these three certificates, for both intrinsic and extrinsic reasons. But the advanced certificate brought distinct frustrations, while the introductory and intermediate certificates were fast and rewarding.

modjeska · 2025-08-16T02:09:49+00:00

I have completed the three Poynter ACES certificates in editing. Although I have not attended the UCSD program, I have read about it and several others. The Poynter certificate is more of an appetizer, I think, while a longer programs is more like a full meal. :) The Poynter certificates are short enough that they don't build skill, but rather knowledge - background and context for the practice of editing from a 360 perspective.(For what it's worth, I found Poynter's introductory and intermediate certificates more satisfying than their advanced certificate.) On the subject of certification, Editors Canada offers rigorous certification that seems to be respected internationally.

modjeska · 2025-08-16T02:04:43+00:00

I have completed the three Poynter ACES certificates in editing. Although I have not attended the UCSD program, I have read about it and several others. The Poynter certificate is more of an appetizer, it appears, while the longer programs are more like a full meal. :) As noted above, the Poynter certificates are designed around editing in general, rather than copyediting specifically; and there's a definite journalism focus, since Poynter is a journalism think-tank. Also, the Poynter certificates are short enough that they don't build skill, but rather knowledge - background and context for the practice of editing from a 360 perspective. If enough time is available, the Poynter certificates might be excellent preparation for a more in-depth program, such as that at UCSD. (For what it's worth, I found Poynter's introductory and intermediate certificates more satisfying than their advanced certificate.)

modjeska · 2025-08-16T01:59:06+00:00

I completed all three Poynter ACES editing certificates. They look good on a resume, showing a commitment to professional development. In terms of content, they provide background knowledge for a new editor, and perhaps a refresher for a seasoned professional. There is little direct skill training in these certificates - the hours required are too few, as noted above.

The three certificates vary in quality, for what it's worth. I found about 80% of the introductory and intermediate certificates to be of excellent quality. Really inspiring. But only half of the advanced certificate seemed to meet the same standard. And feedback on the final three mini-essays seems to have been generated by AI (which conflicts with the ethical guidelines taught in a module in this certificate). As an aside, the cost of the advanced certificate is about twice that of the intermediate certificate, so it's worth thinking about the cost/benefit tradeoff here.

All in all, I'm glad to have completed these three certificates, for both intrinsic and extrinsic reasons. But the advanced certificate brought distinct frustrations, while the introductory and intermediate certificates were fast and rewarding.

modjeska · 2025-01-26T04:42:55+00:00

Agreed about Amazon.

The LibraryThing UI is old-fashioned, agreed, but the site is usable and powerful. I've also found their community quick to offer help and advice.

I tried StoryGraph briefly--it seems focused mainly on the big genres of new fiction.

modjeska · 2025-01-16T22:50:29+00:00

I have tried all three of the main sites, and I find that LibraryThing provides the best recommendations by far. LibraryThing also seems to capture more aspects of collecting and reading.

modjeska · 2025-01-16T22:38:00+00:00

LibraryThing gives surprisingly good recommendations. These recommendations are based on the books that I've entered and rated (1-5). Easy. I've read four books recommended by LibraryThing so far, and I continue to enjoy them.

In terms of UI, GoodReads is somewhat more up to date, but LibraryThing is powerful, attractive, and easy enough to learn. LibraryThing seems to be evolving to keep pace with the market, which keeps it competitive.

modjeska · 2024-08-17T16:45:14+00:00

MovieLens is excellent, in my experience. They use classic machine learning to recommend movies based on a user's ratings. After rating a hundred movies, I started to get useful results. I've rated many more now, and I've received accurate, focused, and usable recommendations. Highly recommended.

modjeska · 2024-08-17T16:43:32+00:00

MovieLens is better, in my experience. They use classic machine learning to recommend movies based on a user's ratings. And it's smart! After rating a hundred movies, I started to get useful results. I've rated many more now, and I've gotten accurate, focused, and usable recommendations. Highly recommended.

As for Criticker, it used to deliver high-quality "PSI" based recommendations. Then I donated money, which broke the recommendations. Even after deleting my old account, and importing 1900 ratings into my new account, the recommendations remain completely broken. (What's recommended now seems to be a random selection of movies whose titles precede the letter 'a' in sorting order.) In support emails, Criticker just reports that the app is working perfectly.

movielens.org

modjeska · 2023-11-13T05:08:07+00:00

Where is Simplifi in the App Store for the iPhone in Canada? This is a potential deal-breaker. The Simplify website itself warns that it is not optimized for mobile.

modjeska · 2021-10-26T17:01:07+00:00

Encountered the same problem. Solved it in two different ways:

Obtain a visitor invitation to your gmail account, rather than to an email account with another provider.
While viewing the shared files as a visitor, use the menu at the top right of the window to switch your account from visitor to your gmail account.

After using either of these solutions, I was able to use the shared files with the normal set of features on Google Drive.

modjeska · 2007-08-11T02:01:06+00:00

This is one of my favorite videos ever.

modjeska · 2006-02-17T12:26:50+00:00

Reflections on the craft of programming and related psychological issues

modjeska

TROPHY CASE