Thanks to Gawker for pointing out our error. They're getting back at us for pointing out that they had a typo once (also since corrected: don't you love the Internet?) in a post making fun of another typo in a Craigslist ad.

How does one become a better--or for that matter, just a--proofreader? I asked two ladies in the know:

"First, perhaps, imagine every possible kind of error--in type and design," advises proofer Abigail Winograd. "Then, make a commitment to finding the errors you've imagined. There's more to it than that, though. It may help to be a little depressed, and it surely helps to have obsessive-compulsive tendencies. It doesn't hurt to derive enjoyment from finding fault in others because what you want to do is find fault--every possible fault--in the work, which you can think of as an other of sorts.

"On a practical level, you must train the eye to look at the page. If you find an error in a sentence and stop to correct it or write a query about it, reread the sentence before you continue. While you were focusing on the error you found, you might have missed another error in the sentence.

"If you are doing a traditional cross-read, reading printed copy against foul manuscript, use two hands. That is (assuming you are right-handed), place the foul manuscript on your left and the new copy on your right, and follow the text with the index finger of your left hand and the point of a pencil held in your right hand. But don't just move your hands along. The eye has to read the foul copy and then the same text in the new copy. That's exceedingly boring, but it doesn't do any good to read the foul copy and move your pencil point along the new copy--although that is what most of us do instinctively. So, again, you must train the eye to look at every word, once in the foul copy and again in the new copy.

"Finally, doubt yourself. If you've been reading a chapter on French politics and catch Mitterrand spelled Mitterand, do not assume that that is the first time it's been misspelled. Go back and check every other occurrence of the name. The same goes for any other recurring item. If you are halfway through a chapter when you find an error in the running head, go back and recheck every other occurrence. And don't assume that you know how to spell a word or a name. Just because it looks right doesn't mean it is right. Use a dictionary. (I treasure my subscription to Merriam-Webster Online.) Be especially vigilant about the spelling of compound words."

Some people are made for proofing, but that doesn't mean that a good editor and writer can't pick up the skills. "It seems to me that this is one of those skills you either have a knack for or you don't. Of course, you can go from an eagle-eyed common reader to a proofing pro by studying Chicago and/or AP. But if you just don't have a good eye, I'm not sure that's something that can be developed," says Jessica Hoffman.

Now how about getting a proofreading job? "If you're starting out new and cold, consider taking proofreading tests, but be sure that the organizations giving the tests are reputable (avoid agencies; look for publishing houses that employ freelancers directly)," says Winograd. "Respond to postings on mediabistro and other online job sites. If you have your heart set on working exclusively at home, rethink your plan. You are likely to learn more in a few months or a year in-house than you could working exclusively at home for ten years; you will make valuable contacts, and you will get experience that you can parlay into a lifetime of freelance jobs."\

"Proofreading is a skill-based field. Having some proofing experience on your resume will get your resume noticed, but performing well on proofing tests is, in my experience, the only way to actually get work in the field. If editors like what they see on my resume, they send me a proofreading test, which I'm expected to take on spec. If they like what they see on the test, they call or e-mail with a job.

Most of my clients review proofers' work each time a job is turned in and decide to give us more assignments -- or not -- based on our most recent performance. Good proofreaders seem to be hard to find, so there's plenty of work available for folks who consistently do the job well," says Hoffman.