Retired thief

[PickPick]

I think that in many cases non-native speakers have a better spelling. This is due to the fact that they know they aren't perfect so they actually think about what they're writing, whether the grammar is correct, maybe check the spelling of an unusual word and so on.
While a lot of the natives think they don't have to do that because after all, they know the english language or at least they think they do. Which leads us to the problem that some of our newbies, especially the younger ones, appear even more retarded than they already are.
And if people fill out their location so you can see they're not native speakers they're usually given some slack. But when you can see from the start that they don't give a four letter word about their spelling and everything, then they shouldn't expect answers. At least not friendly ones.

[Exodus5000]

It's kind of a double edged sword. This is the only medium that we communicate with on this forum, so spelling should be half decent. However I don't want this forum to degrade into a spelling contest either.

I guess as long as it's legible and looks like the author took some time to write, if not at least proof read once, then i'm fine with it. I'll use my posts as an example. I make spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes all the time. I try not to, but truth be told im not about to look up if my direct subject is a gerund or not or things of the sort. I type in a relaxed conversational manner, it's not by any means scholar material but it's acceptable.

[Pickey]

I have great spelling and grammar.
Yeah, that's right...im proud

[Kwikset]

I definitely take the time to spell correctly and have decent grammar. I think we are viewed as who we are thru what we write, and if we want to be treated that way, we should make the effort. I'm all for abbreviations, and writing "thru" instead of "through" ect. I think a relaxed nature is fine, but definitely at least make an effort.

I use the Firefox browser, which has a neat little box that links to Dictionary.com. If I ever am unsure about a word, just type it in there, and away you go. I use that a decent amount also. I used it for "abbreviations", and I'm happy to report that I had it spelled right the first time.

Anyhow, with "kids these days" writing horrible papers, and not being able to carry on intelligent conversations, because they get so used to communicating on the internet, I at least try to write well.

[Pickey]

I don't think it has anything to do with the internet...i think the younger generations are just getting dumber and dumber

[toomush2drink]

I definitely take the time to spell correctly and have decent grammar. I think we are viewed as who we are thru what we write, and if we want to be treated that way, we should make the effort. I'm all for abbreviations, and writing "thru" instead of "through" ect. I think a relaxed nature is fine, but definitely at least make an effort.

And it was at this point that kwikset wished there was an edit button.

Did you mean to say "etc" not "ect" (only kidding)

[Pickey]

lol
Hey... everybody gets the occassional typo

[toomush2drink]

I know what you mean pickey but to get it wrong after saying you take the time to spell properly is a classic

[Pickey]

lol... true true

[Kwikset]

Haha. I can't believe that actually happened. I was going to write a little note at the end stating that I better read this post extra carefully, as I stated all this...

Well, as you can see, I didn't check it extra carefully... Though I did check my spelling on "abbreviation" like 3 times just to make sure I got it right.

You mean it's not pronounced "ekteterra"??

[Pickey]

hehe http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=etcetera

[Pickey]

Lol in that link above..if you click on the blue etc. link it'll come up with a pronunciation option you can click on

[toomush2drink]

These things always happen like that just like when someone asks you to open a lock and you go on about easy this particular lock is and then you cant get it open

[NikonGuy]

However I don't want this forum to degrade into a spelling contest either.

Hear, hear. Far too often, the signal-to-noise ratio in many forum makes following a thread very tricky. One needs to weed through the noise to get to "the good stuff."

I try not to, but truth be told im not about to look up if my direct subject is a gerund or not or things of the sort.

Flashbacks to grade school! I actually had to look up "gerund" to remember just what-in-the-heck it was.

I type in a relaxed conversational manner, it's not by any means scholar material but it's acceptable.

Forum threads are certainly more relaxed than stuffy conference proceedings. In fact, given that many of us have high speed connections to the Internet both at home and work/school, we tend to "talk" to one another through threads. Not quite the Internet Relay Chat, but effective just the same.

[YelseW]

Master theif, could you please give me a link or describe how I could pass this "master pin." I have searched through many forums and googled it but no results. Thanks a lot.