I don't spend a lot of time editing my posts for spelling and punctuation. I'm guessing I average one or two errors per post. There is also no shortage of bad sentences - my common errors are run-on sentences, fragmented sentences, and the like.

That said, I'm careful to communicate in a way I'll be understood. This is so I don't waste my time - I want my position to be clear (unlike some) and out of consideration for the reader.

After 13 years or so of arguing on the internet, my experience has been that the accepted convention is minor errors are overlooked because they don't cause someone to have to work to figure out what the other is saying. Major problems get in the way of the discussion. If I have to read something three times to figure out what's on someone's mind...

The little tiff between two of our loveliest members brought a few things to mind. First, the OP's post was only a story, so I think the complaint about the grammar and usage was genuine. When there's a heated debate and my opponet(s) begin complaining about my minor spelling errors, that indicates they have no other way to defang my position and avoid being eaten alive. In the thread in question, there was no such motivation.

Second, in some of the responses I saw some troubling thought processes. While there may be something to be said about publically criticizing someone, the belief that a person has to be perfect before being in a position to call for higher standards is not constructive.

Third, the one who loses the most when they write in a way that is difficult or impossible to understand is the one who isn't understood.

I repress the urge to correct others' spelling on a daily basis because it seems that less people want to be corrected (and learn) than want to get offended by the fact that someone would correct them. I think people assume that someone correcting them is trying to take a position of superiority or something. It's a shame because there are people, particularly people whose first language isn't English, who do actually want to learn and would appreciate the corrections.

Firefox's built in spell-checker is very cool (though it has its flaws too).

Personally, I would hope if I made an error that prevents my point of view getting across that someone would point it out to me. The thought of looking ignorant and having people look down at me for bad grammar and spelling is something I dread.

If I have made an error it is most likely because I am not aware of that error to begin with (obviously not slips of the finger, but sentence structure and the like) so please, pull me up on it.

My biggest gripes are you're vs your and their vs there vs they're.
I am surprised more people don't feel ashamed about using a written medium and not having a basic grasp of the English language. Especially when it is a forum in a English speaking country.

Well, at least the non American forums I am on

I may not be perfect and I certainly don't always have perfect grammar and spelling. But I fail to see why that should prevent others trying to try and use correct grammar. To be honest I would like to think that people had more self respect and if they did something wrong and it was pointed out they would try and fix it not sit there going "Yeah, and? So what. You'se isn't yourself perfect!"

I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses, but obviously Americans are the biggest culprit of poor English. This is because of the failure of our government school system. Notice that there are several regulars here who use English as a second language, and their command of the English language is superior to that of some Americans who know nothing but English.

The problem is no one sets the standard. Students are allowed to advance without mastering basic skills. Teacher's achievement is measured by how many students graduate, not how well they've mastered things like writing. There is also the factor that for many Americans, they don't feel they have to be careful typing on the internet.

I see people's writing every day and it's horrible. Americans are being cheated and they're too complacent to do anything about it.