Originally Posted By: Nate1979
I hope no one cares about these minor details when posting on internet boards. Typing on a smart phone is not easy (fat thumbs) along with autocorrect. As long as the message gets across there is no need for exact spelling and punctuation.
OMG. LOL. IMO.
People should care. When you write, especially on an Internet board, it expresses your thought process for the entire world to see. Proper grammar and spelling help you to be understood and clearly express your thoughts and ideas. It also makes what you have to say much more credible; if you are attempting to build a reputation, good grammar and spelling are critical skills.
Good grammar and spelling also tell the reader that you are educated enough and care enough about the subject that you are discussing to take the time to make your thoughts readable, and your opinion clear.
While you do have a choice, you lose credibility and appear ignorant when your writing is sloppy and done in "smart phone" style. You can choose to appear to be of the "LOL, OMG or IMO" mentality, or you can choose to make your thoughts clearly understood to the reader. That choice is never a "minor" detail.