I'd just like to reiterate that my personal point of view is that grammar is important when it affects understanding - if a post uses incorrect grammar, but is unambiguous and understandable, I'll still read it, but when I have to read it a few times and then guess what is meant, I'll tend to ignore the content. Of course you can be totally ambiguous with correct grammar too.
I also stand by my point that when posting in ones' professional capacity, it is worth making sure that the post is correct - it's just good business sense. Why else would every company have a lawyer draw up their terms and conditions? Because it can cost money (or lose the chance to make money) to make mistakes.
BlackSpinner wrote:If you drive a car you should be able to service it. Or at least drive it with the same perfection you expect of people who are having a written conversation. Perfection in all parts of your life. Language is a living thing and only in the last 200 years have we tried to lock it down. Shakespeare sure doesn't meet your criteria.
The only grammar and spelling that really counts is in SQL queries or code. And even that changes every few years.
You're 100% correct - Shakespear doesn't meet my criteria - I have never been able to understand what the hell he is talking about, and so I'll quite happily live the rest of my life without re-reading any of his works.
And I can service my own car, and have overhauled more than one engine too. My driving, while not perfect (neither is my English, but then I never said that it was, for some reason you decided that I require perfection), is effective - I get to where I plan to, usually on time and almost always without mishap. And that is all I ask of a post - that it is effective. And if your grammar is poor, there is a good chance that your post will be less understandable and therefore less effective.
We could argue with each other forever, and neither side is likely to change their point of view, so I'll respect your right to your opinion, even if I disagree with your passion for perfection. We've taken this thread far enough off-topic, so I'm leaving it now, but am quite happy to carry on swapping points of view privately if anyone wishes.
