Reply #52: I think the tip-off is when you said you were not a prolific writer.

[The Backlash Cometh]

If you are a prolific writer, or if you're sneaking posts in during coffee breaks or first thing in the morning before heading to work, proofing is an extra step that many may not have the leisure time to do. And believe me, if you read something on this newsgroup that riles you, posting without proofing is better than starting your morning feeling like there was something you forgot to do.

In my case, I come up with my best ideas when I free associate and just allow the 10 fingers of fate the freedom to reign over my keyboard. I sometimes come back within the first hour of posting to proof, if I have time. The spell checker doesn't pick up everything, of course, because of homonyms, so it does take a fresh eye to pick up some of the mistakes. I don't know that many have my freedom to come and go that way.

I don't have a problem reading through a badly proofed piece, as long as the poster isn't taking jabs at other people's spelling errors, or isn't making a slight about somebody's lack of observation. That's because (a) I like to pick up clues about a person, and pay attention to how they write; and (b) because I know the quiet ones may have some of the best observations, and I don't want to discourage them from sharing them with us.