In communities of correspondence, such as the Web, the major basis for personal impression is one's presentation skills. Proper spelling, syntax, grammar, other mechanics, are the keys to providing that impression.
As much as we may protest, presentation is more important than what we actually have to say. The message, as wonderful, insightful, meaningful as it may be can be lost in a muddle of sloppy presentation. That's just the way people are.
Clear communication is the responsibility of the sender. There are rules, memes, to this game that are there to facilitate the clear transfer of ideas from sender to receiver. When those rules are violated, even when the meaning of the missive is clear, the impression of sloppiness conveys a lack of care, thus a lack of intellect, on the part of the sender and the reciever is apt to discount the ideas accordingly.
Webspeak is a further evolution (erosion?) of language with new memes for a new medium. Among longtime close associates Webspeak most often will not hinder dialogue since personal impressions have already been set (for better or worse). Even within this context the responsibility to effectively communicate is on the sender and the personal impression by the reciever of the sender is a vital component.
The new memes of Webspeak are still under construction and test as evidenced by this whole thread. Some of the "shortcuts," such as "I" instead of "I" or "you" in place of "you" are meeting resistance as detractores. "BTW" (by the way) and "IMO" (in my opinion) are two that have gained acceptance but only in informal use.
The upshot is that if you want to have good stnading in the comunity and have you'r ideas accepted with value you can't just say good stuff you gotta spell rite, use the write words and poofreed ur work so you look good to!
As alway, verbosely yours,
-P
