>Ever noticed that programmers often spell "lose" as "loose"?
>
>Does this tendency characterise:
>(1) FB programmers only
>(2) all programmers
>(3) all English-literate people
>(4) other?
>
>Robert P.

Robert P.:

More importantly, why is it something that you notice? And, not just 
specifically you, but why is this something that everyone is becoming 
more sensitive in noticing?

I think that noticing specifics like this are becoming more 
commonplace because we are communicating more in this text medium 
than ever before. Sure, writers and people who use the pen for work 
in reporting news or publishing are more skilled at text 
communications and thus establish and comply with the "rules" more 
than we layman (programmers included). But now, we via email enter 
into this text medium of communication on a daily basis -- some even 
more than speech. As a result, we start noticing the difference 
between sounds and spelling. We start distinguishing between "there" 
and "their". We become more sensitive to "your" and" you're" as well 
as "it's" and "its". The "loose" vs "lose" thing is just another step 
in the evolution of how to write well*.

I think you're just going to have to admit that by noticing such 
things, we are just becoming better writers.

BTW - I find it fascinating that personalities often emerge from the 
prose. Many of you I can identify by just your writing style (Jim, 
bb, gnome, STAZ, et al). Interesting huh?

tedd

* I'm still trying to figure out the using "well" vs. "good" thing myself.