<p>dys2k6- I disagree. Americans need to learn proper grammar and spelling. I make occasional typos and mistakes, but I always make an effort to write in complete sentences, even when I’m online.</p>
<p>First off, Internet lingo helps express somewhat stronger emotions than what we normal people (as opposed to literary maestros) are capable of putting into written language.</p>
<p>Second, it provides a handy shortcut if, for some reason, we need to type with one hand.</p>
<p>Third, it provides people who can only type 60-70 wpm a way to converse at the regular rate (speaking is about 120 wpm).</p>
<p>That said, what appears on the Internet is best kept only on the Internet.</p>
<p>Now, onto 1337…I’ve posted this elsewhere, but I might as well repeat it (I didn’t provoke any interesting responses the other place I posted it anyway)…whatever leet may have been in its early days, it now has become the language of people who want to look computer-savvy but have no idea how to program. Leet now degrades your appearance in the tech field. Don’t use it.</p>
<p>Typing like “w00t w00t I r t3h kewl an u r teh st000p1d N00b” is just annoying.</p>