I think spell check would be great. I am such a terrible typist that often I must go back and edit for spelling after submitting an answer, or first type the response in Word and do spell check, then cut and paste. Because our typed words in this forum are our only means of communication, it is especially important to be able to relate them in an intelligible way. This doesn't seem to me the the right forum for IM code, either (u r so rt abt tat) , just because not everyone is familiar with it and it makes a message more difficult to read. I think it shows a lack of consideration/courtesy for others trying to wade through a post.

It seems to me that the majority of spelling problems are not due to those with English as second language users; it seems to me a great majority of poor spelling originates from laziness (using IM slang) or ignorance (just never learned how to spell).

Also British spelling of words doesn't bother me in the least. Most of those are use of "s/z" and "our/or" differences (recognise/recognize or labour/labor), and that small variation in spelling doesn't make the word unrecognizable or difficult to understand. Also, so many educational texts and novels are written with British spelling/the Queen's English, that it's fairly common to encounter these alternate but also proper/accurate spelling variations. One can at least still recognize it as the same language! :)

 In my limited teaching experience, I have found that the students who read more, spelled better. The more they saw words in print spelled correctly, the better they got at spelling.

 Yes, I care about spelling. Some is so bad it is incomprehensible. I don't claim to never make mistakes myself, but I try to get it right.
Some people say that English is difficult to spell, and maybe it is harder than some other languages, but enough of us get it right for me to believe that it is not beyond most people's ability.
I would like to see spell check in blurtit, but no doubt our USA cousins would jib at spelling colour with a u etc.

 I have to agree with amore. I am careful when it comes to my spelling. I often stop to look up words in the dictionary, and I do what amore does with Word, though I only type the word in question. I read what I've written before hitting that submit button, and then I go back and read it again. If I have to I'll edit my posting to correct spelling. Spell check would be wonderful.

 It seems to me that some people are spelling by sound because they are from a different culture and not familiar with the correct spelling. Some are jest doin what u r playing wit words.

 I don't know if it's one of you guys, but when I originally posted this question, I deliberately filled it with spelling mistakes, and each time I come back to read an answer I find someone has corrected it. I edited it back with lots of typos but hey presto they've all gone again the next day! What's going on? ;o)

 In some schools, they now allow "creative spelling" if the word is almost spelled correctly. My son has a learning difficulty and it was harder to break him of the "creative" habit than teaching him to spell correctly.

 I agree completely with you! I abhor all the bad grammar. It gets to the point where you can't even understand what a person is asking/answering/saying!