Richard, Chris...

In general I tent to agree with you about the correct use of English. The Internet and mobile telephones are, however, both responsible for abreviations for valid reasons.

In both cases there is a bandwidth issue which can be helped by the use of universally understood abreviations. For mobile phones it is possible to increase the amount of information sent in the allowed 160 characters and the Internet would be improved if the available bandwidth were better utilised.

Having said all that I continue to be astonished at the way our friends whose native language isn't English manage to convey their message.

Let those of us that are concerned about the declining standards in English use it correctly and thereby help rather than hinder those who are not concerned.

Regards (and getting off my high horse)
Derek L.G. Mason