I suppose where it matters is when you have to read something several times until you understand what the person is trying to say, so in that respect using “were” instead of “we’re” or “where” and “there” instead of they’re” or “their” is just plain lazy IMO.
I’m crap at spelling myself on the whole though…

It looks like you have managed to spell yourself correctly on this occasion.

I once brought a book about stuff like this.

I really cannot understand this “brought” mistake that shed loads of people seem to make these days. Do these people actually say brought instead of bought in conversation?

A small minority are impeccable with their words – they tend to be engineers

I’m an engineer, but I always thought I was the odd one out being able to read and write reasonably well! Honestly most of my (very bright) colleagues can’t write for shit!