This isn't reddit, you're not going to get downvoted for incorrect grammar or spelling. Anyone who has been on HN for a day can tell it's a multicultural environment and there are many non-native english speakers.

You shouldn't hold back your participation due to insecurities on your spelling or grammar. In my experience the only downvoted posts belong in the categories of; stupid, messaged which consist only of 'haha' or 'this'; Completely offtopic; Insulting or offensive; Incorrect.'

In this post I've probably used semi-colons incorrectly, this doesn't I will be downvoted because of it.