From: Steve Shaw
"As I thought I had made clear, I am in favour of words which can be used which convey clearly an individual meaning."
But I see you're fine with the owld muddle between "alternative" and "alternate..."
The biter bit...

And:
From: David Carter (UK)
Steve pointed out Nigel's error already, but people who do not know the difference between alternate and alternative really annoy me. One or two TV presenters are guilty of this.

As Steve Shaw seems happy (most of the time) to play fast-and-loose with the English language, but considers himself an expert (a "Well-educated scientist"). I'm surprised that he's unaware that the US usage of 'alternate' is slowly becoming accepted in English.

According to Oxford dictionaries (who I would trust more than Steve Shaw):
In American usage, however, alternate can also be used to mean ‘available as another choice’, for example:
An alternate plan called for construction to begin immediately rather than waiting for spring.
This American use of alternate is still regarded as incorrect by many people in Britain.