Language: Using i.e. versus e.g. - why, when?

I have a fascination for language. New words I find exciting and understanding the phonetic history and etymology of words is an insatiable source of curiousity for me.

This is one of the reasons the Lord of the Rings and the entirety of the works of Middle Earth struck me. It's why articles from the early part of the last century (some pulpy sci-fi, for instance) and things from even further back draw me in, despite simplicity of plot and sometimes the characters themselves.  They draw me in because of the language - different enough from the spoken word of today, yet cloyingly familiar. I find Broad Scots, Medeival English, and Latin all give me elements of that feeling as well.

I'm also amused and fascinated by the rules of grammar; The conventions of grammar are sometimes esoteric or opaque, but being educated into their mysteries means understanding the value in breaking them and when and where it makes sense to do so, as well as why!

One of the areas I've always had a bit of a fight with myself over (other than the correct spelling of guard... my trouble word of many years....) was when it was appropriate to use i.e. (id est) and when it was appropriate to use e.g. (exempli gratia).

Well, I wonder no more, thanks to the wonders (not to overuse a word) of Google. I have found a brilliant article that makes very clear the distinction in usage between i.e. ane e.g. and I think that I shall not confuse the two again because of it.

Perhaps you already know the distinction, or think you do, but I recommend you check out the link.

id est versus exempli gratia

The world is a wonderful place!