Re: Latitude-longitude vs latitude/longitude?

["techwrl-list-only -at- doitall -dot- com" <techwrl-list-only -at- doitall -dot- com>]

> JX wondered: <<I'm working on documentation that requires many references to
> latitude and longitude coordinates. Although in theory I could consistently
> refer to "latitude and longitude coordinates", we refer to them often, plus
> orally people say it with no "and". The dominant style around here is to
> attempt to write what people say in the form "latitude/longitude
> coordinates". But I don't like the way the slash looks...>>
> 
> First off, you've got a redundant phrase that would benefit from shortening.
> Latitude and longitude combined are by definition a location's coordinates,

Yes, if all locations are on the ground. I've seen a consumer "location
device" that includes another coordinate. Elevation/altitude is another type
of coordinate -- locations above or below *sea* level -- or above or below
*ground* level. Latitude, longitude, altitude. However, this product doesn't
use elevation, so that's just a theoretical consideration. :-)

> so there's no need to use the word "coordinates" at all--just say "latitude
> and longitude". For elegant variation, try saying "coordinates" and drop the
> "latitude and longitude" where the context is clear.

Thanks, Of the emails I've seen, I like that suggestion most for this
project. I'll think I'll go that direction for now.

Speaking to other people's comments about lat/long or latitude/longitude,
the slash just doesn't seem right to me. Maybe it's the look. Maybe also it
reads to my eyes as "latitude OR longitude" ...
 ... like he/she means "he or she"
 ... like and/or means "'and' or 'or'".

And of course "and" is the real meaning needed: latitude and longitude. If
anyone has any other comments about "/" constructions and their meaning as
"and" or "or", I'd like to hear them.

It is too bad I can't just say "coordinates", as that would read well. As I
mentioned in another email, we do use other coordinate systems also (pixel
coordinates and twips), so there'd be ambiguity.

Thanks for suggestions. Feel free to post more on this. I'll be watching.

Thanks,
    -- JX

P.S. Bummer that no one here so far liked the hyphen suggestion. :-) 


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