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>I recently got into a debate about using two spaces or one space after a
>period in a Word document, being told to use only one space. At my last
>Technical Writing job my manager was adamant about using two spaces after a
>period, and I have become accustomed to using two spaces. How does
>everyone/anyone feel about this issue? Is there some sort of existing
>rule? One of the reasons given to me was that because more and more
>documents are converted to HTML or uploaded to the web in file
>repositories, space is an issue, hence single spacing.
My two cents:
If you are using non-proportional/monospaced fonts (like Courier) in
which every character has the same width, use two spaces after a
period.
If you are using proportional fonts (like Times or Helvetica) in which
characters have variable widths, use one space after a period.
People who insist on always using two spaces after a period tend to be
people who came of age in the typewriter era.
Computers running modern word processing or DTP software bear only a
superficial resemblance to typewriters. Don't follow old rules when
new technology makes them nonsensical.
Best regards.
--
Barry Campbell | Why people tear the seams of anyone's dreams
barry -at- webveranda -dot- com | is over my head... (Duke Ellington/Bob Russell,
40.77 N, 73.97 W | "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me")
