Re: [xml2rfc] Word enforcing 1 space between sentences

[Robert Moskowitz <[e-mail]>]

On 4/30/20 3:56 PM, Nico Williams wrote:
> On Tue, Apr 28, 2020 at 03:12:10PM -0400, Robert Moskowitz wrote:
>> I recently saw a fluff piece about MS Word now enforcing 1 space between
>> sentences.  If you put in 2 you get the terrible squiggly line (which you
>> can always turn off with a right-click, ignore all).
>>
>> The argument for single space is the font handles inter-sentence spacing
>> just fine as mono-spacing went out with the typewriter....
> This debate is a recurring one.  Opinions vary.
>
> IMO:
>
>   - Two spaces after sentence-ending periods function as markup that
>     distinguishes from non-sentence-ending periods and avoids the need
>     for either explicit markup or sentence-ending heuristics.
>
>     Editors should let me type two spaces to end sentences because that's
>     a damned common thing to do.  They can turn it into something else, I
>     don't care, as long as the intended purpose is served.
>
>   - Rendering such '.  ' as . and a wider space is perfectly fine and
>     desirable.
>
>> I wonder what it does if your font IS mono-space?
> I hope you get two spaces after the sentence-ending period.  Anything
> else would be a bug.
>
> Anyways, prepare for this to turn into a bit of a flame war, or for it
> to end with a reference to past ones.

I had my typing class in '64 (9th grade US) on a Royal manual 
typewriter.  You had to type at 40WPM after corrections to pass.  I 
still have my typing style guide with lots of things not done today.  2 
spaces after a sentence is a small one!  My  wife and I occasionally 
argue (she came through the program 4 years later and they had already 
changed business letter layouts).

I use to write for Network Computing Magazine (back in the mid-90s).  My 
editor and I reached an agreement that I typed as I learned and she 
changed it to the Mag's style guide.  Made for a much better 
interaction.  Of course I was the acronym king of the writers and she 
had a struggle figuring out which to expand and which to leave to the 
readers as I had a 500w budget and typically hit it on the head.

So in large measure I care little what they are teaching today and what 
styles are being enforced.  I will write as I do and if some editor 
enforces a style guide, have at it.

Have a good day!