[RAILhead]

Originally Posted by boots 

Nope, they didn't kill it. But the reason for one space being accepted is because of justification, not because two spaces is stylistically wrong. If it's not justified or type set, two spaces are fine.

Killed may have been strong, but you seem to have ignored the whole first paragraph. Further searching will also show that using 2 spaces with non-monospaced fonts is quite frowned upon. Cripes, I can't believe people still think it's acceptable -- but what else can one expect from a world where "irregardless" is now considered a word?

[Faust]

Originally Posted by Koralatov 

Okay, so I know I just spouted off about how I don't want to be a sanctimonious ass, but I thought that comment really needed to be preserved for posterity in case you noticed it and corrected it.

My apologies, but I really couldn't resist.

Edit: And after a quick look at the Dictionary in OSX, I now look like a total ass. I didn't realise that "pert" could also mean "impudent".

So often the way, isn't it.

I think it's completely irrelevant how someone writes. I am not trying to come off as overly politically correct, though it may sound that way. It's just what I happen to think on the matter and I have read linguistics at Uni for a couple of years, so it's not so much my being indifferent towards the matter. It's just more of a hassle to feel bothered by it, unless someone really jumps the shark with their grammatic wrenches. I've yet to come across a particularly horrid example of that here though. I may have missed it which is likely as I only surf two or three sections of these forums.

[Doofy]

Huh huh huh huh... you said "pert"... huh huh.

[Jawbone54]

What is with the whole "MAC" thing, anyway? I don't know where people get it.

[Chuckit]

I think it's because so many short computer terms are acronyms (or similar) — RAM, CD-ROM, CPU, PC, PCI, MB, GB, MHz, yada yada yada. Also, MAC is the name of a famous company, which probably doesn't help things.

[Faust]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Huh huh huh huh... you said "pert"... huh huh.

Another example is the breasts' photograph in your signature. They do look quite pert too. They could be friendlier looking, kinder as a whole. The left one in particular.

[boots]

Originally Posted by RAILhead 

Cripes, I can't believe people still think it's acceptable -- but what else can one expect from a world where "irregardless" is now considered a word?

You are ignoring the last...it's fine unless otherwise instructed. So, it's still considered acceptable. Of course, it hasn't been that long since it's been considered acceptable to do just one space. When I was going through college, it was still two. So you're condescending tone is a bit misplaced. Had any of my various editors actually said word one to me, I might have been clued in. But none of them have, so MLA says it's fine (as per the last paragraph).

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Faust 

Another example is the breasts' photograph in your signature. They do look quite pert too. They could be friendlier looking, kinder as a whole. The left one in particular.

I like my breasts to be aggressive.

But don't blame me. Blame Romania. It's their fault. I wash my hands of the whole situation.

[Doofy]

So anyways. Have we come to a decision on whether we can kill/maim newbies yet?

[boots]

Yes, and yes/yes.

[RAILhead]

Originally Posted by boots 

You are ignoring the last...it's fine unless otherwise instructed. So, it's still considered acceptable. Of course, it hasn't been that long since it's been considered acceptable to do just one space. When I was going through college, it was still two. So you're condescending tone is a bit misplaced. Had any of my various editors actually said word one to me, I might have been clued in. But none of them have, so MLA says it's fine (as per the last paragraph).

Much like irregardless is now fine -- which it isn't.

Many of us old timers remember when there were strict usages, and many of us try and maintain those same standards -- and the double space is one that a lot of us still fight over. Again, if you and your "editors" would do some research, you'd all see that double-spaces are considered signs of sloppiness in our non monospaced world.

So while it may be "acceptable," that doesn't mean it's right. History of the reason for double spaces shows why we should no longer use them, but most people can't be bothered with researching sources nowadays.

[boots]

Originally Posted by RAILhead 

.

So while it may be "acceptable," that doesn't mean it's right. History of the reason for double spaces shows why we should no longer use them, but most people can't be bothered with researching sources nowadays.

Whatever. People can read the style guides and see that your being a pedantic ... something or other... and are actually wrong in being so. So long as I continue to publish, I'll listen to my "editors," not some schmo on a bulletin board who appointed himself grammar and style Nazi. And I'll let my "editors" know that they're sloppy. They'll get a kick out of that.

[Railroader]

If we aren't winnowing the chaff from the grain, who will.

Seriously, double spaces are out? This is going to take a loooooooong time for me to stop doing. Even now, I am double tapping the space barr after every period. How annoying!

I can't stand it when people don't capitalize the first letter of a sentence, but obviously use the shift key later in their post. [DAMN DOUBLE SPACE AFTER PERIOD HABIT!!!] Why so lazy? Yes, this means you demonhood.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by boots 

Whatever. People can read the style guides and see that your being a pedantic ... something or other... and are actually wrong in being so. So long as I continue to publish, I'll listen to my "editors," not some schmo on a bulletin board who appointed himself grammar and style Nazi. And I'll let my "editors" know that they're sloppy. They'll get a kick out of that.

As an editor, I'd just like to weigh in: Don't put two spaces. Or tabs. Or forced line breaks. Or any other attempt to second-guess the computer's attempts at automatically formatting your text.

Here's a randomly Googled reference that backs me up.

[Photocro]

Compared to Navy boot camp and two tours in Vietnam you guys are cup cakes. Gimme a break. You ought to be a moderator on a digital photography forum when all who shoot digital think they're Ansel Adams. Just a thought. Don't hurt my feelings.

Actually, I haven't found you folks to be that tough. I think tough is a matter of thought given to a need expressed in a question on forums. So many repeats of the same need. When I landed here I got straight answers. Some I had to think about, but, the answers were right on once I steadied myself and put two and two together. As in all forums there are many who know less than they verbalize. That's to be expected.

This forum has been a great help in that many of the questions I had were already answered in previous posts. The ones I could not find in a search were readily answered by members.

Thanks for being there. You allowed my coming back to Mac from PC to be smoother than it otherwise would have been. Great group of admins and mods here

I think that the difference of MAC vs Mac should be thrown out though. Who the heck cares. Just respond kindly. Apple vs apple.

[IceEnclosure]

From my first posts in 2001, particularly in the various computer-related sub forums of 'nn, I tried my best to provide all details I could regarding any problems I was having. I found it helped others provide me with better/faster answers to my questions.

I also know that Mac doesn't stand for anything, and that it's simply short for "Macintosh". Because I went to high school(hell, middle school even), I knew it wasn't an acronym.

Aside from learning disabilities or somesuch there's no excuse to type like a reject. First impressions and all that.

Burn the newbs.

[RAILhead]

Originally Posted by boots 

Whatever. People can read the style guides and see that your being a pedantic ... something or other... and are actually wrong in being so. So long as I continue to publish, I'll listen to my "editors," not some schmo on a bulletin board who appointed himself grammar and style Nazi. And I'll let my "editors" know that they're sloppy. They'll get a kick out of that.

Yeah, I'll admit that I don't have a career as an editor — just 6 years working at the Ft Worth Star Telegram doing (wait for it...) copy editing.

[macintologist]

It's amazing how many forum vets from 2002 and before are posting in this thread.

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by macintologist 

It's amazing how many forum vets from 2002 and before are posting in this thread.

Your point being?

[RAILhead]

I would also like to ask Boots and his/her "editors" to try a little experiment. Head down to your local library or book store, and grab, say, 50 books off the shelf as randomly as humanly possible. Scan through them and look to see how many consistently use double spaces after punctuation and report back.

Be sure to keep us all informed on how you and your editors are doing regarding usurping McGraw, Harper, Del, etc...

[macintologist]

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

Your point being?

That you're a jerk, n00b

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

As an editor, I'd just like to weigh in: Don't put two spaces. Or tabs. Or forced line breaks. Or any other attempt to second-guess the computer's attempts at automatically formatting your text.

Here's a randomly Googled reference that backs me up.

I hate when people try to force formatting instead of using the correct tools. Often I have to print and display what others have typed and I always ask for "raw text please". What I get is something riddles with tabs, page breaks, line breaks, and multiple spaces. I spend more time eliminating those than I do putting the text into a document.

This double-space thing is killing me.

[chris v]

Originally Posted by Railroader 

I hate when people try to force formatting instead of using the correct tools. Often I have to print and display what others have typed and I always ask for "raw text please". What I get is something riddles with tabs, page breaks, line breaks, and multiple spaces. I spend more time eliminating those than I do putting the text into a document.

This double-space thing is killing me.

Try Textsoap? I've used it on the occasional emailed article when doing magazine layout, and found it useful.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by chris v 

Try Textsoap? I've used it on the occasional emailed article when doing magazine layout, and found it useful.

Thank you. To show my appreciation, I will dedicate my next post to you.

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by Railroader 

Thank you. To show my appreciation, I will dedicate my next post to you.

No threads about members

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

No threads about members

No thread, just a post.

[Peter]

Yes. You are.

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by Railroader 

No thread, just a post.

Oh well then that's perfectly acceptable

[Koralatov]

Originally Posted by Faust 

So often the way, isn't it.

Yes, unfortunately so. I may have looked really, really dense, but I did learn something new, so that's a bonus!

I think it's completely irrelevant how someone writes. I am not trying to come off as overly politically correct, though it may sound that way. It's just what I happen to think on the matter and I have read linguistics at Uni for a couple of years, so it's not so much my being indifferent towards the matter. It's just more of a hassle to feel bothered by it, unless someone really jumps the shark with their grammatic wrenches. I've yet to come across a particularly horrid example of that here though. I may have missed it which is likely as I only surf two or three sections of these forums.

I'm probably just highly strung on the whole issue. That said, I have come across the occasional post here that is absolutely dire. It's not the lack of capitals or perfect grammar that irks me, but the total disregard for the English language shown in some posts. I've come across posts which were written with all the panache and literary flair of a badly-composed text message. Unfortunately, I can't find any examples right now, but they do occur (especially in the hardware support forums). As I said, I might be highly strung, but I genuinely cannot be bothered to help if someone can't be bothered to make even a partial attempt at writing something approaching standard English. That probably makes me a self-righteous twit, but that's just how I am.

Originally Posted by Doofy 

So anyways. Have we come to a decision on whether we can kill/maim newbies yet?

Yes: killing is out, maiming is fine. Being able to regale your grandkids with tales of how you lost an arm trying to get your MacBook working properly carries a certain kudos (even if they don't appreciate it at the time).

[chris v]

Originally Posted by Railroader 

No thread, just a post.

Was this it?? Next time, I'll recommend something that freezes and crashes, unless you dedicate a better post than this.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by chris v 

Was this it?? Next time, I'll recommend something that freezes and crashes, unless you dedicate a better post than this.

I am terribly sorry. It is a much better post that that one.

Here you go: http://forums.macnn.com/89/macnn-lou...q/#post3589746