Re: Write out numbers -- or not?

[linda_sims -at- vanguard -dot- com]

I wrote on 04/05/2007 11:38:05 AM:

> That's a rule that works well for things like business 
> reports/correspondence or school papers (and school is where we all 
> learned it).
> 
> When you're dealing with technical information, however, it's usually 
best 
> to stick to arabic numerals because they are easily and quickly 
> recognizable as numbers. In your place, I'd change both "three"s to "3", 

> and I'd put a comma between "3" and "50-lb" so that it's obvious you're 
> not talking about a 350-lb bag of acid per batch.

I should add that I'd replace "three" with "3" only if there's an 
insistence on having everything utterly consistent (and we all know what's 
said about a foolish consistency). The way Brigitte worded it originally 
seems pretty clear to me and, as Kevin said, it avoids possible confusion 
when talking about the number of 50-lb bags. Clarity trumps consistency.

Lin Sims
The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion 
of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was 
accessed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT. The information contained in this e-mail message, including attachments, is the confidential information of, and/or is the property of, Vanguard. The information is intended for use solely by the individual or entity named in the message. If you are not an intended recipient or you received this in error, then any review, printing, copying, or distribution of any such information is prohibited, and please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and then delete this e-mail from your system.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

Now shipping: Help & Manual 4 with RoboHelp(r) import! New editor,
full Unicode support. Create help files, web-based help and PDF in up
to 106 languages with Help & Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.