Re: Spaces after periods 'n such

[Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>]

On 10/29/2010 10:34 AM, Chris Morton wrote:
> David is 100% correct. This isn't a topic worth debating. End of story.
> Peace out.>  Chris

David's debate highlights that there are people who want to debate 
spaces.  As I said before, this discussion comes up frequently and my 
argument is that there are different preferences and views that 
inevitably lead to controversy, but that the prevailing style guide or 
rules of the document owner should prevail.  Of the documents that I own 
I use two spaces, for all others, I use the rules of my client.  If my 
client says to use one space, then that is what I would use.

In Anon's case, which started this discussion again, the client 
suggested, "One unless it looks funny, then use two."  Well here, Anon 
needs to consider all factors regarding this worn-out discussion.  If 
the client wants one, then use one and remain consistent.  If there is a 
case where using two is more important than using one and that, for 
whatever inconceivable reason, is not negotiable, then use two in all 
cases, for the sake of consistency.  Oh, unless consistency of rules 
(another controversy) creates some intolerable rigidity in 
documentation, in which case, follow Keith's suggestion of, "do what you 
think is right until your boss tells you to change," is a good one for 
helping to create the never-ending contract.  That was an interesting 
one for me when a client said "delete all of these files" and then 
called three weeks after the contract ended, "How do I get all those 
files back?"  Tony's "helpful" discussion of asking for the "hyphenated 
noun cluster and serial comma policy," would likely add many hours to 
Anon's project, given the myriad of discussions and controversies about 
those.

I think there should be a reference list of the overly debated style 
issues that keep cropping up like a beast that will not die with the 
prevailing pro and con arguments.  Anyone who raises one of these 
discussions can just be referred to that list and the discussion can go 
away, but that would be no fun.

Lauren


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