one or two spaces

Dear DMC
 
I have always believed that it is a good idea to leave two spaces after a full stop (period).  This man disagrees very forcefully.  I have no idea if he is right, but this looks like a good topic for discussion by dull men.

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2011/01/space_invaders.html?fb_ref=sm_fb_plugin_activity

 

Best wishes
 
Steve Reszetniak
London

27 July 2012

————-

Dear Steve,

We didn’t realize until we read the article that “one or two spaces” has such a facinating history.

Yes, it it is a good topic for Dull Men’s Club meetings. The discussions are not likely to be as heated as the views expressed by Farhaad Manjoo, the article’s author.

I think the reason may people think two spaces are needed is that, back in the days of typewriters, that’s what typing instructors drilled into them.

It’s probably a generational thing. Use of two spaces will probably die off as the (older) typers who use two spaces die off.

Best wishes,

DMC