The Energon Pub

[Tristar]

I was also taught the two space method but, now I Don't even think I use it. Just checked it feels to akward for me. I was self taught then I took a half a year of typing top of my class becuase the simple fact I was the fastest typist in the class.

I do think I might have lost some speed in wpm department. Does anybody know of a sight where I can test my WPM? Currently and I'm just guessing I can type about 60 words per minute.

I hate watching people H-u-n-t-a-n-d-p-e-c-k. It just drives me up a wall so when I see someone typing that way I just walk away otherwise I'll start asking to type for them.

[SentinelA]

So, one space or two spaces after ending punctuation? I learned to type on an electric/computerized typewriter. Two spaces after ending punctuation was the rule.

It's different now for a variety of reasons.

MLA reference is here:
http://www.mla.org/style_faq3

Just wondering though.

U know that is an interesting question. All of my life I was taught 2 spaces after punctuation...that is until I intered school this last time. Now I have an instructor that insists that there's only 1 space. But that's APA.

[cybercat]

AHAHAHAAH *KATHUNK*

I actually have like THE definitive answer for this!

And it's going to make blood shoot out your eyes so....brace yourself.

MLA used to be two spaces after end punctuation (period, question mark, exclamation point). Until the latest edition of MLA, they've always said 2 spaces. It's a change in the newest edition that it's one space. (Another change, for example, was that in citing websites you no longer need to give the URL).

Now, why would they do that?

Prepare eye-bandages.

To justify a new edition.

Yup. Academic publishing SUCKS. I've seen, for example, (in fact it's open in front of me right now!) the textbook I use to teach my basic linguistics class. It's got a second edition now. You know what's different? They 'updated' a section on ESL (about 2 pages all told) and wrote a longer foreword (so all the page numbers are off). THAT's IT. Publishers make NO MONEY off used textbooks. They only make money off new sales--campus bookstores and the like make money off useds. That pisses off book publishers. So, they make these bogus BS 'new editions' so they can make money.

HK, SO wishing I were joking.

[snavej]

There is a point to 'two spaces after a full stop': it emphasises the break between sentences and thus reduces confusion (hopefully). If software is smart enough, some kind of extra spacing can be added automatically after full stops and the manual 'two spaces' become obsolete.